Measuring Birds / Vögel Vermessen

Language: Bilingual in English and German

Developed by a team of field and museum ornithologists, this publication is the first comprehensive presentation of a large number of different measurements that can be taken on birds since the 1931 treatise of Baldwin, Oberholser and Worley, published in the Scientific Publications of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

With the aid of detailed illustrations this handy volume offers concise instructions and recommendations on how to measure birds. Problems with particular measurement techniques are discussed, as are accuracy, reliability, and comparability of measurements, the numbering of flight feathers, skull ossification, determining weight, and appropriate measuring tools. A comprehensive glossary and list of references round off this useful book. Printed on durable water-resistant paper and with an innovative binding, this manual has been explicitly designed for use in the field and for taxidermy.

An absolute must for bird ringers, museum curators, taxidermists and everyone concerned with morphometry.

Preface 5

1. Why measure? 8
2. Accuracy and reliability of measurements 13
3. Comparison of measurements on fresh and dried specimens 17
4. Numbering of flight feathers 23
5. Measuring live birds 31
6. Skull ossification as an agein criterion in passerines 42
7. Weight (body mass) 47
8. Equipment for measuring 51
9. Bird measurements in detail 61
10. References 104
11. Index 110

"For anyone needing to take or compare biometrics of birds, either from specimens or live birds, or indeed to compare the two, this is the first dedicated concise reference book available. It has simple, clear illustrations and explanations of the different ways measurements can be taken, highlighting those that are generally used as standard. [...] This pocket-sized, sturdy (spiral-bound) weather-resistant book is very nicely produced and [...] is destined to become a standard feature of birdringers' and taxonomists' equipment alike. [...] The authors clearly know their subject extremely well, and have the combined experience of working with specimens and live birds. The book is written in English and German, with the text in each language in parallel on each page. [...] Excellent line illustrations mean that no uncertainty remains with regard to the exact measuring points. Besides recommending methods for standard measurements in ornithology, the book additionally lists for each measurement the historical differences that have existed in taking them. This helps enormously in interpreting measurements in the literature. The bringing together of methodology for measuring dead and live birds is a valuable achievement in this relatively small book, and importantly one that should go a long way to help standardise measurements taken in the future."

- Chris Bowden, Bulletin of the African Bird Club 19(2), September 2012