- Hardcover: 256 pages
- Publisher: Poyser; 1st edition (13 Nov 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0713665580
- ISBN-13: 978-0713665581
- Product Dimensions: 24 x 16.2 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 738,921 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Barn Swallow (Poyser Monographs)
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Product Description
British Birds, April 2007
"This is a fascinating account of what is known of this species,
as well as being a thoroughly enjoyable read."
as well as being a thoroughly enjoyable read."
Review
'This authoritative book includes a wealth of research on this charismatic migrant.' 'Once again 'Poyser' has produced another excellent monograph.' Birding World (June 2007) 'An impressive synthesis of a mass of material... Anyone who likes watching Swallows will enjoy the insights provided into the life history. For researchers of social behaviour and flight dynamics, this is an excellent overview that will serve as a first port of call. IBIS (2007) 'This is a fascinating account of what is known of this species, as well as being a thoroughly enjoyable read.' British Birds (April 2007)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
There have been many scientific papers published on various aspects of the Barn Swallow, but only one book in recent years - and that was a short paperback by the same author. Therefore this monograph fills a space in our ornithological libraries. This is surprising, given that the Barn Swallow is one of the world's most familiar birds, and one that does not seek to avoid human contact.
Angela Turner draws on almost thirty years' research of the species having first written a Ph.D. on aerial feeding birds in 1980. Her writing style makes this book a relatively easy read, although it contains much scientific data. Firstly she undertakes a brief review of the hirundo genus before concentrating on the Barn Swallow itself. Flight and feeding behaviour is discussed, particularly with reference to feeding efficiency in different types of weather. Rather surprisingly, vocalisations do not get their own chapter and are assessed together in a chapter along with roosting and social behaviour.
Further sections look at mate selection, breeding strategies, incubation, chicks and survival. In particular I was interested in the section on migration and dispersal. For example, evidence from the Americas, Africa and Europe is used to show how birds' arrival in breeding areas is determined by weather conditions in those areas. Males arrive earlier than females in all areas, and different breeding populations utilise specific regions of the wintering areas.
Interestingly different studies across the species' range have thrown up various hypotheses about population trends. In some areas a reduction of breeding habitat has adversely affected numbers of birds, while in others this appears to have had little effect. For me the value of this book is in the way it demonstrates that across its range a species can react differently to certain situations. One size does not fit all in the case of the Barn Swallow. Proof that this is an intensively-studied species is given by around 700 references listed in the bibliography.
Once again Poyser has produced another excellent monograph.
Angela Turner draws on almost thirty years' research of the species having first written a Ph.D. on aerial feeding birds in 1980. Her writing style makes this book a relatively easy read, although it contains much scientific data. Firstly she undertakes a brief review of the hirundo genus before concentrating on the Barn Swallow itself. Flight and feeding behaviour is discussed, particularly with reference to feeding efficiency in different types of weather. Rather surprisingly, vocalisations do not get their own chapter and are assessed together in a chapter along with roosting and social behaviour.
Further sections look at mate selection, breeding strategies, incubation, chicks and survival. In particular I was interested in the section on migration and dispersal. For example, evidence from the Americas, Africa and Europe is used to show how birds' arrival in breeding areas is determined by weather conditions in those areas. Males arrive earlier than females in all areas, and different breeding populations utilise specific regions of the wintering areas.
Interestingly different studies across the species' range have thrown up various hypotheses about population trends. In some areas a reduction of breeding habitat has adversely affected numbers of birds, while in others this appears to have had little effect. For me the value of this book is in the way it demonstrates that across its range a species can react differently to certain situations. One size does not fit all in the case of the Barn Swallow. Proof that this is an intensively-studied species is given by around 700 references listed in the bibliography.
Once again Poyser has produced another excellent monograph.
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