Global Birding: Traveling the World in Search of Birds by Les Beletsky


Global Birding: Traveling the World in Search of Birds
Title : Global Birding: Traveling the World in Search of Birds
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 1426206402
ISBN-10 : 9781426206405
Language : English
Format Type : Hardcover
Number of Pages : 320
Publication : First published September 21, 2010

A general "how-to" book for international birding is absent. This unprecedented new book by top-selling author Les Beletsky ( Birds of the World, Birdsongs ) will aim to explain why birders are interested in going to other countries and where they like to go. It will act as a "bridge" for domestic birders, allowing them to build on their exciting new knowledge as beginner birders by accessing other countries to see species they cannot see at home. The book, in six chapters, will describe each continent with respect to birds and birding, and tell what kinds of birds birders seek out in those places, along with practical pointers on international birding contacts and field guides. Engaging sidebars throughout the book, tell short stories of birding adventures looking for special birds or unique birding locations.

Global Birding: Traveling the World in Search of Birds Reviews

  • Deb Oestreicher

    We purchased this book because of its beautiful photos. The photos are still beautiful but the text, which offers an overview of birdwatching opportunities around the world, is superficial and uninspiring. I guess if you are only assigning a handful of pages to a continent you can't get very insightful.

    The text doesn't seem to have a clear sense of its audience--sometimes I felt it was trying to explain why birders are interested in visiting remote locations and other times it seemed to address those birders directly. Short autobiographical passages interspersed throughout by an experienced global birder about remarkable sightings were rarely more than moderately interesting. It's like hearing about a great meal somebody you don't know had once in a place you'll never be able to find (even if you went to that location, conditions have likely changed in the thirty years since the event described). Further, the book was published in 2010, so its observations regarding the relative safety and ease of travel in various countries is often out of date.

    And yet, the pictures are gorgeous. And it's nice to have a reference for what birds live where at a high level.

    So: recommended for eye candy and daydreaming (I have a new one about visiting New Zealand) but not as a valuable resource for your next birding adventure.

  • Karen

    This man knows his birds! Traveling world wide viewing birds....how much fun would that be? This book provides an in-depth look at birds of the world, why they live where they do and interesting facts about them plus great pictures. Lots of learning going on too...10,000 bird species in the world and only 700 occur in North America north of Mexico-in comparison Ecuador had about 1500! Mexico is home to 11% of the world's birds due to the fact it straddles 2 major climates regions: the north temperate zone it shares with the U.S.- and the tropics it shares with Central America. One third of the world's bird species are found in South America. Israel is a birders paradise because it has the only land bridge that connects Africa, Asia & Europe causing the migration routes to converge from these 3 areas. As I was reading I viewed you tube for a majority of the birds listed so that I could see them moving around as well as hear their bird song. Painted stork from India, Screamers from Peru, Laughing Kookaburra from Australia and Red Collared Myzomela from New Guinea. It took me awhile to read this one. Great book.

  • Kathy

    Gorgeous!!!