The Handbook of the Birds of the World is the first work ever to illustrate and deal in detail with all the living species of birds. It is the first work to verbally and visually portray each member of an entire Class of the Animal Kingdom. Material in each volume is grouped by families, with an introductory text on general aspects of the group, generously illustrated with colour photographs. This is followed by individual species accounts and their accompanying colour plates illustrating all species, including all significant sexual and subspecific differences, of all of the families...

This is an account of the world of birds, and this volume is 1st of 12. The introductory chapter is illustrated with detailed plates to complement the text, and deals with such diverse aspects as evolutionary history, anatomy, physiology, migration, and systematics. Each chapter covers a different family, headed by a summary box. Photographs illustrate more unusual features, such as courtship behaviour, thermoregulation or feeding techniques. Each chapter is subdivided into sections: systematics; morphological aspects; habitat; general habits; voice; food and feeding; breeding; movements;...