Birds: Deluxe Series

The second title in the new and lavish ‘Deluxe’ natural history series from

Reed New Holland, this book is packed with sumptuous photography of more

than one hundred of the world’s most amazing bird species. So many people

watch birds, perhaps because they can be seen almost anywhere. Look out of

any window and there is a good chance that before long you will see some of

our feathered friends. And while some species can be seen in our gardens,

others have very specific requirements meaning that they are restricted to

tiny fragments of habitat in remote forests or mountains. Another

attraction is the sheer number of species. At the last count there were

more than 10,000 bird species in the world. The images celebrate the

astonishing variety and beauty of birds, from swans and flamingos to

kingfishers and hummingbirds. And the images have stories to tell, from

spectacular courtship displays by frigatebirds, cranes and birds of

paradise to specialised feeding adaptations such as the barely believable

beak of the Sword-billed Hummingbird. Amazing shots of birds from around

the world, including portraits, action pictures and mind-boggling images of

flocks, are brought together via a foreword explaining why birds have been

such an evolutionary success story. In short, Birds is a glorious memento

of a fascinating subject, brought together in a luxurious book that

celebrates the many astonishing species from all around the planet, making

it ideal for nature lovers, as a gift, or as an interior-design feature in

any home.