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B
irds are one of the most popular and
visible forms of all wildlife and are inextri-
cably linked with the development of human
cultures all around the world. Over the years
some of the most eye-catching species of
bird have been officially or unofficially adopt-
ed by countries as symbols of their national
identity; there are now almost 100 national
birds spanning every imaginable group from
condors to parrots, trogons to frigatebirds.
Both a comprehensive listing and guide
book, National BIrds provides a range of
information from species data to how these
birds have been used and abused through
the ages. It recounts tales of how they came
to be adopted and presents a wide range
of official and cultural contexts where they
appear from feathers in tribal costumes to
stamps and currency.
Guatemala
Resplendent quetzal
(Pharomachrus mocinno)
Argentina
Rufous hornero
(Furnarius rufus)
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rican spindalis
(Spindalis Portoricensis)
Bahamas
American flamingo
(Phoenicopterus ruber)
Antigua
and Barbuda
Magnificent frigatebird
(Fregata magnificens)