Bøker av Klaus Malling Olsen

Until recently, gulls were a group that inspired dread among birders, due to the bewildering variety of plumages, age-groups, and races, many of which are very difficult indeed to separate, even to species. Things changed in 2003 with the publication of Klaus Malling Olsen''s Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America (Helm), a plate-based title that made accurate identification of gulls a realistic possibility for the first time. Gulls of the World is a companion and successor to that seminal work.This photographic identification guide covers all of the world''s gull species, tackling some of the stiffest ID challenges in birding. Concise text places particular emphasis placed on field identification, with detailed discussion of variation, and there is coverage of habitat, status, and distribution. The text is followed by a series of high-quality photographs, carefully selected to highlight identification criteria and, crucially, to allow age and subspecific separation in the field. The species entries are complemented by an accurate colour range map.Gulls of the World is an informative, fact-packed and beautifully designed guide to a group of great interest to all serious birders. Take a copy to your local garbage dump today!

Skuas (and jaegers) are a fascinating and ­popular group of seabirds that make up a subfamily of just seven species. They can be ­divided into two main groups: the larger species of Catharacta skuas which are mainly found in the southern hemisphere (with Great Skua breeding­ in the north), and the three Stercorarius species (also known as jaegers) which breed in the ­northern hemisphere. Both northern and southern skuas breed at high latitudes and several ­species are long-distance migrants, ­performing spectacular migrations through most of the world''s oceans, ­sometimes even flying overland. The individual plumage variation in some species is enormous, creating one of the most puzzling yet fascinating challenges in modern field identification. This is the first complete identification guide to the skuas of the world. It is designed to enable species ­identification and correct ­ageing, and the information presented is based on years of study in the field, detailed examination of photographs and ­museum skins, and ­extensive research of the ­relevant literature. The comprehensive text is accompanied by twelve exquisite colour plates by Hans Larsson, illustrating a wide range of plumages. In ­addition, there are eight pages of colour ­photographs and numerous black and white photographs and drawings that show key ­identification ­features. With this book, the seabird enthusiast­ should at last be able to ­identify almost every skua encountered, whether on a seawatch or at sea.