What Is a Bird?

A large-format, beautifully illustrated look at the natural history of birds

There are some 10,000 bird species in existence today, occupying every continent and virtually every habitat on Earth. The variety of bird species is truly astounding, from the tiny bee hummingbird to the large flightless ostrich, making birds one of the most diverse and successful animal groups on the planet. Taking you inside the extraordinary world of birds, What Is a Bird? explores all aspects of these remarkable creatures, providing an up-close look at their morphology, unique internal anatomy and physiology, fascinating and varied behavior, and ecology. It features hundreds of color illustrations and draws on a broad range of examples, from the familiar backyard sparrow to the most exotic birds of paradise.

A must-have book for birders and armchair naturalists, What Is a Bird? is a celebration of the rich complexity of bird life.

• An absorbing and beautifully presented exploration of the natural history of birds
• Integrates physiological adaptations with ecology and behavior
• Features a wealth of color photographs and explanatory figures
• Uses scanning electron microscope imagery to provide a rare close-up view of structures not normally visible
• Provides insights into our complex relationship with birds, from our enduring fascination with them to the threats they face and the challenges of conservation

About the Authors

Tony D. Williams is professor of biological sciences at Simon Fraser University and a fellow of the American Ornithological Society. He is the author of Physiological Adaptations for Breeding in Birds (Princeton) and The Penguins .

Scott McWilliams is professor of wildlife ecology and physiology at the University of Rhode Island.

Julia A. Clarke is the John A. Wilson Professor in Vertebrate Paleontology at the University of Texas at Austin.

Elizabeth MacDougall-Shackleton is professor of biology at Western University in Ontario.

Scott MacDougall-Shackleton is chair of the Department of Psychology at Western University in Ontario.

Frances Bonier is a field biologist with a research focus on the ways animals respond to diverse challenges, including parasites, urbanization, and climate change.

Chad Eliason is a postdoctoral fellow at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.