Product Description

The hummingbird is a compact wonder of physiology, and has long been a source of fascination for observers of the natural world. This tiny creature is a record breaker on many fronts, from its highly efficient use of food for energy to its staggeringly impressive annual long-distance migrations. The mystery and achievement of the hummingbird has clearly made its mark.

A zoologist by training and a bird lover by nature, author Robert Burton marries a rigorous scientific knowledge about these unique birds with an engaging appreciation for and a delight in his subject.

In lively and informative text, Burton introduces the hummingbird and deftly explores its natural history, its essential relationship with plant life, the miracle of its flight, its elaborate social life as well as its nesting behavior and renowned migratory habits. Also addressed is the hummingbird's rich relationship with humans, including its place in myth and legend. Burton also discusses the post-contact trade in hummingbird feathers, which has significantly depleted its populations, and the current threats to its habitat.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1463308 in Books
• Published on: 2001-10-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 160 pages

From Library Journal
A respected English naturalist and zoologist, Burton is the author of some 30 books on birdfeeders, eggs, the seashore, behavior, roadside nature, and other wildlife themes. His subject here is the perennially popular hummingbird. Often called the jewels or butterflies of the bird world, hummingbirds have long attracted our attention and contributed to our awe of nature. Besides being brilliantly colored they sport such names as ruby topaz, purple-throated mountain gem, long-tailed sylph, and magenta-throated woodstar they can fly backwards and sometimes even enter a semihibernating state. These creatures are well served by Burton's book. The authoritative text is divided into easy-to-read chapters on general hummingbird biology, flight, flowers, behavior, migration, nesting, and the place of "hummers" in human lore, myth, and history. Accompanying the prose are 90 dramatic and high-quality color plates by some well-known photographers. There are dozens of books on hummingbirds, but this is a worthy, if somewhat pricey, addition to most collections. Highly recommended. Henry T. Armistead, Free Lib. of Philadelphia
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Hummingbirds are truly among nature's jewels--tiny, iridescent, and able to perform feats of aerial magic. They hold continued fascination for us. Burton, author of a number of books on birds, now writes about these birds he saw for the first time in Arizona and remembers how he searched the scientific literature to learn more about them. In an informal style, the author reviews the body of scientific knowledge about hummingbirds. Of course, they are famous for their flight habits--no other bird can hover for extended periods or fly backward--and Burton explains their technique in lay language. Other chapters cover the mutual dependence of hummingbirds and flowers, the tremendous migrations that many species undertake, and the hummingbird's relationship with humans. Full of fascinating facts and spectacularly illustrated with photographs, this is an excellent choice for libraries wanting to update their bird collections. Nancy Bent
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
Photographically stunning ... but it would be a shame to ... not pay close attention to the text. (Pete Cotton Ibis [British Ornithologists Union] 2002)

A vivid tale, underpinned by the best of scientific knowledge... One of the best written books I have read. (Roy John Canadian Field-Naturalist 2002)

Full of fascinating facts and spectacularly illustrated with photographs (Nancy Bent Booklist 20011124)

Authoritative text is divided into easy-to-read chapters ... high-quality color plates ... Highly recommended. (Henry T. Armistead Library Journal 20010901)

More than a field guide or a basic biological resource of hummingbirds... recommended. (Cari Ringelheim American Reference Book Review 20020515)

Illustrated with beautiful photographs ... a complete life history. (Globe and Mail )

Fascinating descriptions of hummingbird physiology and behavior, and every turn of the page yields more delightful photographs. (Wildlife Activist )

Exquisite, vibrantly colored photographs... represents what may be one of the smartest and most entertaining books about the 'flying jewel.' (Neil Sperry's Gardens Magazine )