An authoritative study of extinction in birds, with case studies of 20 critically endangered species and the research initiatives designed to save them.
Almost two hundred species of birds have become extinct in the past 400 years, and a similar number today are in imminent danger of following them. The world's conservationists are leading the fight to prevent the demise of these remaining critically endangered birds, with a fair degree of success.
This new book examines the process and issues concerning extinction - how and why it happens and what can be done about it. Whilst man is to blame for many of the causes, such as persecution and habitat loss, species have become extinct on a regular basis since life began.
After several thought-provoking introductory chapters, the book showcases about 20 species on the brink of extinction from around the world and describes the work that is being undertaken to save them. Some are success stories, but a few are not.
This is a subject close to the hearts of all birders and ornithologists and this book, written by a team of leading conservationists, will strike a chord in most of them.
Acknowledgements
Preface
1. The nature of rarity and the rarity of nature
2. The distribution and causes of rarity
3. Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius
4. Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus
5. Brazilian Merganser Mergus octosetaceus
6. Royal Cinclodes Cinclodes aricomae
7. Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis
8. Liben Lark Heteromirafa sidamoensis
9. Yellow-crested Cockatoo Cacatua sulpurea
10. Rarity and extinction on islands
11. Stephens Island Wren Xenicu (Traversia) lyalli
12. Tristan Albatross Diomedea dabbenena
13. Raso Lark Alauda razae
14. Po'ouli Melamprosops phaeosoma
15. Saving the world's rarest birds
16. Kakapo Strigops habroptila
17. Asian vultures Gyps bengalensis, G. tenuirostris, G. indicus
18. Philippine Eagle Pithecophaga jefferyi
19. Alagos Curassow Mitu mitu
20. Spix's Macaw Cyanopsitta spixii
21. Madagascar Pochard Aythya innotata
22. The lost and the found
23. Gurney's Pitta Pitta gurneyi
24. Forest Owlet Heteroglaux blewitti
25. Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris and Eskimo Curlew N. borealis
26. Rarity and extinction in the future
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