A Parrot Without a Name: The Search for the Last Unknown Birds on Earth

By Don Stap

Book Overview

Traveling with ornithologists John O'Neill and Ted Parker on two separate expeditions into the Peruvian rain forest, Don Stap gives a firsthand account of the gritty realities and unexpected triumphs... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0292765290
• ISBN13: 9780292765290
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: University of Texas Press
• Length: 239 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.6" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Excellent book about the frontiers of ornithology

Anyone who thinks all the vertebrates of this world have been discovered and described should think again. This book chronicles the work of ornithologists in the mountains and jungles of Peru and elsewhere in South America as they hunt for new and often exotic bird species. Focusing mainly on the work of LSU ornithologists and in particular the accomplished John O'Neill, it provides a first hand view of such expeditions, describes many of the new birds species found, shows how ornithologists work (it's not just bird-watching either), and provides interesting discussions on issues relating to taxonomy, scientific credibility, collecting specimens, conservation, neotropical ecology, evolution, and even South American politics. I highly recommend it.

Recounts the details of birding expeditions in Peru

The visceral details of collecting specimens oftropical birds and the gruelling politics of bringingsuch an expedition to Peru make for intense reading. An avid birder, Stap managed to hook up with LSU ornithologists John O'Neill and the late Ted Parker. Through the dense canopy he followed the crew and documented their trials and triumphs. Most notably a new species of parrot was found.