Wildfowl

New Naturalist Wildfowl provides a much-anticipated overview of the fascinating birds that have become icons of our diminishing wilderness areas.

Wildfowl – swans, geese and ducks – have been the subject of poetry, fables, folklore and music, and a source of inspiration to writers, artists, historians and naturalists alike. Historically, they have featured prominently in our diet – more recently they have become the most widely domesticated group of birds. Wildfowl have been scientifically studied more intensively than any other group of birds and were one of the first groups to highlight more general issues of conservation. Their status as the most popular group of birds is underlined by the success of the original Wildfowl Trust (now the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust).

David Cabot has been obsessed with wildfowl for nearly sixty years. In this seminal new work, he discusses the 56 species of wildfowl that have been recorded either in a natural state, or that have been introduced and now maintain self-sustaining populations in Britain and Ireland. He focuses on their social behaviour, feeding ecology and population dynamics, and in particular their seasonal migration patterns. He also explores the evolution and history of wildfowl and our long relationship with them, through popular mythology and legends, which continue to fascinate us with a sense of mystery and awe.

Reviews

‘Superb photographs and paintings’
The Irish Times

Praise for David Cabot’s previous New Naturalist:

Ireland
'Ireland is a monumental, near-definitive natural history of this country … a valuable, scientifically-based, professionally-indexed and accessible study …'
The Irish Times

'An outstanding reference work as well as a compendium of fascinating detail. It deserves an honoured place on the library shelves of every home and school.'
Sunday Independent Dublin

Praise for the New Naturalist series:

'The series is an amazing achievement.'
The Times Literary Supplement

'The books are glorious to own.'
Independent

About the author

Dr David Cabot has been involved with nature in Ireland for the last forty years, initially at Trinity College, Dublin, then at the University of Galway and then in numerous government positions, culminating in being the special adviser to the Irish Prime Minister.