Rare Birds Yearbook 2009 - News hot from the conservation frontline

The second volume of this innovative and 'must have' annual publication has just been released. The brainchild of Erik Hirschfeld, £4 of each book sold goes to bird conservation.

To order your copy, visit the Rare Birds Yearbook web site.

The meat of the book is an overview of the current status of the 190 bird species rated as 'Critically Endangered'. There are 130 new photographs and a collection of essays including a feature on the successful reintroduction programs for California Condor.

The fortunes of the World's rarest birds have been mixed to say the least. Click here for a summary of status changes. Eight species have been upgraded to 'Critically Endangered' on the IUCN Red List scale, one step below the dreaded 'Ex' ratings.
These are:
Tristan Albatross (Diomedea dabbenena)
Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Eurynorhynchus pygmeus)
Tachira Antpitta (Grallaria chthonia)
Reunion Cuckooshrike Coracina newtoni)
Mariana Crow (Corvus kubaryi)
Floreana Mockingbird (Nesomimus trifasciatus)
Akekee (Loxops caeruleirostris)
Gough Bunting (Rowettia goughensis)

A glimmer of hope is the fact that 6 species have been downgraded from 'Critically Endangered':

Gorgeted Wood-quail (Odontophorus strophium) [now only 'Endangered']
Marquesan Imperial Pigeon (Ducula galeata) [now only 'Endangered']
Purple-backed Sunbeam (Aglaeactis aliciae) [now only 'Endangered']
Gurney’s Pitta (Pitta gurneyi) [now only 'Endangered']
Rondonia Bushbird (Clytoctantes atrogularis) [now only 'Vulnerable']
Somali Thrush (Turdus ludoviciae) [now only 'Vulnerable']

Details
Title: Rare Birds Yearbook 2009
Author: Erik Hirschfeld
Publisher: MagDig Media Ltd.
Publication date: 14 November 2008
Softcover, numerous color photographs & diagrams, 276pgs.
ISBN 978-0-9552607-5-9
Retail price: £18.95 (UK)
Contact: editor@rarebirdsyearbook.com
www.rarebirdsyearbook.com

Rare Birds Yearbook 2008 - Timely guide to the 189 Critically Endangered species.

This gorgeously illustrated volume brings together the latest information on the World's most threatened birds. The Yearbook is edited by Erik Hirschfeld (Malmö, Sweden) and covers the 189 bird species classified by BirdLife International and the IUCN as Critically Endangered meaning that they are considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. It is available from BirdLife International and the Rare Birds Yearbook web site.

The book begins with short essays on timely conservation issues ranging from the thrilling rediscovery of the Madagascar Pochard Aythya innotata to profiles of key field workers involved in recent discoveries of new species and the impact of global warming or ecotourism of rare species and their conservation. The main meat of the book is the directory of Critically Endangered birds most of which are beautifully illustrated with photographs (or in a few cases painted plates). Some of the species are well known but tragically a few have not been seen for certain in some years. The text discusses the current population, threats and conservation plans (actual and recommended). A table of significant dates (collection of type specimen, formal scientific description, discovery of nesting sites, major census efforts etc) is useful. The third section of the book consists of appendices, such as a list of last sightings, and countries that host endangered species.

There are plans for the book to be updated annually (in softback) and £4 (i.e. $USD8, €5 or ¥852) of the sale price on each book is plowed back into BirdLife International conservation projects. Publication of Rare Birds Yearbook 2009 is scheduled for October 2008. This will be an attractive series to collect and will provide readers with a convenient annual overview of the noble and truly global efforts to protect the rarest of the rare.

Even if you never crack the book open, one would do well to buy a copy just to acknowledge your, support and appreciation for the dedicated efforts of bird conservationists in hundreds of countries around the world.

Details
Rare Birds Yearbook: the world's 189 most threatened birds
Erik Hirchfeld (Ed). 274 pages, numerous photos, color paintings and maps.
Published 7th November 2007
ISBN: 978-0-9552607-3-5
Retail Price: £18.95 (UK)