Atlas of Bird Migration: Tracing the Great Journeys of the World's Birds

A comprehensive and authoritative guide to the fascinating mysteries of bird migration. Every year, billions of birds leave their North American breeding grounds for winter quarters farther south. That so many birds migrate so many miles, through life-threatening conditions, and to the same place each year, is simply stunning. The editor of this important and lavishly illustrated new book has selected a cross-section of both the most typical and the most interesting migrants. Colorful maps, photographs, calendars and fact files, with easy-to-read symbols and abbreviations, present an accurate and up-to-date profile of each species. The introduction provides comprehensive background on migration and its great how do the birds know where to go? The latest scientific discoveries are explained here. The bulk of the book is the directory, which chronicles the routes of more than 500 species, The results of new satellite tracking methods are covered, as are current environmental threats and conservation initiatives. The book closes with a comprehensive catalog of migrating species from all continents.