FIRST GLOBAL BOOK ON FARMLAND BIRDS

Farmlands, collectively, cover 5 billion hectares, thus forming the largest habitat on the globe. This very diverse habitat supports a huge variety of birds: 3,600 of the world's 10,000 bird species are listed as farmland species by BirdLife International. Until recently, a global review of this birdlife had never been published. The book Farmland Birds across the World now fills this gap.

The book has been written by seven experts in biology and agriculture and compiled by the Dutch Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CLM). It is published by Lynx Edicions in Barcelona, publisher of the famous Handbook of the Birds of the World. It covers all the major farmland habitats of the world, from grasslands to rice fields, and from arable land to coffee cultivations. The book details more than 500 species of farmland birds, 160 of which are pictured. It takes the reader on a journey; from common birds, such as the cattle egret which is found across the globe, to such rarities as the crested ibis in Chinese rice fields, the crimson rosella in Australian orchards, and the burrowing owl of North American grasslands. The diversity and beauty of farmland birds is overwhelming.

Much of this birdlife, however, is in decline or under threat. The book identifies the many challenges that farmland birds face, such as intensification and greater mechanisation of farming. It also explores the opportunities available for protecting and supporting farmland birds. In over 50 boxes, it highlights actions that can and have been taken.

Richly illustrated – the book contains hundreds of photos – Farmland Birds across the World is aimed at a wide audience: the conservation and farming communities, birdwatchers, the food industry, policy makers, and other people interested in sustainable farming, food and birds.