| Reviews |
| - '...illustrated to a very high standard. The text is both informative and easy to read as it uses a slightly larger font size than in some handbooks.' - Jean Torrance, Scottish Bird Review
- 'In summary, "The Cuckoos" is a good review text of this fascinating group of birds that will serve as a reference text for many years to come. The strength of this book lies in the equal treatment of all cuckoo species whether they lay eggs in their own nests or in those of another species.' - Charles Deeming, Hatchery Consulting & Research
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| Description | | - The most up-to-date and comprehensive study of this most fascinating family of birds: another much-anticipated volume in the renowned Bird Families of the World series
- Contains much new and previously unpublished data, including a complete evolutionary tree of cuckoo species based on molecular genetics and a new analysis of species based on songs
- Provides information on the breeding biology and life histories of all cuckoo species
- Beautifully illustrated with colour plates painted by Karen Klitz showing adults of all species, as well as halftones, maps, and line figures
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The cuckoos are the most variable birds in social behavior and parental care: a few cuckoos are among the most social of all birds and rear their young in a common nest; most cuckoos are caring parents that rear their own young with some females laying a few eggs in the nests of others; while many cuckoo species are brood parasites who leave their eggs in the nests of other birds to rear, with
their young maturing to kill their foster nestmates. In The Cuckoos
, Robert B. Payne presents a new evolutionary history of the family based on molecular genetics, and uses the family tree to explore the origins and diversity of their behaviour. He traces details of the cuckoos' biology to their original sources, includes descriptions of previously unpublished field observations, and reveals
new comparisons of songs showing previously overlooked cuckoo species. Lavishly illustrated with specially commissioned colour plates and numerous maps, halftones, and line drawings, The Cuckoos
provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date account of this family yet available.
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Readership: Anyone with an interest in ornithology, whether amateur or professional.
| Contents |
Part 1
1.
Introduction
2.
Evolution and Classification
3.
Biogeography and Speciation
4.
Habitats and conservation
5.
Feeding ecology
6.
Breeding biology
7.
Brood parisitism
8.
Seasonality and climatic adaptation
Part 2
Species Accounts
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| Authors, editors,
and contributors |
Robert B. Payne, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan
Illustrated by Karen Klitz
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The specification in this catalogue, including without
limitation price, format, extent, number of illustrations,
and month of publication, was as accurate as
possible at the time the catalogue was compiled.
Occasionally, due to the nature of some contractual restrictions, we
are unable to ship a specific product to a particular territory.
Jacket images are provisional and liable to change before publication.
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