Identification Guide to European Non-Passerines by Baker

Identification Guide to European Non-Passerines

Kevin Baker

 

This book provides ageing and sexing criteria for non-passerines species found in Europe. It encompasses divers, grebes, fulmars and shearwaters, petrels, gannets, cormorants and shags, herons and bitterns, swans and geese, ducks, eagles and hawks, falcons, rails, skuas, gulls, terns, auks, pigeons, cuckoos, owls, nightjars, swifts, kingfishers, bee-eaters, hoopoes, and wrynecks and woodpeckers.

The first part of the book describes the best ways to take key measurements that are used for identification, ageing and sexing (e.g bill-length of several species), accompanied by useful drawings to aid the process in the field. A chapter is also devoted to general techniques for ageing and sexing, including shape of primaries and secondaries and their wear, and a brief overview of moult. Drawings to illustrate the topography of birds and the numering of wing feathers provide a very valuable addition. A final section describes variation in cloacal protuberance , with useful illustrations, and incubation patches. 
 

Ageing and sexing of each species is divided into age-groups and seasons. Figures illustrate key aspects described in the text, and ranges of biometrics are also provided for each species where they are useful for ageing and sexing individuals. This book is essential for any ringer who is likely to catch non-passerine during their ringing operations as well as being a great aid for anyone watching non-passerines.