Cornell Lab of Ornithology Handbook of Bird Biology Hardcover – 21 November 2004

Complete and useful in describing all aspects of bird biology, ecology, and behavior. And has a fat chapt er on how to birdwatch! Only downside....it is too heavy to read comfotably without being placed on a table.

Used book advertized as in satisfactory condition. Book received in excellent condition. Book had been in a public library reference collection. There are 5 covered over places on the end sheets where the library's name is written. Finally I get to keep a book, " For Reference. Not to be taken from this room."

The folks at Cornell have done it again. This is a huge book, packed full of information, but it is also a joy to read. Even though it supplies plenty of the "encyclopedic" material, it's a bit reminiscent of David Attenborough's "Life of Birds" DVD, in that it highlight some of the "gee-whiz" aspects of birds, such as egg mimicry, artistic bower construction, lymphatic penises in ducks, and so forth. There was a surprising section on nocturnal birding by ear, which I had never seen addressed. They seem to have covered every topic and then some.If you have only a casual interest in birds, this book may be overkill, but if you are a birder or ornithology student I'm sure you'll enjoy deepening your appreciation and understanding of birds with the help of this book.

Great book on Ornithology and a must have for serious birders interested in more than just identifying birds in the field. My one complaint is the inclusion of Alan Feducia's ideas on avian evolution. It's pretty much standard thinking (supported by irrefutable discoveries) that birds evolved fromTheropod dinosuars. The evidence is now overwhelming and continued support of Feducia's claims is a liability to the credibility of this volume. Perhaps that has changed in version 3.

Without a doubt this is the single most comprehensive work on bird biology ever written. The content is exhaustive and logically laid out. The book is indexed to find content easily and provides a great section on birding. This book is perfect for all audiances including professional and amature and would make a great additional to any birders library. The only book that might surpass this work is the new edition scheduled for release sometime during the smmer of next year.