The Rare Birds Yearbook 2008 is the first book ever to concentrate on the status of the world’s Critically Endangered birds in a popular and accessible but still up-to-date and rigorous way. Compiled in cooperation with BirdLife International, the book provides an entry of up to two pages for each Critically Endangered species, complete with its history, the latest information on its status, and the measures that are being taken to protect it. Each species is illustrated in colour, and many of the photographs are published for the first time.
The editors have made use of the species information to compile a series of fascinating lists, such as the threats to Critically Endangered species (where you can find three species threatened by illegal marijuana and coca growers, and two whose existence is menaced by volcanoes). Another list breaks down the occurrence of all 189 species by country, providing some disturbing insights, for example, the USA, together with its overseas territories, has the same number of Critically Endangered species (25) as Brazil, and twice as many as either Colombia or the Philippines.
Also providing grim reading is a chronological list of “last records”, the most recent sightings of species which have not been reliably recorded for a number of years, varying from 2004 for Cozumel Thrasher Toxostoma guttatum, to the Hooded Seedeater Sporophila melanops, known from a single specimen collected in 1823. (You will need to revisit the main text to find that there’s still a fair chance of rediscovering the Hooded Seedeater, which was first found in a remote and little-researched area of Brazil that has so far been spared from extensive habitat destruction).
The book also contains a number of specially written feature articles on issues such as climate change and ecotourism, and species such as Madagascar Pochard (recently rediscovered and restored from “Possibly Extinct” status) and Balearic Shearwater (declining so fast that is has been classified as Critically Endangered ). There’s a list of ecotour operators who will take you to see Critically Endangered birds, and even a checklist on which you can tick off your sightings.
The Rare Birds Yearbook (ISBN 978-0-9552607-3-5) is an indispensible resource for anybody interested in BirdLife International’s Preventing Extinctions initiative, particularly anyone considering supporting this work by becoming a Species Champion. The book opens with a explanation of the Preventing Extinctions initiative, followed by a directory of contact details for all 109 BirdLife Partners worldwide. And for each copy sold, the publishers will donate £4.00 to BirdLife’s work.
