The Megapodes: MegaPodiidae (Bird Families of the World) - Hardcover

Jones, Darryl N.; Dekker, René W. R. J.; Roselaar, Cees S.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198546513 ISBN 13: 9780198546511

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1995

Synopsis

Beautifully illustrated and magnificently comprehensive, The Megapodes is the most authoritative guide on the subject available. Distributed over Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, The Philippines, the Nicobar Islands of India, and several southwest Pacific Islands, the Megapodes are heavy-bodied birds of the forest floor (they can fly, but move mostly by walking) who forage for insects, seeds, and fallen fruit. The only birds known to use external heat sources rather than body heat for incubation, their young emerge fully able to fend for themselves and receive no parental care. The first part of the book provides an overview of the family as a whole; describes their taxonomy, distribution, biology, and behavior; and focuses on the physiological, ecological, and behavioral adaptations that have resulted from its unique incubation technique. The second part features 22 species accounts, each of which contains a complete description of the bird in its natural state. Each account is based on the best literature available, the authors' own field research, and information collected from the distinguished efforts of the Megapode Specialist Group. Sonograms are included where possible. This volume--as with others in the Bird Families of the World series--will be indispensable to professional and amateur ornithologists alike.

Bird Families of the World is a new multivolume series of handbooks that will prove indispensable to both the professional scientist and the ever-growing body of amateur ornithologists. Each volume will provide a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on one bird family or several related families. In each book the reader will find: six to nine general chapters on the biology, feeding ecology, breeding behavior, evolutionary relationships, and conservation of birds in the family; specially commissioned color plates by a leading artist; black-and-white illustrations of anatomy and behavior; descriptions of each species that cover appearance, weight, measurements, field characters, voice, habitat, food, breeding behavior, life cycle, range, and status (with distribution map). They will provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date species-level information available.

About this title

About the Author:

Darryl N. Jones is Lecturer in Environmental Sciences at Griffith University. René W. R. J. Dekker is Curator of Birds at the National Museum of Natural History, Leiden. Cees S. Roselaar has a position with the Institute for Systematics and Population Biology at the University of Amsterdam.

Review:

"The 22 species of megapodes are distributed in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, the Philippines, the Nicobar Islands (India) and on some southwest Pacific islands. This monograph is the first about them in over 100 years. It discussed taxonomy and relationships, distribution, biogeography, speciation, general biology and behavior, incubation sites, ecophysiology and adaptations, reproductive behavior and mating systems, evolution of incubation strategies, and conservation. This is essential reading for anyone interested in these fascinating birds. Most highly recommended."--Wildlife Activist

"[A] thorough treatment of a fascinating family of birds...should be in the library of anyone interested in Australasian or in the range of adaptation in birds."--The Wilson Bulletin

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0198546513
• ISBN 13: 9780198546511
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 304
• Illustrator: Perlo Ber Van