United States
£ GBP
A substantially revised and updated English-language version of Ornitologia Brasileira: uma Introducao, published in Brazil in 1985. Until his death in 1991, Sick made extensive revisions to both the text and plates, and most of the introductory chapters have been rewritten - a new chapter on conservation reviews the current problems facing Brazil's avifauna. The only comprehensive scientific treatment of Brazil's 1635 bird species, it lists every individual Brazilian species in systematic order, with detailed accounts for most, plus extensive treatment of the characteristics of each bird family, and an analysis of the composition of the Brazilian avifauna.
Foreword (to the Brazilian edition) 1.1 Morphoclimatic Domains 1.2 Terrain Types and Their Avifauna 1.3 Principal Habitats of Brazilian Birds Ch. 2 A Short History of Ornithology in Brazil, from The Sixteenth Century to the Early Twentieth Century Ch. 3 Conservation in Brazil 3.1 History of Conservation in Brazil 3.2 Conservation Units 3.3 The Minimal Critical Size of Ecosystems Projects 3.4 Conservation Problems, Especially in Amazonia 3.5 Atlantic Forest and Calcareous Forest 3.6 Reforestation, Faunal Dependence and Environmental Preservation 3.7 Pollution: Birds as Bioindicators 3.8 Illegal Trade in Birds: New Perspectives 3.9 New Orientation Ch. 4 Biogeography and Speciation Ch. 5 The Birds 5.1 Birds of the Neotropics 5.2 Fossil Birds 5.3 Categories of Brazilian Birds 5.4 Population Analyses and Biodiversity 5.5 Sources Illustrated Guide to the Orders and Families of Brazilian Birds Ch. 6 Family and Species Accounts General Bibliography Species Index: Scientific Names Species Index: English Names
"The combination of a perfect work of translation, a valuable contribution to Brazilian ornithology and a more experienced publisher has made this book a must for English readers interested in Brazilian, or, indeed, in South American birds."
- Thais Martins, Ibis
"Helmut Sick was one of the most dedicated and active ornithologists ever to work in South America [...] [This book is] of great scientific value, yet adopting the best ideas from 'old fashioned' natural histories, and it will stand as a fitting epitaph to its author. It is certainly enjoyable and informative."
- The Environmentalist
