This book updates completely the information on birds of prey and pigeons and doves found in the BSAVA Manual of Raptors, Pigeons and Waterfowl, published twelve years ago. The advent of the new BSAVA Manual of Farm Pets, which encompasses waterfowl, has allowed a change in focus to feature passerine birds in detail for the first time.

The Manual starts with the all-important area of husbandry for the three groups, including those kept as working birds as well as ornamental and pet species. More general topics, such as handling, examination, diagnostic procedures and surgery are dealt with across the groups, with notes as required on specific differences. An excellent chapter is included on endoscopy and endosurgery - a major technique for avian patients.

The specialist section on raptor disease is very detailed, including an in-depth chapter on foot disease, especially bumblefoot. Recent interest in captive breeding is reflected in detailed chapters on reproduction and paediatrics. The sections dedicated to pigeons and passerine birds look at birds at both the individual and flock level.

A wealth of international expert authors, and the BSAVA Manual trademark practical approach and superb full-colour images throughout make this book a wonderful addition to the practice bookshelf.

John Chitty - BVetMed CertZooMed MRCVS
Qualified from the Royal Veterinary College, London, in 1990 and obtained his RCVS Certificate in Zoological Medicine in 2000. He works as a partner in a small animal/exotics practice in Hampshire, where his caseload is approximately 90% exotic (avian/small mammal/zoo), featuring both first-opinion and referral cases. He is the UK representative to the Board of Directors of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV), Secretary to the European Board of the AAV, President of the Veterinary Invertebrate Society and Chairman of the British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council. He co-edited the BSAVA Manual of Psittacine Birds, 2nd edition and is currently co-editor of the Journal of the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians.

Michael Lierz - Dr.med.vet DZooMed(avian) MRCVS
Graduated from the veterinary school in Hannover, Germany, in 1996 and earned his doctorate title by thesis from the Free University of Berlin, working on diseases and rehabilitation of raptors. Following 4 years as Director of the Abu Dhabi Falcon Research Hospital in the United Arab Emirates he returned to the Free University of Berlin in 2001. He is currently working as a scientific assistant at the Institute for Poultry Diseases, leading the department for zoo and pet birds. He is mainly involved in clinical work, but also in epidemiology, diagnosis of infectious diseases, flock management and lecturing. His specialist interests are in mycoplasmas and zoonotic diseases. He holds the RCVS Diplomate status in Zoological Medicine (avian) and is an RCVS recognized specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. In Germany he holds specialist status in Poultry and Avian Medicine, Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, Microbiology, and Species Conservation.