Birds on the Brink

Focusing on some 150 threatened bird species of South Africa and its oceans, and of neighbouring Lesotho and Eswatini, Birds on the Brink combines scientific rigour with compelling storytelling to highlight the beauty, unique traits and vulnerabilities of these birds. The accounts delve into the life and habits of each species, detailing physical characteristics, behaviours, ecological significance and the threats the birds face.

Alongside most of the accounts are personal narratives from those researchers working on the frontlines to safeguard these species. While these offer a first-hand glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of wildlife conservation, they also offer reasons for optimism, showing how certain conservation efforts can help to bring species back from the brink of extinction.

Beautifully designed and highly illustrated, the book features some 350 full-colour photographs and annotated range maps based on the latest scientific models.

With its message of hope, Birds on the Brink will appeal to bird enthusiasts and conservationists – and to all who care about the future of these remarkable animals and the urgency to protect them.

Alan Lee is an ornithologist and conservationist working as the Science and Innovation Programme Manager at BirdLife South Africa, where he leads the organisation’s work on Red Lists. In addition, he manages a Stewardship Nature Reserve affiliated with the governmental conservation body CapeNature and the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Shamiso Banda is a conservationist, independent researcher and science communicator. She completed and MSc in Zoology, with a focus on marine biology, at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. Together with Alan Lee, she is co-editor of Birds on the Brink.