Handbook of the Birds of the World, vol. 2.

Volume 2 of the Handbook of the Birds of the World covers New World Vultures to Guineafowl, with a focus on raptors such as Osprey, hawks, eagles, falcons, and Secretarybirds, as well as Galliformes like turkeys, pheasants, grouse, and quails. It features 60 color plates, 302 photographs, and 590 distribution maps. Written by 19 experts from 16 countries, it provides comprehensive species accounts, covering taxonomy, behavior, breeding, and conservation status based on IUCN categories. A must-have for bird enthusiasts and professionals alike.

The Handbook of the Birds of the World, Volume 2, continues the ambitious project of cataloging and illustrating all the birds of the world. This volume, published after the success of Volume 1, covers the orders Falconiformes and Galliformes, making it a treasure trove for enthusiasts of raptors and other iconic bird species.

This volume covers a wide range of species, including diurnal birds of prey such as Osprey, hawks, eagles, falcons, and caracaras, as well as birds with more specialized distributions like New World vultures and Secretarybirds. Galliformes, represented by turkeys, quails, pheasants, partridges, and guineafowl, are also given comprehensive coverage.

The book begins with a foreword by renowned taxonomist Walter J. Bock, who addresses the taxonomic aspects of the Handbook. An introduction follows, detailing the structure of the book and its innovations compared to Volume 1. Notably, the scope of this volume has expanded due to the participation of 19 ornithological experts from 16 different countries, ensuring a truly global perspective on bird species.

This volume is unique in its illustration of raptors and Galliformes, with more than 60 color plates, 302 vibrant color photographs, and 590 detailed distribution maps. The systematics, morphology, behavior, breeding, and conservation status of each species are meticulously detailed, providing readers with a comprehensive resource.

The book’s global scope continues to promote conservation, with each species’ conservation status evaluated according to the IUCN Red List. Many threatened species are covered in detail, emphasizing the challenges they face and the efforts being made to preserve them.

Key Features:

• 60 color plates and 302 color photographs vividly capture each species.
• 590 distribution maps illustrating geographic ranges.
• Comprehensive assessment of each species’ conservation status based on IUCN categories.
• Over 7,000 bibliographical references.

This volume is an essential resource for ornithologists, birdwatchers, and anyone interested in raptors and Galliformes from around the world.