Abstract

This book meets the demand for a comprehensive introduction to understanding the processes of population limitation. Recognized world-wide as a respected biologist and communicator, Dr. Ian Newton has now written a clear and detailed treatise on local scale population limiting factors in birds. It is based almost entirely on results from field studies, though it is set in a contemporary theoretical framework. The 16 chapters fall under three major section headings: Behavior and Density Regulation; Natural Limiting Factors; and Human Impacts. Population Limitation in Birds serves as a needed resource expanding on Dr. David Lacks research in this area of ornithology in the 1950s. It includes numerous line diagrams and beautiful illustrations by acclaimed wildlife artist Keith Brockie.

• Provides a sorely needed introduction to a long-established core subject in ornithology
• Focuses on local scale factors
• Written by a well-known biologist and effective communicator
• Includes numerous line diagrams and beautiful illustrations by acclaimed wildlife artist Keith Brockie

"This is the most important book on bird population ecology for many years. It is not just of academic interest but should be read by anyone who is responsible for managing bird populations or for laying down policy as to how they should be managed." --Jeremy J.D. Greenwood in HABITAT (October 1999)

"This book will be of tremendous interest and value to students, their lecturers, and field ornithologists, both amateur and professional, as a major source of information on bird populations, intelligently catalogued and clearly interpreted by one of the world's foremost ornithologists." --Mark Holling in SCOTTISH BIRDS (September 1999)

"[Ian Newton] has done it again! Ian Newton's latest book is organized logically and sequentially, packed with information, and written 'in simple language in the hope that it will be of value not only for the professional ecologist, but for anyone with an interest in birds.' It is encyclopedic, an open sesame to the world's bird population literature. A tour de force. Every college library should have one or more copies. I recommend it without reservation." --C. Stuart Houston in THE CANADIAN FIELD NATURALIST (September 1999)

"...provides a fresh and informed synthesis of a mass of scattered information from around the world, presenting it in a clear and coherent manner. It should be of value not only to be the research worker and student, but also to those concerned with the practical management of bird populations (whether for hunting, crop production or conservation), as well as to those interested in bird-watching as a hobby." --Charles E. Keller in INDIANA AUDUBON QUARTERLY (August 1999)

"An impressive feature of this book is its organization and readability. The user-friendly style, however, does not result from diluted content. The text provides a rich array of detail and nuance that could only come from a lifetime of experience with detailed field studies." --Jeffrey F. Kelley in AUK (July 1999)

"In an age of edited volumes fraught with uneven coverage of complex topics, it is refreshing to have one author with sufficient breadth and confidence to cover the scope of topic, especially one as broad as avian population ecology." --J. Burger in CHOICE (June 1999)

"...this book is of a supreme high standard, as one would expect from this author. Ian Newton is well-known for his work on the Sparrowhawk, and before that on finches, especially the Bullfinch." --AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE (1998)

"An abundance of examples worldwide illustrates the points and every page has something fascinating. It is clearly written and easily understood. If you are interested in the facts about bird numbers and what controls them, this is certainly for you." --BIRD BOX

"The content of the book sticks very firmly to its title, with an impressive array of examples and comments: 1865 references and 734 bird species are cited. ...this highly readable book constitutes a very comprehensive and practical account of our knowledge on bird populations, with an incredible quantity of examples and illustrations." --IBIS