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.
Disfruto 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
ReplyDeleteMost gulls are pretty easy to identify in adult basic plumage. It’s everything in between that can be difficult.
Delete...they can be noisy and interesting critters!
ReplyDeleteSounds like humans.
DeleteI think gulls are wondrous. I had no idea about the sub species. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there were so many different kinds of gulls....as I have only seen white one over here.
ReplyDeleteSomeimtes you hear the gulls screaming at each other very early in the morning. They are a fascinating bird to watch.
ReplyDeleteWe have only a few gulls here - commonly and incorrectly referred to as sea gulls. The ones I see (silver gulls) have probably never seen the sea. They are a ubiquitous delight.
ReplyDeleteI love gulls so much. they are much hated creatures over here in Scotland and I don't know why! They fascinate me. I always feed them and they reward me with lovely photos. This book would be good to read, it looks like my thing. :-D
ReplyDeleteIt’s pretty sad to hate any creatures actually.
DeleteI totally agree. I don't hate anything in nature. Everything has its place in this world, I think it is us humans who are the problem nothing else!
DeleteI love watching the gulls. I laughed at the studying of gulls is a self-inflicted punishment.
ReplyDeleteThey are one of the hardest birds to id, just all the juveniles. Have a great weekend.
Where I live there are a lot of seagulls and I really like them, despite the inconvenience of having to wash the car and the windows on the terrace more often...
ReplyDeleteBut seeing them fly alone or in flocks is wonderful.
Have a nice weekend David
I adore seagulls. Once I took a seagull youngster home, he was unwell...I think it was a heatstroke or something. After a few days of feeding him, he recovered and flew away. Anyway, I was taken aback at how heavy he was. My arm almost fell off carrying him from the beach to my flat. He was around ten kilos, I think.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, this seems like a great book for bird lovers.
I have no doubt that the gull felt heavy, Ivana, but it would have been nowhere near 10 kilos. Two kilos would have been the maximum even for a large species like Great Black-backed Gull. At much more it would be aerodynamically impossible for the bird to fly.
DeleteYou certainly make the study of gulls sound engaging and almost adventurous! The level of detail and passion in your review speaks volumes about the depth of this book. I can imagine it being a valuable companion for avid bird watchers, shedding light on the complexities of gull identification with meticulous care.
ReplyDeleteI just shared a new travel post, please read: https://www.melodyjacob.com/2024/10/visit-dumbarton-castle-scotland-historic-fortress-dunbartonshire.html Thank you.
As far as gulls are concerned, I know enough to know that I don't know much. I started to try figuring out the various plumages of immature birds and hybrids. However the only places I can study gulls locally are landfill sites and I soon decided that those were not the kind of locations I wanted to spend the necessary hours. I can still admire those with the dedication needed to compile books like this.
ReplyDeleteSome larophiles verge on fanatical - maniacal even!
DeleteWhat a nice book and you did a good review! I love bird books of any kind!
ReplyDeleteHi David, how r u!
ReplyDeleteseagulls are wonderful, they are beautiful and have a totally aerodynamic structure. I love them, even if they steal my sandwich every time :D
Kisses and hugs 🐦📚🕊️🔍
That’s because you make such good sandwiches!
DeleteInteresting birds, so cheeky at times.
ReplyDeleteThe photos in the book look amazing.
ReplyDeleteHello David.
ReplyDeleteSeagulls are great, there are a lot of them here because we have a lot of water in the Netherlands.
They can also be annoying, they take the bread out of your hands, but this is the fault of the people themselves, first they feed the seagulls and later they suffer from it.
Greetings Irma
Seagull...I prefer the name "mouette" for this elegant bird flying over the ocean...
ReplyDeleteIt must be a very interesting book David !
Anna
I agree that “mouette” is a very agreeable term, but it is generally reserved for the smaller, more delicate species, like kittiwakes. It doesn’t seem to fit the large bruisers like Great Black-Backed Gull, Vega Gull, etc and for that reason perhaps, they are known as “goéland” in French. Not quite so poetic, is it?
DeleteMooi om al die verschillen te zien David.
ReplyDeleteHier zie ik er niet zoveel.
Groetjes Tinie
Beautiful book!...I love seagulls because they reflect peace to me.....Abrazotes, Marcela
ReplyDeleteI always look forward to your book reviews. Thank you David!
ReplyDeleteI am always fascinated by gulls, especially those at the Jersey Shore who have become quite large and aggressive when food is around! I am always amazed how they arrive the minute I take out my lunch! Sounds like an interesting book.
ReplyDeleteQuerido David es un placer poder pasar por tu espacio y disfrutar de tu gran trabajo.
ReplyDeleteEn mi tierra Asturias son muy abundantes, como es un lugar pequeño la montaña y el mar están a muy poca distancia y esto nos permite verlas con facilidad. Parece un buen libro.
Un enorme abrazo para ti y para Miriam.
Hi David - I'm not keen on gulls ... as they eat people's food - but that's our fault as they've changed their habits to land lubbers; also they do huge amount of damage to buildings and rooves - as my mother found out in Cornwall - yet understand others' love for them.
ReplyDeleteI've been wondering if they are already breeding ... as I've seen young ones around ... and the magpies are being very domineering ... another species getting ready for something? Cheers Hilary
We have interrupted their food network and taken away their habitat, Hilary. It's not surprising they are fighting back.
DeleteI know not everyone like gulls, but going back to childhood days and visits to the seaside I still remember the excitement of seeing them.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your review David.
All the best Jan
Este es un libro que yo también recomiendo, es imprescindible para identificar gaviotas. Gracias por compartir David, un fuerte abrazo desde el norte de España.
ReplyDeletePrecioso libro. Espero que ya estéis bien. Abrazos.
ReplyDeleteI’ve learned that true birders do not say seagull. They try to identify the gull and this book would certainly be helpful. I’m afraid I just say gull.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Linda, “seagull” is anathema to birders.
Delete