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Kingfisher
Series: Animal
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Kingfisher
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
This beautifully illustrated book delves into the origins and diversity of the more than 120 species of kingfishers, from the burly kookaburras to the diminutive birds that daringly pluck spiders off webs, defining their characteristics, their differences, their lifestyles and their cultural significance around the world.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
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Description
Kingfishers are a sight to behold. The dash and verve of this cosmopolitan bird have been admired for millennia, appearing in creation myths, imperial regalia, and cultural iconography, and they were once valued as highly as gold. Artists used their iridescent feathers in Tian-tsui, an iconic style of Chinese fine art, for more than 2,400 years.
The magnificent temples at Angkor Wat in Cambodia owe their existence in part to the great wealth generated by the live kingfisher trade from the Indochina Peninsula. As a muse, kingfishers have influenced philosophers, playwrights, and artists, from the Roman poet Ovid to Carl Jung, Charles Darwin, and others. More recently, bio-mimicry engineers have turned to kingfishers for inspiration.
This beautifully illustrated book delves into the origins and diversity of the more than 120 species of kingfishers, from the burly kookaburras to the diminutive birds that daringly pluck spiders off webs, defining their characteristics, their differences, their lifestyles, and their cultural significance around the world.
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Kingfisher by Ildiko Szabo explores the diverse size, behaviour, and stunning colours of kingfishers, which have inspired literature, mythology, and art. The book discusses these birds' influence on scientific thought, including works by Darwin and Freud, and their cultural significance in Eastern traditions. Bioengineers have been inspired by the kingfisher's visual and aerodynamic features. Readers are offered extensive insights into bird lore across history and cultures in this well-illustrated volume.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781789141399
Publisher: Reaktion Books
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 16 September 2019
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Reaktion Books
Illustration: 100 illustrations, 90 in colour
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 135.0mm
Height: 190.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 200
About the Author
Ildiko Szabo is Collections Curator of the Cowan Tetrapod Collection at the University of British Columbia Beaty Biodiversity Museum, Vancouver. She is the co-author of British Columbia Pelagic Marine Copepoda: An Identification Manual and Annotated Bibliography (1982).
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