On this page

The books are listed by publication date with the most recent at the top.

Eggs.
Nest construction.
Cooperative breeding.
Brood Parasitism.
Lekking.

Avian Reproduction: From Behavior to Molecules

Editor: Tomohiro Sasanami

2017

"Avian Reproduction provides everything from basic knowledge to the recent understandings of avian reproductive physiology, covering many unique aspects. It will inspire avian biologists as well as researchers in varied fields and will offer important steps towards better fertilization success in birds.In spite of the recent remarkable developments in modern technology, a comprehensive understanding of the reproductive mechanisms is still far in the future due to the diverse reproductive tactics in vertebrates. Birds have highly refined reproductive strategies and some of those strategies are unique to birds. However, together with ongoing progress of the genome analysis of birds and the crying need for further increase in meat and egg production, research on avian reproduction is now accelerating and becoming more important.With contributions by leading scientists, Avian Reproduction explains avian primordial germ cells; the sex-determining mechanism; reproductive endocrinology and immunology; sperm, egg, and egg coat; sperm-egg interaction; polyspermic fertilization; seasonal reproduction; social triggers; hormonal and behavioral changes; broodiness; oviductal sperm storage; and biotechnology."

Nests, Eggs, & Incubation: New Ideas About Avian Reproduction

Editor: D. C. Deeming, S. J. Reynolds

2016

"Nests, Eggs, and Incubation brings together a global team of leading authorities to provide a comprehensive overview of the fascinating and diverse field of avian reproduction. Starting with a new assessment of the evolution of avian reproductive biology in light of recent research, the book goes on to cover four broad areas: the nest, the egg, incubation, and the study of avian reproduction. New research on nest structures, egg traits, and life history is incorporated, whilst contemporary methodologies such as self-contained temperature probes and citizen science are also discussed. Applied chapters describe how biological knowledge can be applied to challenges such as urbanisation and climate change. The book concludes by suggesting priorities for future research."

Physiological Adaptations for Breeding in Birds

Tony D. Williams

2012

"Physiological Adaptations for Breeding in Birds is the most current and comprehensive account of research on avian reproduction. It develops two unique themes: the consideration of female avian reproductive physiology and ecology, and an emphasis on individual variation in life-history traits. Tony Williams investigates the physiological, metabolic, energetic, and hormonal mechanisms that underpin individual variation in the key female-specific reproductive traits and the trade-offs between these traits that determine variation in fitness."

The Mating Lives of Birds: Bird Courtship and Display

Bryan Bland

2012

"The Mating Lives of Birds looks at natural selection and why birds have evolved different reproduction strategies, examining territories, birdsong, displays and dealing with rivals. It also looks at different bird lifestyles, including monogamy, polygamy, polyandry, promiscuity, and communal arrangements, as well as the importance of plumage, including why males are usually brighter and how special plumage features have evolved. The Mating Lives of Birds then focuses on some of the most spectacular bird displays, including bittern ('booming', territorial and mating call); superb lyrebird (amazing tail feathers, posture display in special arena); grouse (leks, special calls, plumage features); golden eagle (pendulum flight with both male and female); cranes (dancing displays); ruddy duck (drumming noises, bubbling effects); puffins (bill colours change for breeding season); egrets (elaborate display plumes); frigatebirds (inflatable throat-pouch display), birds-of-paradise (outrageous plumage, hanging displays, vocalization); ruff (special breeding plumage, 'jousting' between males at leks) and phalaropes (role reversal, female brighter and proactive in display). This evocatively written and richly illustrated title will be an essential addition to the library of any keen birdwatcher."

Hormones and Reproduction of Vertebrates, Volume 4: Birds

Editor: David O. Norris and Kristin H. Lopez

2010

"This series of volumes represents a comprehensive and integrated treatment of reproduction in vertebrates from fishes of all sorts through mammals. It is designed to provide a readable, coordinated description of reproductive basics in each group of vertebrates as well as an introduction to the latest trends in reproductive research and our understanding of reproductive events. Whereas each chapter and each volume is intended to stand alone as a review of that topic or vertebrate group, respectively, the volumes are prepared so as to provide a thorough topical treatment across the vertebrates. Terminology has been standardized across the volumes to reduce confusion where multiple names exist in the literature, and a comprehensive glossary of these terms and their alternative names is provided."

