Synopses & Reviews
In every scientific discipline there is an official language formed of words derived from Latin. Ornithology is a perfect example of how these words can be illuminating. Take Anas acuta, better known as the Northern Pintail, whose scientific name means duck and refers to the male bird's tail. Or pelagic (meaning of, related to, or occurring in sea), an important term for ocean-focused bird lovers.
Latin for Bird Lovers explores and explains over 3,000 Latin words used to describe birds. It is information that is invaluable to birdwatchers worldwide: the words help define the identity and relationships among the nearly 10,000 known bird species; they can also define the species names by color, pattern, and size, help identify parts of the body, refer to the name of the ornithologist who discovered the bird, show where the bird is found, and even detail a specific behavior. The book also profiles twelve great ornithologists, has in-depth features on 20 beloved birds, and is gorgeously illustrated.
Latin for Bird Lovers is for birdwatchers, nature lovers, and anyone interested in the words about birds.
Review
"A beautiful book. The illustrations are exquisite and the colors are very vivid. . . . This would be a wonderful reference book for the bird lover to have on hand." BirdWatching Magazine
Review
"Sheds light on some of the world's most colorful and interesting birds."
Review
"Scientific names, those sometimes cumbersome binomial identifiers, can be more entertaining than we may imagine--a point driven home by Latin for Bird Lovers."
Review
"This beautifully illustrated dictionary of 3,000 bird names trots out enlightening trivia."
Review
"Gorgeous illustrations fill the pages, making this Latin-heavy guide flutter to life with every brush stroke. All I can say is, checking out this book will be a real feather in your cap." The Columbian
Review
“A listing of thousands of names, no matter how informative, could be deadly dry. But Lederer and Burr enliven things with more than 250 colorful and detailed images, genus profiles, stories about famous birders and short hits on topics such as beaks, feathers, bird songs and calls, and migration. It makes for a reference work with entertainment value.” Chicago Tribune
Synopsis
While Latin is officially an "ancient" language, it's useful in so many areas of modern life, including bird watching. Birdwatchers need a universal language when they're speaking about birds, since common names vary by region. Latin for Bird Lovers answers this call, introducing more than 3,000 words to describe birds. Packed with tips on using Latin to identify birds by color, size, and behavior, this gorgeously illustrated, informative guide is perfect for birdwatchers, nature lovers, and both experts and beginners in ornithology and etymology.
Synopsis
You can learn a lot about a bird from its scientific name. The descriptive terms that make up these names can identify species by color, size, or distribution, and may illuminate a hidden history or quality. Latin for Bird Lovers uncovers the secrets behind more than 3,000 scientific names. It also delves into bird behavior and reveals the fascinating discoveries of ornithologists: one debunked the myth that robins sing because they are happy, while another found that birdsong is regionally distinctive. This beautifully illustrated book is for birders, naturalists, and anyone interested in the words behind birds.
About the Author
Dr. Roger Lederer is Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences at California State University, Chico. His expertise is in ecology and ornithology, and he has published over 30 scientific research papers and six books, including Ecology and Field Biology, Amazing Birds, and Birds of New England. He has been consulted by many organizations and individuals, including: the BBC, National Geographic, National Public Radio, National Canadian Television, the Guinness Book of World Records, and New Scientist. He maintains the popular website, ornithology.com.
Carol Burr has a PhD from Case Western Reserve University. She taught literature at California State University, Chico, for 37 years before retiring in 2008. She has authored articles and edited books on women writers and sense of place. Most recently she illustrated a local bird guide The Birds of Bidwell Park.