This is the definitive book on the seabirds of the world. It covers virtually all the known species, including sea ducks, loons, and grebes. Each species is beautifully illustrated in color, with different plumages, postures, and views shown to provide visual information not previously available in any book. The clearly written species descriptions include every detail needed for precise identification: plumage (adult breeding, adult nonbreeding, subadult, immature, and juvenile), flight habits and jizz, distribution and movements, similar species, subspecies, alternate names, and other important characteristics. Line drawings and identification keys amplify points made in the text and on the color plates. Color range maps show the distribution of each species throughout the world. The introduction gives a brief survey of the world's seabirds, describing in detail and illustrating the major identification characters that distinguish the different groups of seabirds.