Birds in Flight: The Art and Science of How Birds Fly

by Carrol L. Henderson, Steve Adams

Overview

They soar and they glide, they flap and they flutter, they swoop and they plummet. Solo or en masse, in formation or pas de deux, birds in flight are in their element, their airborne behavior as varied and distinctive as their plumage. In this book, wildlife biologist Carrol Henderson, a twenty-year veteran of bird-watching around the globe, offers his insights into spotting and identifying birds in flight.

With 150 of Henderson’s exquisite close-up photographs of airborne birds, as well as diagrams illustrating the principles of flight and detailed information based on firsthand research, this book is as informative as it is simply delightful to look at. The singular beauty of an iridescent hummingbird pollinating a flower, the majesty of a condor soaring above the Andes, the impressive spectacle of migrating geese in Minnesota, black storks in Kenya, or Swainson’s hawks in Bolivia: in your back yard or far afield, this guide lets you enjoy the beauty of birds taking wing while learning the fascinating science of how, precisely, birds fly.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781616731397
Publisher:	Voyageur Press
Publication date:	10/15/2008
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	16 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Carrol L. Henderson is a nature photographer, writer, and wildlife biologist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. His bird photography has appeared in the New York Times, Audubon, Birder’s World, and the World Book Encyclopedia Yearbook of Science. Henderson lives in Blaine, Minnesota.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Wildlife biologist Henderson is a renowned wildlife photographer and author (Oology and Ralph’s Talking Eggs). His latest is much more than the sum of its beautiful photos, answering in remarkable detail a question that has fascinated humans for eons: how birds fly. Using his photographic records of myriad species to lay out the fundamental principles of avian aerodynamics, Henderson explains how birds’ bodies are structured for flight and how each species uses flight in its particular ecological niche. He describes how the morphologies of bone, feather, wing and tail combine to help birds find food, evade predators, migrate and interact with other birds. Beautifully rendered drawings by Steve Adams illustrate concepts of lift, drag, thrust and airflow, with plenty of photos showing the principles in action; one highlight is the illustration of the albatross’s wingtip vortex, which creates circular airflow to provide extra lift. Other diagrams show how birds use thermals and updrafts to soar, and the unique hovering abilities of the hummingbird. Henderson’s lovely, informative volume will be enjoyed by anyone who wants to learn about, or teach about, the biology and mechanics of bird flight. Publisher’s Weekly online Web Exclusive Review for the week of 11.3.08

St. Paul Pioneer Press (circ.: 246,400) and www.twincities.com, December 20, 2008

“’Birds in Flight’ ($25 Voyageur Press) is author Carrol Henderson's contribution to understanding the beauty and science of bird flight. Henderson is a Department of Natural Resources employee who started the Nongame Program and is well-known to bird enthusiasts around the world. Henderson explains the principles of bird flight, as well as the complexity and purpose of bird feathers and bones relating to flight. The photographs are stunning, and Henderson offers an easy-to-read and engaging approach to the mysteries of flight.”

 

Publisher’s Weekly Web Exclusive Starred Review November 3, 2008
“Wildlife biologist Henderson is a renowned wildlife photographer and author (Oology and Ralph’s Talking Eggs). His latest is much more than the sum of its beautiful photos, answering in remarkable detail a question that has fascinated humans for eons: how birds fly. Using his photographic records of myriad species to lay out the fundamental principles of avian aerodynamics, Henderson explains how birds’ bodies are structured for flight and how each species uses flight in its particular ecological niche. He describes how the morphologies of bone, feather, wing and tail combine to help birds find food, evade predators, migrate and interact with other birds. Beautifully rendered drawings by Steve Adams illustrate concepts of lift, drag, thrust and airflow, with plenty of photos showing the principles in action; one highlight is the illustration of the albatross’s wingtip vortex, which creates circular airflow to provide extra lift. Other diagrams show how birds use thermals and updrafts to soar, and the unique hovering abilities of the hummingbird. Henderson’s lovely, informative volume will be enjoyed by anyone who wants to learn about, or teach about, the biology and mechanics of bird flight. 150 color photos, 15 diagrams.”

http://birdfreak.com, December 24, 2008 (645,000 vpm)

“He is an amazing photographer and some of his work is showcased in this book, along with other illustrators and photographers… Birds in Flight combines equally the joy and wonder of seeing birds fly with the science of how they manage it. A good reader from about ten on up could handle this great book and it is a gorgeous addition to any bird lover’s library.”

Star Tribune, and www.startribune.com, January 13, 2009

"Birds in Flight: The Art and Science of How Birds Fly" (Voyageur Press, $25) by Minnesotan Carrol Henderson is a book of beauty, adventure and technology made clear.  Henderson, a wildlife biologist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, gives a detailed analysis of how birds fly. He does it with personal stories punctuated with a clear explanation of the physics of flight. Wonderful photographs of birds on the wing help us understand the complexities of the amazing feat that birds perform so effortlessly — flight. Henderson is author and photographer of several other fine books. This one moves to the top of that list.

