• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arctic; Pacific; Tundra
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.669.6114; http://marineornithology.org/PDF/35_2/35_2_154.pdf

A book on the shorebirds (waders) of Australia is well overdue, given that the Australasian Wader Studies Group (AWSG) has been researching shorebirds for more than 27 years, and the last book on the topic was Shorebirds in Australia (Lane & Davies 1987). Much has been learnt about shorebirds since 1987. Shorebirds of Australia is well laid out and comprehensible to novice and expert alike. It reflects the current status of shorebirds and studies concerning them in Australia. The sections of the book are comprehensive and include breeding ecology (from Arctic tundra to Australian endemics), migration studies, plumages and topography, species descriptions and the threats to shorebirds, and conservation actions. Section authors include some of the world experts in shorebird research. The book contains a wealth of information and also clearly points out the lack of knowledge concerning some of the Australian endemics, the flyways of its migratory species, and the reasons that populations of some shorebirds are in steep decline. Chapter 1 adequately covers the evolutionary history and taxonomy of shorebirds. Chapter 2 (breeding ecology) provides a stark contrast between the Arctic breeders that visit Australia (Pavel Tomkovich) and the largely endemic Australian nesting birds (Mike Weston). The chapter is well laid out and beautifully illustrated, and it provides details not readily available elsewhere. Chapter 3 (migration) showcases the knowledge and expertise of authors Phil Battley and Danny Rogers. The chapter provides a lot of new information stemming mainly from a huge effort by researchers (both amateur and professional) in the Asia Pacific