Conservation Biology of Hawaiian Forest Birds: Implications for Island Avifauna

“This book is at once an encyclopedia chronicling a global-scale tragedy, and a masterpiece call-to-arms for saving and restoring what remains of the unique and beautiful Hawaiian avifauna. Thane Pratt and coeditors are outstanding biologists and conservation heroes. For this compendium they assembled the entire who's who of experts on Hawaiian birds and conservation, and they detail the complicated historical, cultural, biological, political, and even ethical aspects of the plight of Hawaiian forest birds. From habitat destruction and agricultural monocultures to alien mammals and a pair of wicked, introduced diseases, Hawaiian birds have steadily succumbed to the full litany of human environmental scourges. The authors make a compelling case that significant conservation investment in Hawaii is vastly overdue, for we still can save the precious few species that remain.”—John W. Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., Director, Cornell Lab of Ornithology; member, 'Alala Recovery Team -- John W. Fitzpatrick “I have had the pleasure of learning about Hawaiian birds from Thane Pratt for over fifty years. With the publication of this book, the opportunity to take advantage of his passion for and mastery of the subject is open to everyone.”—Peter Vitousek, Stanford University -- Peter Vitousek “Islands are rife with conservation drama and there is no better example than Hawaii. . . .this book is a first for conservation biology of islands in general, and has all the earmarks of a classic. . . . A cornerstone for any nature, conservation and science bookshelf.”—Thomas E. Lovejoy, president of the Heinz Center for Science, Economics, and the Environment and biodiversity adviser for the World Bank and the United Nations Foundation -- Thomas E. Lovejoy “An important book about one of the world’s most imperiled avifauna, provided by those who have devoted their lives to understanding and preserving Hawaii’s natural heritage. Never before has so much original research on so many aspects of extinction crisis been brought together.”—John M. Marzluff, author of In the Company of Crows and Ravens -- John M. Marzluff “This is one of the best bird books that I’ve read in recent years.”—David W. Steadman, The Condor * The Condor *