To the untrained eye, all reed warblers may look alike. Anyone who takes a closer look will quickly realize that there is in fact an amazing spectrum of different ecological and adaptive strategies across the world´s 53 species. Members of the reed warbler family have been models for this diversity in a large number of biological studies of avian lifestyles. Many of these have resulted in outstanding findings and set new standards in behavioural and evolutionary ecology.

The authors rise to the challenge of determining how the members of the family have diversified by comparing their relationships and ecologies. This comparative approach runs like a thread throughout this book and touches on almost all biological aspects, ranging from habitat use, competition and communication to reproduction and brood parasitism, mating systems, migration, population dynamics, island life and convergent evolution. The life strategies of these ‘little brown jobs’ exemplify some of the key topics in 21st century ornithology.

• Winner of the BB/BTO Best Bird Book of the Year 2012 award

• the members of the reed warbler family display an astonishing diversity in ecology and life strategies, and have been used extensively as models in research

• this integrative overview combines published and unpublished information and is richly illustrated with large numbers of photographs, drawings and maps

• a fascinating read for bird watchers and bird researchers alike

In cooperation with Max Planck Institute for Ornithology.

Volume editor: Jonathan A. Silk