Shorebirds, or waders, are a large group of small to medium-sized birds
that occur worldwide, in a wide range of predominantly coastal or
wetland habitats. Some species are largely sedentary whilst others are
amongst the world's most migratory bird species, travelling thousands of
kilometres in a few days. In addition to describing physical behavioural
traits such as feeding, breeding, migration, and particular
physiological adaptations, Shorebirds in Action also covers territorial
behaviour both when feeding and breeding. There is detailed discussion
of the range of species and their different lifestyles together with
feeding strategies, flocking, roosting and the avoidance of predators.
The seasonal features of shorebirds' lives are included, such as the
various plumages that they have when breeding, or not breeding, together
with the intervening periods of moult, during which the birds change
from one plumage to the next. Shorebirds in Action is in two parts -
firstly basic behavioural information and then a photographic section
that explains the specific behaviour being illustrated for that
particular shorebird at the time the photo was taken. Consequently, the
book can be read as a general text, split into chapters that provide the
basic behavioural information and also by reference to the extended
photograph captions which explain the details of the particular
behaviour shown. The book contains excellent photographs of about 180
shorebird species - over three-quarters of the world's total - and
therefore provides a general reference for the identification of
shorebird species and the recognition of their various plumages. It will
be relevant to readers worldwide, including Europe, North America and
Australasia. This comprehensive work can be read as a general text and
also the photographs can be enjoyed separately in their own right.
Detailed references to source material are provided.