Sexual Conflict

Goran Arnqvist and Locke Rowe

Princeton University Press

2005

"The past decade has seen a profound change in the scientific understanding of reproduction. The traditional view of reproduction as a joint venture undertaken by two individuals, aimed at replicating their common genome, is being challenged by a growing body of evidence showing that the evolutionary interests of interacting males and females diverge. This book demonstrates that, despite a shared genome, conflicts between interacting males and females are ubiquitous, and that selection in the two sexes is continuously pulling this genome in opposite directions. These conflicts drive the evolution of a great variety of those traits that distinguish the sexes and also contribute to the diversification of lineages. Göran Arnqvist and Locke Rowe present an array of evidence for sexual conflict throughout nature, and they set these conflicts into the well-established theoretical framework of sexual selection. The recognition of conflict between the sexes is transforming our theories for the evolution of mating systems and the sexes themselves. Written by two top researchers in the field, Sexual Conflict is the first book to describe this transformation. It is a must read for all scholars and students interested in the evolutionary biology of reproduction."

Avian Incubation: Behaviour, Environment and Evolution

Editor: D.C. Deeming

2002

"This is the first scientific review of all factors affecting incubation in avian nests. These range from nest construction, egg characteristics and patterns of embryonic development. There is an extensive section describing incubation behaviour of parents and embryos, and there are chapters reviewing brood patch physiology and the various factors determining the incubation environment, including nest microbiology. Another section provides chapters giving detailed descriptions of examples of unusual aspects of avian incubation, whilst the final section provides consideration of the ecological, energetic and fitness cost of incubation. Written by authorities in their respective fields from around the world, this provides a comprehensive review of this critical aspect of avian reproduction. Much of the data included has not been previously published, and so Avian Incubation is not only an extensive reference text but is also a valuable contribution to our basic understanding of incubation."

Contents: D C Deeming: Importance and Evolution of Incubation in Avian reproduction; M H Hansell and D C Deeming: Location Structure and Function of Incubation Sites; D C Deeming: Functional Characteristics of Eggs; D C Deeming: Embryonic Development and Utilisation of Egg Components; C M Vleck: Hormonal Control of Incubation Behaviour; D C Deeming: Behaviour Patterns During Incubation; R B Brua: Parent-Embryo Interactions; R W Lea abd H Klandorf: The Brood Patch; J S Turner: Maintenance of Egg Temperature; A Ar and Y Sidis: Nest Microclimate During Incubation; D C Deeming: Patterns and Significance of Egg Turning; G K Baggott and K Graeme-Cook: Microbiology of Natural Incubation; D T Booth and D N Jones: Underground Nesting in the Megapodes; W A Calder III: Characteristics and Constraints of Incubation in Hummingbirds; F R Handsworth and M A Voss: Intermittent Incubation: Predictions and Tests for Time and Heat Allocations; C Carey: Incubation in Extreme Environments; S G Sealy, D G McMaster and B D Peer: Tactics of Obligate Brood Parasites to Secure Suitable Incubators; P N Hebert: Ecological Factors Affecting Initiation of Incubation Behaviour; T J Underwood and S G Sealy: Adaptive Significance of Egg Colouration; J M Tinbergen and J B Williams: Energetics of Incubation; J Reid, P Monaghan and R Nager: Incubation and the Costs of Reproduction; D C Deeming: Perspectives in Avian Incubation."

Sturkie's Avian Physiology

Editor: G. Causey Whittow

5th edition

1999

"Sturkie's Avian Physiology is the classic comprehensive single volume on the physiology of domestic as well as wild birds. The Fifth Edition is thoroughly revised and updated, and includes new chapters on the physiology of incubation and growth. Chapters on the nervous system and sensory organs have been greatly expanded due to the many recent advances in the field. The text also covers the physiology of flight, reproduction in both male and female birds, and the immunophysiology of birds. The Fifth Edition, like the earlier editions, is a must for anyone interested in comparative physiology, poultry science, veterinary medicine, and related fields. This volume establishes the standard for those who need the latest and best information on the physiology of birds."

Lifetime Reproduction in Birds

Editor: Ian Newton

1990

"Biologists have long realized that an individual's reproductive success measured over its entire lifetime is an important component of its fitness. Until recently, however, most of the available measures of breeding output have been restricted to particular breeding seasons, and have often involved unidentifiable individuals. Thanks to long-term studies of marked individuals, information is now available on the lifetime reproduction of many bird species. This book brings together results from most of these studies and presents much new information and many new analyses of classic data sets. A wide variety of types of bird are represented, from small songbirds to seabirds, birds of prey and wildfowl. Important pointers emerge regarding the role of the individual in population processes and the factors which affect individual performance in the wild. The effects of age and experience on breeding success and survival prospects are also assessed, and the question of senility is discussed."