Product Description

This book is the first full-color illustrated guide to the field identification of the pigeons and doves of the world. The authors incorporate much recent information about this large family of birds that includes specialist frugivores, seed-eaters, brightly colored tropical species, gregarious migratory species, shy ground-dwellers, tree inhabiters, and more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #447753 in Books
• Published on: 2000-12-11
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 616 pages

From the Inside Flap
Pigeons and doves are a large family of birds occurring throughout the world. This book-the first to be dedicated to the field identification of these birds and to be fully illustrated in color-incorporates much recent information about them.Many species of pigeons and doves are specialist frugivores, say the authors, while others feed on seeds. Most are arboreal, and the tropical species in particular are often brightly colored. The family includes gregarious migratory species as well as shy, ground- dwelling forms such as the exotic crowned pigeons of New Guinea. The comprehensive text is accompanied by 76 exquisite color plates that capture the essence of these varied birds and illustrate all species and subspecies.David Gibbs is a freelance ecologist and naturalist. He has recently worked as a field assistant in the production of wildlife films.

About the Author
Eustace Barnes is a wildlife artist and tour leader specializing in South America where he has travelled extensively. John Cox is one of Britain's foremost bird artists. His work has been included in a number of books; this is his first major book.

Customer Reviews

Worth every penny
This is an excellent book, giving full details on all the pigeon and doves species of the world. Excellent color plates also make the reader very familiar with the different types. I'd recommend this read to the budding aviculturist, old bird breeders, orinthologists, and even the average bird watcher.

Not just "flying rats"...
This (surprisingly hefty) book is an excellent guide to a group of birds that many people have a rather dim view of, due to the sometimes massive flocks of feral rock pigeons (Columba livia, a.k.a. the "flying rat") that can now be found nearly the world over. The text is fairly dry, as is typical of all species accounts (and occasionally depressing, considering the large number of these species designated as being endangered), but the book is a treat for those who enjoy a celebration of the diversity of nature (even the dodos are covered). All of the living species and many major supspecies (and many recently extinct species) are illustrated in a series of excellent and beautiful color plates that will surprise and impress those whose experience with this order of birds does not extend beyond their nearest city park. These are NOT "flying rats". Great for the armchair bird-watcher.