The Vanishing Mew Gull: A Guide to the Bird Names of the Western Palaearctic

Modern taxonomic studies have created a revolution in the genetic sequencing of bird families and have resulted in confusing changes to the names of many species, particularly in the scientific nomenclature. This book presents all the birds of the Western Palaearctic under the latest taxonomic scheme followed by the International Ornithological Congress. The geographic scope embraces about 10% of the world’s bird species, covering almost 1,100 in total. Each species is considered in order, discussing aspects of both vernacular and scientific names, as well as supplementary information such as status, appearance and history. An introduction elucidates the history of the linguistic elements concerned, taking into account the major languages of Europe, and offers a condensed analysis of the ‘authority’ for any bird names.

Good dictionaries of avian names are thin on the ground: most are only partial in coverage, and the majority are word-centric. Hence, British and European birds have long lacked a work that truly wraps the names – both vernacular and scientific – around the birds themselves.

This reference will be appeal to any bird enthusiast, but also to those seeking out the background on particular species or simply trying to make some sense of what can seem like a somewhat confused scenario. Filling a critical gap, it will be a useful tool for any student of ornithology, whatever their level of experience.

Contents:

Preface
Acknowledgements
About this book
The linguistic background

WILDFOWL AND GAMEBIRDS
NIGHTJARS TO PIGEONS
RAILS TO FLAMINGOS
BUTTONQUAILS TO PAINTED-SNIPES
SANDPIPERS TO PRATINCOLES
GULLS TO TROPICBIRDS
DIVERS TO SHEARWATERS
STORKS TO PELICANS
OSPREY TO MOUSEBIRDS
HOOPOE TO PARROTS
TYRANTS TO LARKS
BULBULS TO SILVIID BABBLERS
PARROTBILLS TO TREECREEPERS
MOCKINGBIRDS TO CHATS ETC.
DIPPERS TO PIPITS
FINCHES TO CARDINALS

Glossary and explanatory notes
Organisations and their acronyms
Who’s who? The names behind the names
References
Photographic captions and credits
Index of vernacular names
Index of scientific names