Feathered creatures made their first appearance about 150 million years ago and today number almost 9000 species worldwide. This book examines the impact of environmental change on individual birds and assesses how we can help species that are under threat. Organized by continent, the guide describes how particular locations, climates and habitats produce their own unique range of species. It is also a concise scientific examination of all aspects of birdlife, including evolution, flight techniques, migration patterns and communication.