Extreme Birds - Hardcover

Couzens, Dominic

4.36

108 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 000727923X ISBN 13: 9780007279234

Publisher: Collins, 2008

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A beautiful and fascinating portrait of the world's most extreme birds, from the biggest and fastest, to the smelliest and smartest.

Birds are among the most popular and fascinating of all living things. They amaze us with their variety, stun us with their beauty, and intrigue us with their ingenuity. Packed with astonishing facts and absorbing detail, this lavishly illustrated book brings together the extremes of the bird world, including the fastest flyer, the deepest diver, the craftiest builder and the funniest forager.

Featured alongside more conventional record breakers are some truly remarkable birds, such as the male emperor penguin that fasts for four months at a time, the Caledonian crow that uses tools fashioned out of leaves to skewer grubs, and the irrepressible kea that slides down tree trunks just for fun.

An exploration of exceptional forms, bizarre habits and fantastic feats, Extreme Birds reveals the extraordinary and often complex ways in which birds cope with the countless challenges of life.

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Review:

A wonderful collection of bird superlatives... Fascinating facts and beautiful photographs make this one a winner. -- Nancy Bent "Library Journal" (11/01/2008) Anyone interested in bird trivia will enjoy this coffee table book. -- Birdbooker Report 39 "livingthescientific.com" This is a perfect book for nature-loving kids and adults who may -- or may not -- be avid birders. -- Val Cunningham "Star Tribune, Minneapolis, MN" (11/18/2008) Open any page in Extreme Birds and you'll see them in a whole new light...These are truly amazing birds. -- Johanna Weidner "Grand Magazine" (02/28/2009) From colorful to bizarre, the world of birds is very strange indeed. -- C.A. Boylan "Shutterbug" (01/02/2009) Dominic Couzens enthralls the reader with Extreme Birds and the subtitle is accurate.... a veritable Guinness book of Avian Records. -- Jodi DeLong "Chronicle Herald" (12/07/2008) Interesting, accurate, and up to date with recent discoveries.... Lavish photography completes this book, which will have a wide appeal. -- Charles Leck "American Reference Book Annual" Hooked!...I usually read bird books to learn something...I read this book because it is fun. Even non-birder trivia fans will get great enjoyment. -- Roy John "The Canadian Field-Naturalist, Vol. 121" (01/01/2009)

About the Author:

Dominic Couzens has written many books on birds and birdwatching, including two books published by Collins: Identifying Birds by Behaviour and Birds of Britain and Ireland. He is a leader of specialised bird tours both at home and abroad, and is a regular contributor to Birdwatch and BBC Wildlife magazines.

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