How many of the world’s rarest birds have not been seen at all in the 21st century? What exactly is a Critically Endangered species and what is the difference between it and an Endangered species? How many Sociable Lapwings are there really? Are the Asian vulture species faring better now that the cause of their decline is known? And what about those hard-working birders out in the jungle who are describing new species to science all the time: what do they think are the most urgent conservation issues? And why on earth are Balearic Shearwaters turning up in increasing numbers around Britain?

These issues and many more are discussed in the new Rare Birds Yearbook 2008, published this month. Presenting in one volume the most recent information about the lives and conservation status of the world’s rarest birds, the Rare Birds Yearbook covers the 189 species that are considered the most threatened of all – that is, those formally classified by BirdLife International and the IUCN as Critically Endangered. Some have not been seen for many years, while others, such as Sociable Lapwing, have been recently found to number more individuals than expected.

Each species is illustrated with at least one colour photograph or painting. Most of the photos were provided by photographers from all over the world who took part in a contest launched in May specifically for the yearbook. The winning images can be viewed at www.rarebirdsyearbook.com/winners.htm.

Some birds are so rare they have never been photographed at all and are illustrated with paintings by skilled wildlife artists like Blake Twigden, Doug Pratt and Carl Johan Tofte.

Rare Birds Yearbook is divided into three parts: an introductory section comprising seven features; a directory of the 189 Critically Endangered species; and a series of appendices. The features cover conservation issues such as the sensational rediscovery of Madagascar Pochard, a species feared extinct; why Balearic Shearwater has been upgraded to Critically Endangered and possible reasons for its more frequent occurrence around Britain; and how eco-tourism may be affecting these species and could contribute to their survival.

Four birders whose names appear in papers describing new species for science are also profiled, and they voice their concerns about conservation.

There is full information on all 189 species classified by BirdLife International/IUCN as Critically Endangered

The directory of species takes up the main part of the book, with at least one colour illustration and a distribution map for each species, as well as text describing its population and habits, and conservation action that has been taken or is still required. Each species is allocated between half a page and two pages, depending on how much is known about it, how much photographic material there is and what is new in terms of its conservation or whether any new or exciting discoveries have been made about it in the past year. Accounts covering a full page or more include a chronology of important dates in the species’ life history.

Birds are dynamic creatures and the coverage of each species will vary in future editions; indeed, some may be removed from the Critically Endangered list, whereas others will no doubt be added.

Fortunately, relatively few Palearctic species fall into the Critically Endangered category, but you can still read about Siberian Crane, Northern Bald Ibis, Azores Bullfinch, Raso Lark and Slender-billed Curlew in addition to Balearic Shearwater and Sociable Lapwing. Moreover, even the most dedicated Palearctic fanatic will probably find it hard to resist the images of some of the more colourful non-Palearctic species portrayed.

The statistics and lists making up the final part of the book include a complete inventory of BirdLife partners around the world; the last known dates when some species have been seen; specific threats and the species they affect; and tour operators who can lead you to a Critically Endangered species.

A softback volume comprising 274 pages, Rare Birds Yearbook 2008 will be updated annually. £4 of the retail price will be donated to BirdLife International, so buying the book makes a real contribution to the organisation’s important work for global bird conservation. This book is not just for birders, but for birds too.

See: New competition