Synopses & Reviews
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:
- Examines the taxonomy, appearance, behavior, ecology, and conservation of Golden and Grey Plovers
- Explores the differences in plumage, vocalizations, habitat use, breeding, movements, and food
- Contains more than 40 photographs, 150 tables and figures, and many other embellishments
Review
"Written by two authors with over 50 years experience studying tundra plovers between them, this book is as complete an account of their biology as the current state of our knowledge will allow. Every aspect of the ecology of the four species involved is considered in detai. . . . [A] treasure to students and researchers alike. . . . All in all a very nice book. Highly recommended."
--Earthlife Web
Review
"There is plenty for the statistically-minded, and the serious researcher, as well as for the general wader-watcher. If you can't buy it, request it from the library!"
--Geoff Gibbs, Essex Birding
Review
"Byrkjedal and Thompson, research scientists from Norway and Scotland, respectively, have melded their specialties of ecology and animal behavior to produce a thoroughly comprehensive analysis of four species of closely related northern hemisphere shorebirds."
--Choice
Review
"It is a deeply inspired book, the labour of love from a gifted Norwegian/Scottish duo. The book is beautiful for its many original drawings by Ingvar Byrkjedal and for its text, and it provides an incredible, worldwide, compilation of data on the birds' morphology, distribution, population sizes, breeding schedules, breeding behaviour, migration patterns and schedules and diets. If you love, or even just like, plovers and the habitats in which they occur, this is a book for you."
--Theunis Piersma, Ardea
Review
"A well-researched book packed with information. It should appeal to all shorebird enthusiasts, as well as anybody concerned with the ecology of Arctic regions."
--Martin K. McNicholl, North American Bird Bander
Review
"Everything known about these birds is summarized in a very readable way, and the numerous appendices and tables testify to the massive amount of information, with great attention to detail, that has been researched. . . . Birders will appreciate the very detailed discussions of variation, plumage, and molt in the four species. I recommend
Tunda Plovers highly, especially to birders with a serious interest in shorebird biology."
--Dennis Paulson, Birding
Review
"
Tundra Plovers is an ambitious and rewarding comparative treatment of the four species in the genus Pluvialis. [It] is an extraordinarily attractive book for one so filled with hard ornithological information."
--Peter G. Connors, Auk
Review
"This is a highly informative book, well presented and in an attractive format. The authors should be congratulated for producing such an easily readable, yet highly informative text which, I believe, will be the key reference for these birds for many years to come."
--Mark Whittingham, Ibis
Review
"[A] comprehensive review of ecology, behaviour, migrations and biogeography of the genus. The large format and the . . . technique of including extensive detail in appendices and tables at the back of the book allow a wealth of information to be presented; the text is well supported by the numerous photographs and drawings. Arctic and mountain regions fascinate many people; so do shorebirds; not only such specialists but many other birdwatchers will get much use and pleasure from this book."
--Jeremy J.D. Greenwood, Habitat
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [359]-397) and index.
Table of Contents
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