This is a visual guide to how birds have become the masters of the air. Illustrated with photographs taken around the world, this book is the first to show the huge range of lifestyles that birds have used to become one of the most successful groups. From the Arctic to the Antarctic and on every ocean of the world, birds have mastered every environment, even the sky. From ostriches to buntings - each photograph shows a different bird behaving in its own unique way. Together they are a fascinating insight into the life of birds. The contents include: Introduction; The flying machine - flying techniques, the construction of wings, starting, landing; Life and way of living - hygiene, leadership, emotions, language, personality, behavior, morning song; Appearance and build frame - looks and body, ability to fly, plumage, the beak, eyes, colors, camouflage; Food habits - what they eat, how they eat, different kind of shapes of the beak, predators, seeds, insects; The environment of birds - environmental threats, diminishing species, survivors, transplantation/introduction of species; Nesting - signals, mating, eggs, nestlings, young birds; Migration and distribution - migrating habits, migrating alone or in a flock, climate, weather conditions, geography; and Epilogue.