It is time for the first monthly ID Challenge! contest for 2009. I hope to spark your curiosity and provide you with a fun way to learn about nature. The prize for this month’s contest is AWESOME. I chose this prize because I want one too!

A photographic showcase of 150 birds at the extremes of nature.

Extreme Birds reveals nature’s ingenuity and sometimes its sense of humor. The species showcased in this book are chosen for their extraordinary characteristics and for behaviors far beyond the typical. They are the biggest, the fastest, the meanest, the smartest. They build the most intricate nests, they have the most peculiar mating rituals, and they dive the deepest or fly the highest. These are the overachievers of the avian world.

About the Author

Dominic Couzens has written many books on birds and birding, leads specialized bird tours, and is a regular contributor to Birdwatch and BBC Wildlife magazines. ¹