Philippe J. Dubois

A comprehensive photographic guide to the gull species of the Western PalearcticGulls occupy a particularly important place in the world of birds. But because they are notoriously difficult to identify, they have been relatively neglected in the ornithological literature. Gulls of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East offers the most up-to-date guide for gull identification in Europe and beyond. With a direct and visual approach, and an abundance of beautiful color photographs, this book provides thorough accounts of all species and subspecies of gulls found in the Western Palearctic. The guide compares similar taxa and addresses the complexities of identifying hybrids. Gulls of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East will be the standard work for identifying these birds for some time to come. Richly illustrated with nearly 1,400 color photographsThorough accounts of all species and subspecies of gulls found in the Western PalearcticUp-to-date information for easy and accurate identification of 45 species

The greatest wisdom comes from the smallest creaturesThere is so much we can learn from birds. Having spent a lifetime watching birds, Philippe and Ã?lise â?? a French ornithologist and a philosopher â?? draw out the secret lessons that birds can teach us about how to live, and the wisdom of the natural world.

"This little book does a beautiful job of inspiring awe for the capacities of birds and applying lessons from their lives to the struggles of humanity" -- Wall Street Journal"Brilliant, magical and engrossing-I will never see birds the same way again." -- Peter Wohlleben, author of The Hidden Life of TreesTHE INTERNATIONAL PHENOMENONTwenty-two short lessons from the secret lives of birds on living harmoniously and reconnecting with nature. This charming volume on bird behavior invites us to take a step back from our busy lives and to listen to the tiny philosophers of the sky. From the delicate sparrow to the majestic eagle, birds are among the most fascinating species on earth, and there is much to be learned from these paragons of beauty and grace that can be applied to our lives, including: Independence: what it means to be "pushed out of the nest." Vulnerability: what the mallard teaches us about giving up our old feathers for new ones in order to fly. Gender equality: what happens when a papa Turtledove sits on the nest. Hierarchy and power: what the raven and the vulture know about the pecking order. Filled with elegant illustrations of bird species, this gem of a book celebrates of our friends in the sky, and what they can teach us about the rhythms of life.

Birds of the World: 365 Days gives this perennially popular subject the 365 treatment: ornithologist and conservationist Philippe J. Dubois presents a "day in the life" of a year's worth of species from five continents. The stunning images of birds in action, taken by some of the best avian photographers in the world, illustrate the text beautifully. The birds represented here are a truly global group, including passerines, waterfowl, raptors, and everything in between. In addition to scientific information, Dubois gives insight into the bird's cultural significance, whether it is regarded by its human neighbors as a pest or a blessing.