"Right now, almost 1,200 bird species -- one in eight -- are threatened with extinction, and without our help, hundreds will disappear by the year 2100."
- from the introduction
About a third of the world bird species make their homes in rainforests, which offer moderate temperatures, protective shelter and ample food supply. Unfortunately the rainforests are disappearing. A few thousand years ago tropical rainforests covered as much as 12 percent of the Earth's land surface. Today, that figure is reduced by half, the result of logging, mining, and the clearing of land for human settlements. More than 600 species of rainforest birds are threatened with extinction.
Rainforest Bird Rescue profiles projects and people around the world who are working to prevent the loss of these beautiful birds:
- Somprat Polchoo is head of the Khao Nor Chuchi forest protection unit in southern Thailand, one of the last known strongholds of the critically endangered Gurney's Pitta
- The Western Canada Wilderness Committee is working to prevent the destruction of the Northern Spotted Owl's habitat in the ancient rainforests of British Columbia
- The Rainforest Alliance, which encourages farmers in El Salvador to grow coffee in the traditional way -- under a forest canopy that supports wildlife -- is saving precious habitat for the golden-cheeked warbler
- Richard and Margot Frisius are founders of Amigos de las Ayes, which breeds endangered Costa Rican macaws and releases them into the wild.
Illustrated with 50 spectacular color photographs, Rainforest Bird Rescue covers the people, the issues and the challenges involved in preserving a future for endangered wildlife.
About the Firefly Animal Rescue series:
The Firefly Animal Rescue identifies endangered and threatened species and what is being done to protect them. Combining lively, accessible text and stunning color photographs, each book provides a detailed overview of the species, describing its characteristics, behavior, habits, physiology and more.
"These attractive books are a call to action... fascinating readable accounts."
- School Library Journal
"Succinct introductions to the science and practice of wildlife conservation... written in accessible, lively language."
- Booklist
