Handbook of the Birds of the World, vol. 3.

Volume 3 of the Handbook of the Birds of the World covers 30 families of birds, from the singular Hoatzin to Auks, including waterbirds like rails, sandpipers, gulls, terns, and auks. Unique species like the Kagu, Plains-wanderer, and Sunbittern are also featured. The volume contains 60 color plates, 384 photographs, and 577 distribution maps. It includes detailed species accounts, behavioral insights, and conservation status, supported by over 8,000 bibliographical references. This essential resource for ornithologists and bird lovers is accompanied by a foreword on art and nature by Robert Bateman.

The Handbook of the Birds of the World, Volume 3, spans an impressive 30 bird families, covering a wide range of unique species from diverse habitats. This volume, which opens with a foreword by artist and naturalist Robert Bateman, explores some of the most unusual and fascinating bird families, including those with only one species, such as the Hoatzin, Limpkin, and Sunbittern of South America, the Crab Plover of the Middle East, the Ibisbill from Central Asia, the endangered Kagu of New Caledonia, and the Australian Plains-wanderer.

In addition, the book delves into forest birds such as the mesites of Madagascar and trumpeters of South America, as well as species that thrive in open landscapes, including buttonquails, seriemas, bustards, thick-knees, and seedsnipes. However, the majority of the volume focuses on families of waterbirds, with detailed sections on rails, gallinules, and coots (133 species), sandpipers, snipes, and phalaropes (86 species), skuas (7 species), plovers (67 species), gulls (51 species), terns (44 species), and auks (22 species), among others.

This volume highlights significant ornithological contributions and taxonomic discussions, such as the reclassification of the Plains-wanderer and debates surrounding the taxonomically controversial Hoatzin. The comprehensive species accounts include descriptions of behavior, habitats, feeding, breeding, and conservation status.

An innovative feature in this volume is the inclusion of voice descriptions for families like Gruidae (Cranes) and Rallidae (Rails), offering a more complete understanding of these species. With a total of 60 color plates and 384 stunning color photographs, the visual appeal of the volume is matched by its scholarly depth. Additionally, 577 distribution maps help illustrate the global range of each species, and the volume includes over 8,000 bibliographical references, making it an essential resource for ornithologists and birdwatchers alike.

Key Features:

• Covers 30 bird families, including the rare Kagu, Hoatzin, and Sunbittern
• 60 colour plates and 384 photographs.
• 577 distribution maps.
• Over 8,000 bibliographical references for further study.

This detailed exploration of waterbirds, forest species, and open landscape dwellers makes this volume indispensable for anyone passionate about birdlife and conservation.