Fairy-Wrens and Grasswrens: Maluridae (Bird Families of the World) [Hardcover]

Ian Rowley (Author), Eleanor Russell (Author), Peter Marsack (Illustrator)

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Product details

Hardcover: 314 pages
Publisher: OUP Oxford; illustrated edition edition (25 Sep 1997)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0198546904
ISBN-13: 978-0198546900
Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.2 x 2.5 cm
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,413,867 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

The brilliantly coloured Fairy-wrens and enigmatic Grasswrens form a group of birds (Family Maluridae) that occur only in Australia and New Guinea. They are small -- the largest weigh no more than 40 grams, while the smallest emu-wrens are only 5 -6 grams -- and feed mainly on the ground or in low vegetation. Most males are brightly coloured, while the female plumage is duller. They have a fascinating social organization, with resident social groups consisting of long-lasting social pairs and their progeny, retained long after independence. All members of the group help to raise the young. Social pairing, however, does not preclude promiscuity, and most males seek matings outside the group. Although their cocked tails and general appearance reminded early Australian settlers of wrens back home, and the English name has persisted, Fairy-wrens and Grasswrens are not closely related to wrens (Troglodytidae). In the first eight chapters, the authors look at the family as a whole, describing their taxonomy, evolution, biology, behaviour, and conservation. These chapters are include black-and-white drawings showing typical behaviour, as well summary graphs and tables. Then follow the twenty-five species accounts, each one giving comprehensive information on the bird in its natural state. Distribution maps and sonograms are included. All species are fully illustrated in colour, in superb plates by Peter Marsack especially commissioned for this volume.

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

Fascinating fairy-wrens 24 Jun 2000

By Anne Peters - Published on Amazon.com

Format:Hardcover

This book provides an overview of some of Australia's and Papua New Guinea's most intriguing and beautiful little birds. Fairy-wrens have fascinated ornithologists and lay-people alike from early European settlement in Australia. And rightly so. The males are strikingly coloured in deep blues, brilliant cobalts, daring reds and purples. They have a lovely, far-reaching song, well-known to many Australian with a suburban garden. Their social system is intricate and fascinating, living in small social groups of varying complexity. Plus the fariry-wrens are the least faithful of all birds, with females routinely cuckolding their social partners. Emu-wrens and grass-wrens are somewhat more modest in their appearance, and more elusive to the uninitiated bird watcher. But the beauty of the emu-wrens lies in the detail of their feathered tail, whereas the grasswrens are the most cryptic of them all. This book is a delight, well written by Australia's two leading - and most sympathetic - wren-biologists, providing a plethora of interesting facts presented in an appealing style that can captivate experts and interested lay-people alike. The plates by Peter Marsack are delightful, accurate and atmospheric, perfectly capturing the essence and beauty of these wonderful birds.

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