Woodpeckers of the World: The Complete Guide

(Hardback)

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Description

Woodpeckers remain one of the most popular families of birds, and they are certainly one of the more unusual. Their legendary ability to excavate holes in wood is well known, and they are uniquely adapted for living in trees - though a few species have become more adapted to ground-dwelling. The family ranges from the tiny piculets of tropical forests to the mighty Imperial Woodpecker of Mexico, sadly now extinct. In between there is a considerable variety of species, all of a roughly similar shape and design, inhabiting forests and woodlands through the world except Australasia and Antarctica. Covering 239 species, this book is the first definitive photographic guide to woodpeckers. Detailed text looks in detail at the biology of the birds, with particular emphasis on field identification, along with voice, habitat, status, racial variation and distribution. The text is accompanied by a series of high-quality photographs more than 750 images, carefully selected to highlight identification criteria. Each species entry is completed by an accurate colour range map. A sister to Owls of the World in the Helm Photographic Guides series, Woodpeckers of the World is an informative, fact-filled and beautifully illustrated guide to a group beloved by all birders.

Reviews

A beautiful book * Daily Express *
This is by far the best and most comprehensive set of woodpecker images ever assembled and their overall standard is exceptional. * Rare Bird Alert *
an attractive, accessible and inviting work * Into the Woods and Elsewhere *
this is a great book...the only photographic guide to include all woodpecker species on the planet, and is replete with great photography. * Avian Review *
a glossy and scholarly labour of love. The photographs, as well as being a joy to behold, bring home what a diverse world we live in. * Scotland Outdoors *
exhaustively researched and carefully compiled...a really nice reference book to an attractive and often under-rated group of birds. * The Curious Naturalist *
stunningly illistrated...give[s] the reader an appreciation of the full diversity of this family in a very attractive format. * American Birding Association *

Author Bio

Gerard Gorman is a freelance birder and author based in Hungary. He is widely regarded as Eastern Europe's most accomplished birding guide and is the author of seven books, including The Birds of Hungary (1996), Woodpeckers of Europe (2004) and Birding in Eastern Europe (2006).