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Download This PDF File Australian Field Ornithology 2017, 34, 137–138 http://dx.doi.org/10.20938/afo34137138 Book Review Australasian Eagles and Eagle-like Birds by Stephen Debus CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne, 2017. Paperback, 74 colour images, 192 pp., RRP AU$49.95. This is an interesting considered forming a non-traditional taxonomic grouping. book from one of The author reviews recent work on two sea-eagles (White- Australia’s leading raptor bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster and Sanford’s authorities. Debus has Sea-Eagle H. sanfordi), a single harpy eagle [New Guinea been a driving force in the Harpy Eagle (Papuan Eagle) Harpyopsis novaeguineae], ornithological literature four booted eagles (Wedge-tailed, Gurney’s Aquila for this region, particularly gurneyia , Little Hieraaetus morphnoides and Pygmy when it comes to raptor- Eagle H. weiskei), and finally three eagle-like hawks focused material. Given (Black-breasted Buzzard Hamirostra melanosternon, this, he is well placed Square-tailed Kite Lophoictinia isura and Red Goshawk to produce a book of Erythrotriorchis radiatus). Together these are an unusual this kind that seeks to subset of the species occupying the geographic region of summarise and highlight interest, with the eagle-like species a somewhat eclectic current knowledge. It addition at the expense of other taxa. This does not is a relatively unusual degrade the usefulness of the book, but rather provides piece, in that rather than a somewhat puzzling artificial limitation of its breadth. At focusing on all the birds least some likely species not considered have not had occupying a given region, it focuses on a rather artificial sufficient research carried out to warrant an update to the grouping of eagles and ‘eagle-like’ birds. It is clear that keyb published references for this group, as noted by the this focus has allowed the author to revisit some of his author. Further, given the species-focus of the material, favourite species, including the Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila each account is effectively stand-alone, so it does not audax that was the subject of the first of his 130+ scientific diminish the material presented. papers some 40 years ago. Given the focus of the book on updating published The book is presented largely as an update to key syntheses of each species, it will be of most use to ornithological literature for the group, such as Handbook raptor researchers, but the material is presented in such of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds (HANZAB). a style that it will also appeal to the interested birder or It performs this task extremely well, and enhances a natural historian eager to learn more about this group. It reader’s ability to utilise it in conjunction with this older is not a field guide, a role more fully filled by the author’s material by largely following similar subheadings to those Birds of Prey of Australia: A Field Guide (2012), but still used in HANZAB. An update to this material is timely, as provides key notes on identification and some amazing HANZAB Volume 2 was published back in 1993! After photographs of each species that highlight key plumage or a General Introduction, information on each species is behavioural features of interest, such as an image of the therefore presented in terms of Field Identification, Habitat, first documented nest of a Pygmy Eagle. These images Breeding Biology and so on, with most species having a complement and enhance the readability of the book. One Commentary section at the end providing the author’s of the more telling components that the book is able to views on key issues relevant to that species. draw upon has been the publication of BirdLife Australia’s One of the more important facets of a publication second Atlas database, enabling fluctuations in reporting of this nature, the bibliography, is helpfully presented rates between the original and the second round of Atlas separately for each species, allowing easy identification data within Australia to be summarised. Unfortunately of source material for the interested researcher. The for most species, this has generally been a reduction in relative increases in knowledge identified for each species reporting frequency in at least some areas of their range, is telling. Widespread, common species such as the further highlighting the need for more research on these Wedge-tailed Eagle have been the focus of numerous new iconic birds. studies, whereas lesser-known taxa from outside Australia Another key comparison that is covered in the book is often rely heavily on just a handful of new publications. the impact of changing rabbit populations on the diets This is highlighted in the Epilogue, where the author and breeding output of taxa following the introduction of further outlines suggested research topics that are most rabbit calicivirus. Although many expected this to have pressing for each species, providing a roadmap for future large, negative, impacts on these larger raptor species, researchers. the book draws together evidence that this has generally Perhaps the most peculiar aspect of the book is the not occurred. Species such as the Wedge-tailed Eagle species that have been selected for its focus, with the ten have instead been able to maintain their breeding success 138 Australian Field Ornithology Review. despite decreases in rabbit numbers, largely as decreases I particularly enjoyed reading the commentary component in this introduced pest are linked with rises in the availability at the end of each species account, as this enabled a of native macropod prey or a shift to other food items such livelier appraisal of the species than some of the drier, but as reptiles. necessary, sections that focus on measurements of nests or pellet sizes, for example. Given this, it was disappointing The book also enables speculations presented in earlier to see that not all species had one of these sections, which publications to be confirmed or, conversely, stated claims seems an oversight given the nature of the book. to be refuted, thanks to new research. For example, the text clarifies that no distinctive plumage characteristics All in all, these are only minor criticisms of what is a very can separate Tasmanian forms of the Wedge-tailed Eagle useful book. The text is highly recommended for those from their mainland counterparts, and identifies sex-role with an interest in the species covered, providing a timely differentiation during breeding to be most common in the and comprehensive update on the research that has been Black-breasted Buzzard. undertaken since the previous summaries conducted at least a decade ago. It provides a highly convenient One aspect that could have been improved is the focus single location for this material that will particularly appeal on phylogeny and current placement of the various taxa to researchers in this field. Hopefully a similar update is following recent molecular investigations. This information underway for some of the other raptors in the region as is prominent in the Introduction and in the early sections well. of each individual species account. Unfortunately, this is presented only as text, making subtle groupings more difficult to follow than they would have been if accompanied Paul McDonald by a figure depicting the focal phylogenetic tree. The Zoology, School of Environmental and Rural Science, material on relationships does, however, help to highlight University of New England, Armidale NSW, Australia the evolutionary links between the different species present in the region, and indeed the significant advances in this area that have occurred in relatively recent times. .
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