Essential Ornithology

Ornithology is a branch of zoology that deals with the study of birds. Feathers, rapid metabolic rate, sturdy yet lightweight skeleton, toothless beaked jaws, a four-chambered heart, and laying hard-shelled eggs are the main characteristics of birds. Their sense of smell is poor and their hearing range is limited. The majority of birds are diurnal. Birds are social and communicate through songs, visual cues, and sounds. They also engage in behaviors including flocking, mobbing of predators, cooperative breeding and hunting. There are a wide range of bird species including ostriches, perching birds, woodpeckers and toucans, birds of prey, waterfowls, herons and storks, owls, hummingbirds and swifts, cranes, parrots and cockatoos, shorebirds, pigeons, and doves. This book explores all the important aspects of ornithology in the present day scenario. It will also serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers.