Birds That Leave Their Mark takes readers on an engaging journey into the avian world of South-West Europe, focusing on the fascinating signs and tracks that birds leave in their daily lives. Focusing on the birds of South-West Europe, this richly illustrated book by Luisa Abenza is a treasure for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, providing a deeper understanding of the connections between birds and their environments.
The book features a foreword by the renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, who shares her personal reflections on the significance of birds in her life, drawing readers in with heartfelt stories and observations.
This guide goes beyond traditional identification, offering insights into understanding bird behavior through the subtle signs of avian life, from footprints and droppings to calls and interactions. With detailed illustrations and photographs, readers will learn to interpret the traces left by birds and recognize the subtle indicators of avian life in their surroundings.
Key features of this book include:
A detailed introduction to bird-tracking, grouping by foot type, feathers, and skulls, along with a footprint gallery.
In-depth species accounts featuring gulls, wildfowl, cranes, herons, waders, steppe birds, gamebirds, diurnal birds of prey, owls, woodpeckers, cuckoos, corvids, pigeons, doves, passerines, and exotic birds.
Beautiful illustrations and photographs for each species, showcasing their unique signs and tracks.
Insights into conservation and ecological awareness, encouraging readers to observe and protect the natural world.
The species accounts include:
· Gulls: Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull
· Wildfowl: Mallard, Marbled Duck, Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Great Cormorant, Greater Flamingo, Eurasian Coot
· Cranes, Herons, and similar: Common Crane, White Stork, Eurasian Spoonbill, Grey Heron, Cattle Egret, Northern Bald Ibis, Black-crowned Night Heron, Western Swamphen, Common Moorhen
· Waders: Pied Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Northern Lapwing, Little Ringed Plover, Collared Pratincole, Eurasian Woodcock, Eurasian Curlew, Sanderling, Common Sandpiper
· Steppe Birds: Great Bustard, Little Bustard, Eurasian Stone-curlew, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse
· Gamebirds: Western Capercaillie, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Common Quail
· Diurnal Birds of Prey: Cinereous Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Bearded Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Golden Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Osprey, Red Kite, Booted Eagle, Common Buzzard, European Honey Buzzard, Western Marsh Harrier, Northern Goshawk, Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Black-winged Kite, Common Kestrel
· Owls: Eurasian Eagle-owl, Tawny Owl, Western Barn-owl, Long-eared Owl, Little Owl, Eurasian Scops Owl
· Woodpeckers and Cuckoos: Iberian Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Wryneck, Common Cuckoo, Great Spotted Cuckoo
· Corvids: Northern Raven, Rook, Carrion Crow, Red-billed Chough, Eurasian Jay, Western Jackdaw, Eurasian Magpie, Iberian Magpie
· Pigeons and Doves: Eurasian Collared-dove, Common Wood Pigeon
· Passerines and other small- and medium-sized birds: Red-backed Shrike, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Nightjar, Eurasian Hoopoe, European Bee-eater, White Wagtail, Eurasian Skylark, Eurasian Nuthatch, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Robin
· Exotic Birds: Monk Parakeet
Birds That Leave Their Mark is structured to combine scientific knowledge with accessible storytelling, encouraging readers to observe and connect with the wildlife around them. Abenza’s approach promotes empathy and curiosity, inspiring a new generation of birdwatchers to engage with nature actively.
As conservation and ecological awareness become increasingly important, this book reminds us of the beauty and complexity of our natural surroundings, urging us to pay attention to the signs that tell the stories of the birds in our midst.
