This is the 3rd edition of a book first published in 1972 as Veterinary Aspects of Captive Birds of Prey, the first modern treatise on the medicine of these groups of birds, otherwise known as raptors. A 2nd edition was published in 1985. In this new version, the previous text has been retained, although it has been expanded substantially. In addition, contributions from 5 other authors have been included as new chapters.
Veterinarians may be called upon to examine and treat birds of prey in a variety of situations. Raptors are frequent patients in avian rehabilitation centers; they may also be found in zoos and with hobbyists and falconers in many parts of the world. Free-living birds are now studied medically on their own merit and in view of their importance as monitors, and even reservoirs, of diseases of domestic animals and humans. The new edition has been renamed with consideration now given to diseases of wild birds too.
The author has always paid full tribute to the history of falconry. References to hawk diseases were recorded over 1000 years ago, and the first discussion of the subject in English was published in 1486. This makes fascinating reading. Similarly, discussion of material that was standard practice 30 years ago, but is now avian medical history, is still included.
The chapters on Infectious Diseases, Parasites, Foot Conditions, Neurological Disorders, Nutritional Diseases, Anaesthesia and Surgery, and Miscellaneous and Emerging Diseases have been retained and expanded, but they are now interspersed with Anatomy, Poisoning in Wild Birds, and Diseases of Wild Populations.
A lengthy appendix includes a diagnostic key based on presenting signs and lesions, a formulary, and sections on health monitoring, postmortem technique, and the law as it relates to raptors. Approximately 1300 references from the scientific and general literature on birds of prey complement the text.
Since the original publication, knowledge of wild bird medicine and pathology has blossomed. The original publication was aimed at both the veterinarian and the raptor enthusiast, and this intent has been maintained. The text is based on the author's own experiences and those of others in treating birds of prey. It provides a thorough overview of the literature and the issues in raptor medicine, and it is an ideal starting point for anyone wishing to study any aspect of raptor health.
However, this is not a comprehensive clinical text, but it concentrates on those areas of greatest practical interest. The style is prosaic and discursive with very few headings. There is little structure to the text and one topic tends to run into another, sometimes without an obvious connection. The text also tends to get bogged down in generalities, and the space devoted to the subjects is uneven. The chapter on anatomy, for instance, is interesting, but it is very selective and not particularly useful to the practitioner faced with a surgical repair of a hawk's wing. Organization of some material into tables would have been beneficial. A limited number of photographs and drawings have been added, but some of the plates in the previous edition have been eliminated, to the detriment of the work.
While there is plenty on clinical medicine, much of the discussion is of a general nature and the reader is directed to original references or reviews for details. This may be frustrating for those looking for a clinical guide to raptor medicine. Even though the book was published in 2002, its preparation must have predated the emergence of West Nile virus in North America, which is having an enormous impact on wild raptor populations and is a significant threat to captive collections here.
Birds of Prey: Health & Disease is an valuable contribution to the avian literature and should appeal to a wide readership of veterinarians, falconers, avian researchers, and students, but it may be of less value to clinicians seeking a purely clinical text.