Pelicans, Cormorants, and their Relatives: Pelecanidae, Sulidae, Phalacrocoracidae, Anhingidae, Fregatidae, PhaethontidaeThe pelecaniformes are a large and important group of seabirds, containing many spectacular species. This book addresses the breeding biology of the six pelecaniform families, which comprise the closely-related core groups (pelicans, cormorants/shags, darters, gannets/boobies) and their more distant relatives, the frigate birds and tropic birds. Many fundamental questions can be addressed through the pelecaniformes: Why do they breed in colonies? What are the links between their feeding methods and their reproduction? What part does territorial and pairing behaviour play in their life-cycles? These and scores of comparable issues, including those related to man, are woven here into a richly interpretative text. The author's approach to the subject is threefold. First, the pelecaniformes are placed within the framework of four discrete disciplines, with chapters on evolutionary relationships, comparative behaviour, ecology, and the birds' relationship with humans. Secondly, each of the six families is discussed, elucidating the range of taxonomy, behaviour, and ecology within each. Finally, we progress to specific level, using the same structure as for the family accounts. In this way, each of the 60-odd species can be understood not just as discrete units, but as part of their family and order. The book is unique in its coverage of the entire order and in its combination of facts and interpretation. Pelicans, Cormorants, and their Allies will enable readers not only to identify the many spectacular species which make up this large and important group of seabirds, but also to understand their breeding biology. |
Other editions - View all
Pelicans, Cormorants, and their Relatives: Pelecanidae, Sulidae ... J. Bryan Nelson, MBE No preview available - 2006 |
Common terms and phrases
Abbott’s booby African Aldabra American white pelican anhinga anhingids areas Ascension Atlantic gannet Australasian gannet Australian behaviour bill birds blue-footed blue-footed booby breeders breeding biology breeding success brood brown boobies brown pelican chicks Christmas Island clutches COPULATION cormoran cormorants dark display diving double-crested double-crested cormorant eggs European shag feathers feeding female fish fledging flight frigatebirds Galapagos gape groups gular skin hatching incubation Johnsgard 1993 JUVENILE AND IMMATURE Kure lesser frigatebirds mainly male Marchant and Higgins masked booby mate morants mortality moult movements Nelson nest nest-site non-breeding numbers occur Pacific PAIR-FORMATION pairs pale pelagic pelecaniforms Peruvian Peruvian booby Phalacrocorax plumage population post-fledging pouch PRE-BREEDING prey probably Range and status red-footed booby red-tailed tropicbirds REPLACEMENT LAYING roost scapulars Schreiber seabirds season siblicide Sp Acc species Sub-species Sula sulids tail territorial tion tropicbirds underparts usually variable weeks weight whilst white pelican wings young