On Rare Birds
By (Author) Anita Albus
NewSouth Publishing
NewSouth Publishing
1st March 2011
Australia
General
Non Fiction
Endangered species and extinction of species
598
Hardback
288
In this gorgeously illustrated book, Anita Albus recounts the sad histories of several extinct bird species, including the passenger pigeon, the Carolina parakeet, and the great auk. She gives a detailed account of six rare birds: the hermit ibis, the elusive corncrake, the Eurasian nightjar, the barn owl, the northern hawk owl and the kingfisher. She also considers such unique birds as the laughing kookaburra, Australia's famous native kingfisher. Combining natural history and investigative reporting, the book weaves in mythological and cultural material, and, most of all, tells a compelling story.