There are those who view studying gulls as a unique form of self-inflicted punishment, exceeding by a wide margin any torture devised by the Marquis de Sade! And there are those aficionados who embrace the challenge with glee and set about the task with gusto, bravado and enthusiasm.
This book is intended for the latter group (of which I am a proud member) and the net is cast widely in the hopes of drawing in others. Princeton University Press has published several high quality treatises on gulls over the past few years, and this volume continues that proud tradition.
I confess that Amar Ayyash was new to me, but the scholarship in this major work serves as a more than adequate introduction.
This is a photographic guide and benefits greatly from the ubiquity of digital cameras and the willingness of dedicated birders (and others) to share their images.
From a wide network of contributors the author is able to obtain high quality photographs of gulls resting and in flight, on the nest, feeding young, in every plumage phase that marks the passage of a gull from the egg to breeding adult. Gulls are notorious hybridizers and pictures are provided of the various intergrades that may be present in a flock, with keys as to what to look for. How satisfying it is to be able to say with confidence, "That's a Glaucous x Great Black-backed hybrid."
You might be forgiven for thinking that larid taxonomy is in a state of constant flux, with different authorities arriving at different conclusions as to what constitutes a valid species. The Herring Gull complex is a case in point when, depending who you talk to, you may be dealing with up to three (or four!) species - or was that a nominate form and two or three subspecies? Ayyash attempts to cut through some of this esoteric business, and provides a rationale for what may at first glance seem like madness!
I chuckled when I read about Thayer's Gull, 'The "winter handbook" on identifying Iceland Gulls is revised every decade or so." Only every decade?
This is overall a fine book with incredible meticulous coverage. Every species found in North America is examined in great detail and accompanied by superb pictures. Nestled on your shelf it will be the ideal reference to consult when coming home from a day's gull watching, remembering the discussions and controversies, the friendships made, the differences of opinion, and even the field marks observed.
You too can join the pantheon of the exalted!
Factual error: In the bibliography (impressive by the way) Ornithology in Canada is shown as being from Witherby, ON - a non-existent place as far as I know. It should be Whitby, ON.
The Gull Guide: North America - Princeton University Press
Amar Ayyash
Paperback - $39.95 USD - ISBN: 9780691195896
528 pages - 5.875 x 9.25 inches (14.69 x 12.125 cm)
1,800+ colour photographs, 7 tables
Publishing date: 29 October, 2024
I think seagulls are so beautiful, David. There are very few of them here. There is probably a very good book about them. Hugs and kisses, Marit
ReplyDeleteI actually own a couple of those PUP gull guides, as well as several of their other guides. Maybe I need to add this one to the collection.
ReplyDeleteDisfruto con ver las gaviotas. El mar resulta más atractivo con su compañía.
ReplyDeleteQue tengas un feliz domingo de descanso.
I think I fall in between those 2 types of people. Gulls are so crazy difficult, and sometimes easy. Well easy if they're really common and you see them all the time like a herring gull or black back gull. I have started to look at legs and beaks as well as feathers, but then you throw in juveniles and oh my. :) Have a great Thanksgiving weekend David. hugs-Erika
ReplyDelete