Birds Of The Archipelagos Of Madeira And The Selvagens

This is the first comprehensive field guide dealing exclusively with the birds of this spectacular region. Birds of the Atlantic Islands covers all resident, migrant and vagrant species found in Macaronesia which comprises the Canary Islands, Madeira, Azores and Cape Verde. Over 450 resident, migrant and vagrant species are illustrated with full details of all the plumages and major races likely to be encountered. Species accounts are accompanied with concise text outlining bird identification, status, range, distribution and voice. This authoritative book will not only be an indispensable guide to the visiting birder, but also a vital tool for those engaged in work to conserve and study the avifauna of this region. The Atlantic Islands shelter a remarkable diversity of birds, many seriously endangered with small and vulnerable ranges. It further covers the climate, geography and ornithological history of these incredible islands, as well as practical guidance on the best birdwatching areas.

"In the European network of protected areas, the Selvagens Islands Nature Reserve undeniably occupies a position of paramount importance. From the botanical point of view the islands, or at least two of them (Selvagem Pequena and Ilheu de Fora) are still practically virgin, which probably represents a unique situation in the Atlantic. From the zoological viewpoint, they represent the main "reservoir" of pelagic birds in the sub-tropical zone of the North Atlantic. It is these two features which give the islands their exceptional scientific interest and their value as part of the European natural heritage."--Back cover.

Between the Canary and Madeira Islands, we find the tiny, barren and uninhabited Selvagens. Far from the tourist crowds, these volcanic outcrops house fantastic seabird colonies and unique species of flora and fauna. The Selvagens were colonized by Portugal in 1438. Being virtually destitute of water, they have only had temporary inhabitants like fishermen, bird hunters and scientists. Many stories have been told about buried pirate treasures; we do not know whether those treasures ever existed but this book reveals some spectacular stories of genuine treasure hunts. Born in 1963, the author is a non-fiction author about islands and maritime history. His website is www.aworldofislands.com.

The first comprehensive coverage of a subject that has fascinated natural historians for centuries. Avian vagrancy is a phenomenon that has fascinated natural historians for centuries. From Victorian collectors willing to spend fortunes on a rare specimen, to today's high-octane bird-chasing 'twitchers', the enigma of vagrancy has become a source of obsession for countless birders worldwide. Vagrancy in Birds explores both pattern and process in avian vagrancy, drawing on recent research to answer a suite of fundamental questions concerning the occurrence of rare birds. For each avian family, the book provides an in-depth analysis of recent and historical vagrancy patterns, representing the first comprehensive assessment of vagrancy at a global scale. The accounts are accompanied by hundreds of previously unpublished images featuring many of the most exceptional vagrants on record. The book synthesises for the first time everything we know about the subject, making the case for vagrancy as a biological phenomenon with far-reaching implications for avian ecology and evolution.

Guía de campo que describe e ilustra a todas las especies y subespecies de aves de la Macaronesia (Azores, Madeira, Salvajes, Canarias, Cabo Verde). Novedosa al presentar mapas de distribución detallados, estatus para cada especie por archipiélago y la lista oficial de la Sociedad Ornitológica Canaria (SOC) de las aves de Macaronesia. Incluye las islas atlánticas de Macaronesia, una región que comprende los archipiélagos de las Azores, Madeira, las islas Salvajes, las islas Canarias y las islas de Cabo Verde. Describe 573 especies/subespecies: todas las aves residentes y nidificantes, las visitantes migratorias y las divagantes. Más de 230 mapas de distribución detallados. 150 láminas a todo color. Datos actualizados hasta diciembre de 2010.

Wagtails are noted for their bold plumage patterns and extensive racial variation. Pipits are a large and difficult group which invariably causes vexation to birders on both sides of the Atlantic. This guide covers the 26 species of northern hemisphere pipits and wagtails in detail. It treats identification in the field and in the hand, and includes colour plates, detailed distribution maps and sonograms of songs and calls.