A Handbook to the Swallows and Martins of the World - Softcover

Turner, Angela; Rose, Chris

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0747032025 ISBN 13: 9780747032021

Publisher: Helm, 1989

Synopsis

This reference guide gives general details about the swallows and martins of the world. These include appearance, the basic coloration and differences between the sexes and immatures and the function of other areas of colouring. Several species within the same geographical area are often segregated by feeding in different habitats or at different heights or by eating different size-classes of insects. The two sub-families, one being the two river martins, the other containing about 72 species mainly in the genus hirundo, are dealt with, including their distribution and migration patterns. Feeding, courtship and breeding habits are considered, together with details of nesting sites, clutch size, incubation and life-span. Finally, the population sizes of the various species are examined, noting that whilst many have expanded their range by using man-made structures, forest species probably remain small and one species, the Red Sea swallow is known from only one specimen. The book follows the same approach, style and presentation as "The Herons Handbook" published in 1985. It is illustrated by the winner of the prestigious "British Birds Illustrator of the Year Award" and the author has contributed to many scientific papers and journals including BBC's "Wildlife Magazine".

About this title

About the Authors

Since studying their feeding behaviour as part of her doctorate, Angela Turner has been fascinated by swallows. She has written many papers and books on these birds, and is the author of Handbook to the Swallows and Martins of the World (Helm) and The Swallow (Hamlyn). She is Editor of the journal Animal Behaviour.

Chris Rose is an internationally acclaimed wildlife artist who specialises in wildlife within the landscape.

Edition details

• Publisher: Helm
• Publication date: 1989
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0747032025
• ISBN 13: 9780747032021
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrator: Rose Chris
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288