Pictorial Encyclopedia of Birds of the World. Questo articolo non è disponibile.Pictorial Encyclopedia of Birds of the World

Color photographs show hundreds of species of birds from around the world, with descriptions of their environments and behavior

The world of birds is a colorful kingdom populated with more than 8600 species existing in virtually every habitat on the face of the Earth. The resplendent spectrum of color, iridescence and filamentous finery is a miracle to behold. The vocal repertoire of songsters pouring out their song is astounding, and the range of behaviors accompanying this couturial and auditory display sets birds far apart from other animal species, and places them in a realm of beauty they alone inhabit.
Hundreds of millions of birds flee the northern cold, passing on ancient paths called fly ways. Major flyways in the world connect Europe to Africa, Asia to Australia and North America to South America. Bird navigation continues to astound and mystify scientists. Birds are able to orient their position relative to the sun and stars. In order to use the sun for navigation, they must have a sense of time as well. Some birds have 'compasses' in their brains tiny crystals of magnetite that respond to the Earth's magnetic fields.
The most spectacular example of migratory capability is that provided by the Arctic Tern, which breeds above the Arctic Circle in perpetual sunlight, and embarks on a flight over the trackless ocean to the limit of the Antarctic ice pack and returns the following spring to the place it left a yearly flight of over 20.000 miles!
The world of birds is both ancient and modern. Flying birds have long fueled man's imagination, and have kindled his spirit to soar to take his first flight at Kitty Hawk and ride the Eagle to the moon.