Volume 12 of the Handbook of the Birds of the World, Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees, covers 15 families, predominantly from Africa, Asia, and Australasia. The volume includes 56 color plates, 436 photographs, and 638 distribution maps. The Foreword by Kevin Caley explores the evolution of fossil birds, offering insights into the long history of avian species.
Volume 12, Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees continues the comprehensive coverage of bird families in the HBW series, focusing on 15 families of passerines primarily from Africa, Asia, and Australasia, with some North American representation. The volume begins with the enigmatic Picathartes of tropical Africa and covers a wide range of species, including the diverse group of babblers (309 species) and the diminutive parrotbills of Eurasia. The exploration continues with the Australian region’s logrunners, whistlers, fairy-wrens, thornbills, and treecreepers, highlighting the ecological diversity of the area.
The journey through avifauna concludes with the family of Tits and Chickadees (Paridae), which includes some of the most familiar and well-researched birds, such as the Great Tit. The birds featured in this volume span a vast range of habitats, from tropical forests to arid zones and open plains, offering a fascinating glimpse into the adaptability of bird species across different environments.
In this volume’s foreword, Kevin Caley presents a compelling discussion on fossil birds, revealing that fossil records exist for approximately 2,000 extinct bird species out of the estimated 1.6 million species that have existed during the 150 million years of avian history. Caley’s contribution offers an engaging and insightful look at the long and complex history of birds on Earth, supported by his original illustrations.
This volume is a rich resource for ornithologists, birdwatchers, and enthusiasts interested in the wide diversity of species in the African, Asian, and Australasian regions. The volume’s extensive use of illustrations, distribution maps, and photographs makes it a valuable tool for anyone studying or observing bird species worldwide.
| Order PASSERIFORMES | |
| Family Picathartidae (Picathartes) | Hazell Thompson |
| Family Timaliidae (Babblers) | Nigel Collar & Craig Robson |
| Family Paradoxornithidae (Parrotbills) | Craig Robson |
| Family Pomatostomidae (Australasian Babblers) | Jamie Matthew |
| Family Orthonychidae (Logrunners) | Walter Boles |
| Family Eupetidae (Jewel-babblers and allies) | Walter Boles |
| Family Pachycephalidae (Whistlers) | Walter Boles |
| Family Petroicidae (Australasian Robins) | Walter Boles |
| Family Maluridae (Fairywrens) | Ian Rowley & Eleanor Russell |
| Family Dasyornithidae (Bristlebirds) | Phil Gregory |
| Family Acanthizidae (Thornbills) | Phil Gregory |
| Family Epthianuridae (Australian Chats) | Jamie Matthew |
| Family Neosittidae (Sittellas) | Richard Noske |
| Family Climacteridae (Australasian Treecreepers) | Richard Noske |
| Family Paridae (Tits and Chickadees) | Andrew Gosler & Peter Clement |
Key Features:
- Foreword by Kevin Caley on the evolution of fossil birds and their historical significance.
- 15 bird families covered, ranging from the Picathartes to the Tits and Chickadees, with detailed species accounts and family descriptions.
- 56 color plates and 436 photographs, showcasing the beauty and diversity of species across different regions.
- 638 distribution maps help illustrate the global range of species covered in the volume.
- Approximately 4,000 bibliographical references supporting the scientific depth of the content.
This volume completes the broad spectrum of species formerly grouped under Muscicapidae and transitions into the tit/creeper section of bird classifications, providing an in-depth look at some of the most captivating species of the Old and New World.