Well written and beautifully photographed, Birds in Flight is a treasure, sure to please bird-watchers everywhere.
—Birding Business, April 2009

All in all, this is one of the best wildlife photography books I have seen in a long time. The photos are all fresh and new and show us perspectives never before seen of birds in flight. The cover alone is just stunning – a series of photos of an owl swooping down to catch prey. The text is interesting, easy to read, and contains not only a complete and detailed explanation of how birds fly, but little-known and fascinating facts about the various birds.

—bellaonline.com, May 7 2009
birderslibrary.com, January 2009

Birds in Flight takes a very complicated subject, which includes elements of anatomy, ecology, and physics, and presents it in a way that non-professionals can understand. This is the best general treatment of avian flight that I have seen. Moreover, there is an abundance of interesting information, such as the aforementioned explanation of tail shapes, and a possible reason why Turkey Vultures fly with their wings in a dihedral position and rock back and forth. Anyone who wants to learn more about this fundamental aspect of birds’ lives would be well advised to start here.

—

 

Based on firsthand research, this book is as informative as it is wonderful to look at.

—Seasons, December 2008
 

Editorial Reviews

Star Tribune, and www.startribune.com, January 13, 2009

"Birds in Flight: The Art and Science of How Birds Fly" (Voyageur Press, $25) by Minnesotan Carrol Henderson is a book of beauty, adventure and technology made clear. Henderson, a wildlife biologist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, gives a detailed analysis of how birds fly. He does it with personal stories punctuated with a clear explanation of the physics of flight. Wonderful photographs of birds on the wing help us understand the complexities of the amazing feat that birds perform so effortlessly — flight. Henderson is author and photographer of several other fine books. This one moves to the top of that list.

St. Paul Pioneer Press (circ.: 246,400) and www.twincities.com, December 20, 2008
“’Birds in Flight’ ($25 Voyageur Press) is author Carrol Henderson's contribution to understanding the beauty and science of bird flight. Henderson is a Department of Natural Resources employee who started the Nongame Program and is well-known to bird enthusiasts around the world. Henderson explains the principles of bird flight, as well as the complexity and purpose of bird feathers and bones relating to flight. The photographs are stunning, and Henderson offers an easy-to-read and engaging approach to the mysteries of flight.”

Publisher’s Weekly Web Exclusive Starred Review November 3, 2008
“Wildlife biologist Henderson is a renowned wildlife photographer and author (Oology and Ralph’s Talking Eggs). His latest is much more than the sum of its beautiful photos, answering in remarkable detail a question that has fascinated humans for eons: how birds fly. Using his photographic records of myriad species to lay out the fundamental principles of avian aerodynamics, Henderson explains how birds’ bodies are structured for flight and how each species uses flight in its particular ecological niche. He describes how the morphologies of bone, feather, wing and tail combine to help birds find food, evade predators, migrate and interact with other birds. Beautifully rendered drawings by Steve Adams illustrate concepts of lift, drag, thrust and airflow, with plenty of photos showing the principles in action; one highlight is the illustration of the albatross’s wingtip vortex, which creates circular airflow to provide extra lift. Other diagrams show how birds use thermals and updrafts to soar, and the unique hovering abilities of the hummingbird. Henderson’s lovely, informative volume will be enjoyed by anyone who wants to learn about, or teach about, the biology and mechanics of bird flight. 150 color photos, 15 diagrams.”

http://birdfreak.com, December 24, 2008 (645,000 vpm)
“He is an amazing photographer and some of his work is showcased in this book, along with other illustrators and photographers… Birds in Flight combines equally the joy and wonder of seeing birds fly with the science of how they manage it. A good reader from about ten on up could handle this great book and it is a gorgeous addition to any bird lover’s library.”

Wildlife biologist Henderson is a renowned wildlife photographer and author (Oology and Ralph’s Talking Eggs). His latest is much more than the sum of its beautiful photos, answering in remarkable detail a question that has fascinated humans for eons: how birds fly. Using his photographic records of myriad species to lay out the fundamental principles of avian aerodynamics, Henderson explains how birds’ bodies are structured for flight and how each species uses flight in its particular ecological niche. He describes how the morphologies of bone, feather, wing and tail combine to help birds find food, evade predators, migrate and interact with other birds. Beautifully rendered drawings by Steve Adams illustrate concepts of lift, drag, thrust and airflow, with plenty of photos showing the principles in action; one highlight is the illustration of the albatross’s wingtip vortex, which creates circular airflow to provide extra lift. Other diagrams show how birds use thermals and updrafts to soar, and the unique hovering abilities of the hummingbird. Henderson’s lovely, informative volume will be enjoyed by anyone who wants to learn about, or teach about, the biology and mechanics of bird flight. Publisher’s Weeklyonline Web Exclusive Review for the week of 11.3.08

From the Publisher