Albatrosses

by Terence Lindsey

Overview

Most albatrosses range across the Southern Hemisphere from Antarctica to Australia and from South Africa to South America. The ferocious air encircling Antarctica is an impossible place for almost all non-aquatic animals, but not for the albatross.

The most distinctive characteristic of albatrosses is that they ride storms. They do not evade storms, or flee them, but climb aboard and ride them – effectively throughout their lives. Aside from a few close relatives among the petrels and shearwaters, they are the only animals that do this.

Albatrosses outlines the life histories of these spectacular birds, and explores some of the main strategies that have evolved to enable them to achieve mastery of one of the most hostile regions on the planet. Complemented by stunning photographs taken from remote locations, this book will be treasured by natural history and bird enthusiasts.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780643098527
Publisher:	CSIRO PUBLISHING
Publication date:	06/22/2008
Series:	Australian Natural History Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	152
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Terence Lindsey is an experienced zoologist, naturalist, ornithologist, writer, photographer and illustrator and has travelled widely throughout Australasia and written extensively on the wildlife of Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea over the past thirty years. For many years he was associated with the Department of Vertebrate Zoology at the Australian Museum, and conducted courses in ornithology at the University of Sydney. He has directed and/or scripted a number of wildlife documentaries for television, and he has written and produced an extensive range of books, articles and encyclopedia entries for leading natural history publishers around the world.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements; Myth and Legend; The Species; The Habitat (the Southern Ocean); 4) Food and Foraging; 5) Flight; 6) Courtship; 7) The Nesting Cycle; 8) Human Impacts; Appendix; Selected References; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"This illustrated guide to albatrosses examines the mythology, habitat and behaviors of these large and hardy seabirds and provides a detailed glimpse of why they are able to endure some of the most inhospitable conditions on the planet. Lindsey, a noted Australian zoologist, ornithologist and writer, discusses the flight habits, courtship and nesting cycles, feeding habits and biological details of these birds for the benefit of ornithology students and bird enthusiasts. General audiences, however, will appreciate the drawings and stunning color photographs from remote locations such as Antarctica, South Africa and Australia."

Book News Inc.

"This illustrated guide to albatrosses examines the mythology, habitat and behaviors of these large and hardy seabirds and provides a detailed glimpse of why they are able to endure some of the most inhospitable conditions on the planet. Lindsey, a noted Australian zoologist, ornithologist and writer, discusses the flight habits, courtship and nesting cycles, feeding habits and biological details of these birds for the benefit of ornithology students and bird enthusiasts. General audiences, however, will appreciate the drawings and stunning color photographs from remote locations such as Antarctica, South Africa and Australia."

From the Publisher