Handbook of the Birds of the WorldVolume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows

Description

Volume 14 of the Handbook of the Birds of the World completes the coverage of the order Passeriformes by examining 17 families and 486 species. This authoritative volume focuses on a diverse range of bird families found across sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, Southeast Asia, and Australasia, from bush-shrikes and helmet-shrikes to drongos, starlings, birds-of-paradise, and Old World sparrows.

This final volume of the series includes standout groups such as the enigmatic vangas of Madagascar, the richly diverse crows and corvids, the socially complex bowerbirds, the iconic birds-of-paradise, and the globally familiar sparrows. Also featured is the peculiar Bornean Bristlehead and rare families such as the New Zealand Wattlebirds and the Stitchbird. Each species account provides in-depth information on morphology, behavior, habitat, distribution, and conservation status.

Rich Visual Content and Scientific Depth

The volume is richly illustrated with:

• 60 color plates depicting detailed identification illustrations of each species
• 536 high-quality photographs showing birds in their natural environments
• 611 distribution maps offering precise visualizations of species’ global ranges
• More than 6,000 bibliographical references, reflecting the most up-to-date scientific literature available at the time of publication

These visual and scientific assets make this volume a crucial reference not only for ornithologists and field researchers but also for birdwatchers, conservationists, and academic institutions around the world.

A Global Perspective on Birdwatching

The foreword by Stephen Moss adds a unique perspective, reflecting on the history and future of birdwatching, with a global view on its evolution as both a hobby and a scientific pursuit.

Featured Families in Volume 14

Key Features at a Glance

• 17 families and 486 passerine species covered in detail
• 60 full-color plates
• 536 habitat photographs
• 611 distribution maps
• 6,000+ scientific references
• Global foreword by Stephen Moss

Whether you are fascinated by the elaborate courtship of birds-of-paradise, intrigued by the intelligence of crows, or interested in the biogeography of starlings and sparrows, this volume offers a rich and comprehensive insight into the diversity of songbirds across the Old World.

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