Tundra Plovers: The Eurasian, Pacific and American Golden Plovers and Grey Plover (Poyser Popular Bird Books)

This groundbreaking book on shorebirds examines the taxonomy, appearance, behavior, ecology, and conservation of Golden and Grey Plovers, and compares and contrasts their natural history and biogeography. It gives detailed accounts on all aspects of their lifestyle including feeding, mating, parental care, moults, migration, and avoidance of predators. The authors' first hand experiences add to its value. Tundra Plovers explores the differences in plumage, vocalizations, habitat use, breeding, movements, and food. The connections between phylogeny, biogeography, and behavior will be of interest because the authors have focussed on the differences between the sexes as well as the four species. Byrkjedal has also contributed all of the wonderful color and line illustrations. More than 40 photographs, 150 tables and figures, and many other embellishments complete this definitive book.

Key Features:

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Examines the taxonomy, appearance, behavior, ecology, and conservation of Golden and Grey Plovers

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Explores the differences in plumage, vocalizations, habitat use, breeding, movements, and food

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Contains more than 40 photographs, 150 tables and figures, and many other embellishments

Examines the taxonomy, appearance, behavior, ecology, and conservation of golden and grey plovers, and compares their natural history, emphasizing links between phylogeny, biogeography, and behaviOR (booknews@booknews.com) The authors' first-hand experiences of these birds and their haunts are interwoven with detailed accounts of all aspects of lifestyle, including feeding, mating, avoidance of predators, and migration. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews@booknews.com)

Includes bibliographical references (p. [359]-397) and index.

List of plates ix

List of figures xiii

List of tables xvii

Foreword by Dr Derek Ratcliffe xix

Preface xxiii

Acknowledgements xxix

1. The tundra plovers: an introduction 1

2. Tundra plovers and their allies 34

3. Taxonomy and geographical variation 44

4. Plumages and moults 61

5. Phylogeny and biogeography 89

6. Breeding distribution, population trends and status 102

7. Breeding season: breeding schedules and nesting 125

8. Breeding season: social behaviour 155

9. Breeding season: sex roles and parental behaviour 183

10. Migration and non-breeding distributions 207

11. Behaviour and ecology in the non-breeding season 241

12. Diet: food and feeding 258

13. Associations with other birds 272

14. Conservation 278

Appendix 1: Scientific names of birds and mammals mentioned in the book 291

Appendix 2: Plumage variation in Eurasian Golden Plovers in Norway 295

Appendix 3: Descriptions of plumages of the tundra plovers 299

Appendix 4: The phylogeny of the tundra plovers (by Godtfred A. Halvorsen, Ingvar Byrkjedal &D.B.A. Thompson) 308

Appendix 5: Breeding densities in different parts of the world 328

Appendix 6a: Nest site habitats of Grey Plover 330

Appendix 6b: Nest site habitats ofEurasian Golden Plover 331

Appendix 6c: Nest site habitats of Pacific Golden Plover 333

Appendix 6d: Nest site habitats ofAmerican Golden Plover 334

Appendix 7. Duration of incubation 336

Appendix 8: Sequences of tonal element in trills 337

Appendix 9. Breeding season alarm calls 338

Appendix 10: Geographical and temporal distribution of museum specimens used in the construction of migration routes and phenologies 345

Appendix 11: Geographical distribution of references used for the migration charts and winter distribution maps 353

Appendix 12: Numbers of Grey Plovers counted or estimated in various parts of their wintering range 355

Appendix 13: Winter populations of Eurasian Golden Plovers in parts of their range 357

Appendix 14: Numbers of American Golden Plovers counted in winter on aerial surveys along the coasts of South America 358

References 359

Tables 398

Index 412