Bird nests and construction behaviour / Mike Hansell ; pen and ink illustrations by Raith Overhill.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hansell, Michael H. (Michael Henry), 1940- author.

Contributor:

Overhill, Raith, illustrator.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Birds--Nests--Design and construction.

Birds.

Birds--Behavior.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xii, 280 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Other Title:

Bird Nests & Construction Behaviour

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2000.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Bird Nests and Construction Behaviour provides a broad view of our understanding of the biology of the nests, bowers and tools made by birds. It illustrates how, among vertebrates, the building abilities of birds are more impressive and consistent than for any other builders other than ourselves, yet birds seem to require no special equipment, and use quite uncomplicated behaviour. In doing so, the book raises general issues in the field of behavioural ecology including the costs of reproduction, sexual selection and the organisation and complexity of behaviour. Written for students and researchers of animal behaviour, behavioural ecology and ornithology, it will nevertheless make fascinating reading for architects and engineers interested in understanding how structures are created by animals.

Contents:

Animal builders and the importance of bird nests

The clutch-nest relationship

Standardising the nest description

Construction

The structure

The cost of nest building

The selection of a nest site

Bowers, building quality and mate assessment

The evolution of nest building

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references (p. 237-264) and indexes.

ISBN:

1-107-11234-6

1-283-29540-7

9786613295408

1-139-12180-4

1-139-11606-1

1-139-12672-5

1-139-10678-3

1-139-11170-1

1-139-11389-5

OCLC:

769341759