Birds on the Brink South Africa's Threatened Bird Species – And Those Working to Save Them

About this book

Focusing on some 150 threatened bird species of South Africa and its oceans, and of neighbouring Lesotho and Eswatini, Birds on the Brink combines scientific rigour with compelling storytelling to highlight the beauty, unique traits and vulnerabilities of these birds. The accounts delve into the life and habits of each species, detailing physical characteristics, behaviours, ecological significance and the threats the birds face.

Alongside most of the accounts are personal narratives from those researchers working on the frontlines to safeguard these species. While these offer a first-hand glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of wildlife conservation, they also offer reasons for optimism, showing how certain conservation efforts can help to bring species back from the brink of extinction.

Beautifully designed and highly illustrated, the book features some 350 full-colour photographs and annotated range maps based on the latest scientific models. With its message of hope, Birds on the Brink will appeal to bird enthusiasts and conservationists – and to all who care about the future of these remarkable animals and the urgency to protect them.

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Biography

Alan Lee is an ornithologist and conservation biologist with deep insight into the ecological challenges facing southern African birds. He is the Science and Innovation Programme Manager at BirdLife South Africa, leading the organisation's work on the IUCN's Red List of Birds. He is affiliated with the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology at the University of Cape Town and is an Honorary Research Associate at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Shamiso Banda is a conservationist, researcher and science communicator. She has a Master's degree in Zoology from Nelson Mandela University, having conducted seabird research at the Marine Apex Predator Research Unit (MAPRU). She is a PhD Fellow under the South African Research Chair in Science Communication at Stellenbosch University.