Bird

Starred review from November 1, 2007
By now, the DK design formula should be familiar to librarians: its striking combination of copious graphics, elegant typography, and concise text has been seen recently in the reference blockbusters "Animal, Earth, Ocean", and "Rainforest". Prepare to add "Bird" to this list. It is accurately billed as the "definitive visual guide," perhaps an oblique nod to its closest competitor, the "Firefly Encyclopedia of Birds" (2003), which has been called "the ultimate bird reference." Burnie ("Animal") has divided the book into three chapters: the first gives an overview of the physiology and behavior of the class Aves, the second examines the habitats of birds worldwide, and the third surveys 1200 of the world's 10,000 species. The text, though clearly subordinate to the illustrations, treats complex topics with clarity. From flyleaf to fore edge, the visuals are astounding. In fact, to call this book's style "active" rather understates the matter: beaks, feet, wings, or tails poke out of picture frames, into margins, and across page gutters; photographs show birds soaring, swimming, diving, feeding, mating, and perchingin many cases highlighting a species' particular behavioral trait. Several dazzling, two-page, full-color bleeds depict individual birds in extreme close-up or flocks from a distance. An enclosed CD with bird calls and songs adds yet another dimension to a glorious work. BOTTOM LINE The decision to purchase for all libraries is easy. The question of shelf location is much harder, as it would be a pity to deny readers the chance to savor this book fully at home. If you have the budget, buy one copy for reference and one for circulation, although the CD may disappear very quickly. Highly recommended.Robert Eagan, Windsor P.L., Ont.

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2007
This beautiful book, produced in collaboration with the Audubon Society, is a guide to every bird order and family, profiling more than 1,500 species. Here, birds have been captured in color in their native environment by photographers around the world. The introduction provides information on physical characteristics, focusing on the aspects of bird physiology that differentiate them from the rest of the animal kingdom. Following chapters discuss bird behavior and threats to birds and steps being taken to protect them through conservation efforts; supply an overview of bird geography and the ways in which different groups of birds have evolved in different regions over millions of years; and describe all the species, with data on their size, migration, and habitat. The text is interspersed with illustrated accounts of bird-watching sites around the world, and included is a CD of birdsongs and birdcalls.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)