Ed Drewitt has been collecting feathers and skulls since he was seven years old and studying the diet of urban peregrines for over twenty years. He has a good eye for identifying even the tiniest of feathers and has learnt which body parts we are most likely to find after a raptor has fed.
Description
Introduction Finding and identifying raptor prey remains --Where to begin --Who's been at work? A mammal or bird predator? --Signs of predation --Visiting regular prey sites --Collecting safely --Working out how many individuals of species you have --Building up a reference collection and protecting from insects --What clues do different raptors leave behind? --Other resources for identifying prey --My own story - learning my feathers and identifying peregrine prey Parts of a bird Glossary Prey species
Reviews
It is certainly interesting to see the resultant feathers and other remains, and, from that to be able to use this book to see the bird breakfast some passing sparrowhawk or peregrine has had... A welcome addition to serious birders' bookshelves. -- Bo Beolens * Fatbirder * The book you have all been waiting for! This makes life so easy when you find remains in your garden or out in the countryside... A must-have. -- John Miles * Birdwatching * The bulk of the book consists of images of bits of over 100 species, mostly birds, that you might find in raptor nests or on plucking posts. These concentrate on those parts of the bird you are most likely to encounter under such circumstances and which are of most help in clinching identification. They are fascinating - truly fascinating. -- Mark Avery This is a book that may appeal to raptor workers or other ecologists as a reference tool in the exciting whodunnit mysteries that prey remains present to those of us with a fascination for such things. -- Anthony Wetherhill * British Trust for Ornithology * Lots of pictures... good general instructions... -- Pertti Koskimies * Linnut Magazine * The text is concise but helpful, drawing attention to the key features to look out for... This is a good, accessible introduction to this subject. It provides a good feel for the types of remains worth looking out for, and it will be of great help in identifying the more commonly found species. -- Ian Carter * British Birds * It should please any aspiring nature detective, and there is a certain gory fascination here for any birder. -- Will Cresswell * Scottish Birds * A must have for all European raptor researchers. I wish we had a book like this for North America! * The Birdbooker Report * Drewitt's passion and knowledge are evident. His work sparks inquiry and offers insight into why raptor prey remains are worth contemplation...I consumed this cover to cover and would again happily recommend Raptor Prey Remains to any reader enticed by the title, and for all who relish in educational content in unusual forms. -- Melissa T. Yang * American Birding Association *