Twitchers, birders, ornithologists and garden-tickers: there are many species of birdwatcher, and they're all catered for by this unique book. From the serious (why vultures are dying out in Asia) to the bizarre (the parrot that can read minds); the informative (why waxwings have waxy wings) to the completely ridiculous (the avian footballing XI, starring Bobby Moorhen and Jimmy Grebes), this book provides a veritable aviary of notes, quotes, facts and stats. But it doesn't just contain fascinating snippets of information, it also offers extracts from the finest writing about birds over the centuries.
The book is written and compiled by Malcolm Tait, one of the Companion series editors, who also edited The Wildlife Companion and The Walker's Companion. A committed amateur naturalist, he writes a monthly bird column for The Ecologist, and edits Butterfly and Conserver magazines. Malcolm lives in Maidenhead, Berkshire.