Raptors are formally classified into five families and include birds-such as eagles, ospreys, kites, true hawks, buzzards, harriers, vultures, and falcons-that are familiar and recognized by many observers. These diurnal birds of prey are found on every continent except Antarctica and can thrive in seemingly inhospitable spots such as deserts and the tundra. They have powerful talons and hooked beaks for cutting and tearing meat, and keen binocular vision to aid in their hunting prowess. Because of their large size, distinctive feeding habits, and long-distance flight patterns, raptors intrigue humans and have been the subject of much general interest as well as extensive scientific research. Keith L. Bildstein has watched and studied raptors on five continents and is well prepared to explain their critical importance, not only as ecological entities but also as inspirational tokens across natural and human-dominated landscapes. His book offers a comprehensive and accessible account of raptors, including their evolutionary history, their relationships to other groups of birds, their sensory abilities, their general natural history, their breeding ecology and feeding behavior, and threats to their survival in a human-dominated world. Biologically sound but readable, Raptors is a nontechnical overview of this captivating group. It will allow naturalists, birders, hawk-watchers, science educators, schoolchildren, and the general public, along with new students in the field of raptor biology, to understand and appreciate these birds, and in so doing better protect them.

About the Author

Keith L. Bildstein is Sarkis Acopian Director of Conservation Science at the Acopian Center for Conservation Learning, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. He is the author of Raptors, Migrating Raptors of the World, and White Ibis, and coauthor of The Raptor Migration Watch-Site Manual and Raptor Watch, and coeditor of many books, including most recently The State of North America's Birds of Prey.

Reviews

The text is well written, yet contains significant information the general reader will consider esoteric. Clearly, this is a labor of love for the author and it shows on every page. Any individual keenly interested in birds of prey will find this an entertaining read. Libraries with strong ornithological holdings will want a copy, but libraries with limited natural science sections may also find it attractive.

* Choice *

A clarifying perspective on a very complex subject. [Bildstein] notes the many deficiencies in our knowledge and the possible ways we can fill the gaps. Easy to read, yet still maintains a very high level of scientific objectivity.

* The Canadian Field-Naturalist *

A superb summary of biological knowledge of birds of prey worldwide. A very fine distillation of current knowledge and theories, with a global scope, arranged in an interesting and sometimes novel way that will keep any enquiring reader entertained and informed.

* Birdwatch *

Raptors is a book of passion by a world-renowned raptor conservation biologist whose fascination, wealth of knowledge, and experience comes through clearly. This book will be useful to raptor ecologists and biologists, graduate students working on birds of prey across the globe, and the wildlife and nature conservation fraternity. Simple and understandable language means it can also be appreciated by lay people with interest in natural history, including birdwatchers.

* Conservation Biology *



Book Information
ISBN 9781501705793
Author Keith L. Bildstein
Format Hardback
Page Count 336
Imprint Cornell University Press
Publisher Cornell University Press
Weight(grams) 907g