Geoffrey E. Hill

In 2006, Hill co-edited a scholarly two-volume compendium titled Bird Coloration. While editing it, he “could not help but despair at the huge number of fascinating discoveries that were locked away from a broader readership.” He decided to write this book, National Geographic Bird Coloration, for birders and nature enthusiasts. And, indeed, it is a fascinating book! It includes topics such as how birds are colored (what pigments are used and where the pigments come from; also, how structural colors -- like blues and iridescent colors -- are created), how birds see colors and how birds use color in their everyday lives. It's not just about being attractive to mates or hiding from predators.

There are still a lot of questions yet to be studied about bird coloration, but this book delves into current research, presented for the general reader.… (plus d'informations)

After the excitement of the ivorybill sighting in Arkansas was starting to fade, this enjoyable book appeared claiming a similar sighting in Florida. Geoffrey Hill, an ornithology professor, describes the search for more evidence in the vast swampland of northern Florida, along the way discussing the validity (and problems with) previous ivorybill sightings, how such an expedition is arranged, the challenges of navigating such difficult terrain, any why he thinks there is still hope for that most wonderful of woodpeckers. I enjoyed this book thoroughly -- it was interesting, informative, and hard to put down. I don't usually buy nonfiction, preferring to check it out of the library because I rarely reread books, but this one is a keeper!… (plus d'informations)