The avian migrant : the biology of bird migration / John H. Rappole.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

The purpose of migration, regardless of the distance involved, is to exploit two or more environments suitable for survival or reproduction over time, usually on a seasonal basis. Yet individual organisms can practice the phenomenon differently, and birds deploy unique patterns of movement over particular segments of time. Incorporating the latest research on bird migration, this concise, critical assessment offers contemporary readers a firm grasp of what defines an avian migrant, how the organism came to be, what is known about its behavior, and how we can resolve its enduring mysteries.

John H. Rappole's sophisticated survey of field data clarifies key ecological, biological, physiological, navigational, and evolutionary concerns. He begins with the very first migrants, who traded a home environment of greater stability for one of greater seasonality, and uses the structure of the annual cycle to examine the difference between migratory birds and their resident counterparts. He ultimately connects these differences to evolutionary milestones that have shaped a migrant lifestyle through natural selection. Rather than catalogue and describe various aspects of bird migration, Rappole considers how the avian migrant fits within a larger ecological frame, enabling a richer understanding of the phenomenon and its critical role in sustaining a hospitable and productive environment. Rappole concludes with a focus on population biology and conservation across time periods, considering the link between bird migration and the spread of disease among birds and humans, and the effects of global warming on migrant breeding ranges, reaction norms, and macroecology.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Bird migration has intrigued humans for thousands of years, but scientific understanding of migration in a larger, evolutionary framework has begun to develop only more recently. Here, Rappole (emer., Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute; The Ecology of Migrant Birds, CH, Sep'96, 34-0308) takes the reader on a yearlong journey through a migratory songbird's life, with an evolutionary focus on what makes migratory birds different from their resident counterparts during these important life events. This book goes beyond the categorical descriptions of migrations that have been well documented in the past to explore the theoretical basis for the evolution of bird migration. It is thoroughly referenced, with a multitude of examples of specific species used to illustrate specific points in each chapter. The reader will especially appreciate the personal approach that Rappole takes to explain the concepts. This is most evident in the final chapter, where he methodically summarizes each of the previous ten chapters in a first-person style that allows his audience to understand his opinions and viewpoints on the subject. This authoritative, thoughtful, and well-crafted work will appeal to readers with an interest in bird migration and population ecology. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. C. A. Fassbinder-Orth Creighton University