Introductory essays outline the principles of avian evolution, life cycle, body structure, flight dynamics, and more. The 80 family-by-family chapters describe the amazing range of behavior dictated by birds’ biology and environment. Among the subjects covered and illustrated are:--molts and plumages--habitats--food and foraging--vocalizations and displays--courtship and breeding--rearing of young--migration and movements--scientific groupings--introduced species--accidental species --anatomy--flight patterns --nests and eggs--conservation--global distribution