Handbook of the Birds of the World - Volume 1: Ostrich to Ducks

The Handbook of the Birds of the World (HBW) is an ambitious and comprehensive project, and the first volume, Ostrich to Ducks, represents the emblematic beginning of this monumental series, published in 1992. It covers 27 bird families, from ostriches to ducks, featuring species that range from geographically localized groups, such as cassowaries and kiwis, to globally distributed seabirds and waterbirds, including penguins, pelicans, and ducks.

This volume begins with a preface by Christoph Imboden, introducing the HBW project, followed by a detailed 38-page introduction on bird biology, establishing the foundation for the in-depth treatment of each family.

Highlighted Features

• Preface by Christoph Imboden introducing the HBW project
• Coverage of 27 bird families, including ostriches, kiwis, penguins, albatrosses, ducks, and more
• 14 color anatomical plates and 50 color bird plates
• 382 stunning bird photographs and 568 distribution maps
• More than 6,000 bibliographic references

Contents

• Order Struthioniformes
• Family Struthionidae: 1 genus, 1 species
• Family Rheidae: 1 genus, 2 species
• Family Casuariidae: 1 genus, 3 species
• Family Dromaiidae: 1 genus, 1 species
• Family Apterygidae: 1 genus, 5 species
• Order Tinamiformes
• Family Tinamidae: 9 genera, 47 species
• Order Sphenisciformes
• Family Spheniscidae: 6 genera, 18 species
• Order Gaviiformes
• Family Gaviidae: 1 genus, 5 species
• Order Podicipediformes
• Family Podicipedidae: 6 genera, 22 species
• Order Anseriformes
• Family Anhimidae: 2 genera, 3 species
• Family Anatidae: 51 genera, 174 species