Only few birds are capable of survival in deserts. The renowned ornithologist William E. Cook describes how various birds of prey cope with heat and drought through morphological, physiological, as well as behavioral adaptations.

Inhalt
1 Introduction.- 1.1 The Desert Environment.- 1.2 Temperature Regulation in Desert Birds.- 1.3 Advantages of a Carnivorous Diet for Desert Survival.- 1.4 Water Conservation in Desert Birds.- 2 Vultures.- 2.1 Predatory Behavior in Vultures.- 2.2 Temperature Regulation in Vultures.- 2.3 Water Conservation in Vultures.- 3 Hawks and Allies.- 3.1 Predatory Behavior in Hawks and Allies.- 3.2 Breeding Behavior in Hawks and Allies.- 3.3 Temperature Regulation in Hawks and Allies.- 3.4 Water Conservation in Hawks and Allies.- 4 Roadrunners.- 4.1 Predatory Behavior in Roadrunners.- 4.2 Temperature Regulation in Roadrunners.- 4.3 Water Conservation in Roadrunners.- 5 Owls.- 5.1 Predatory Adaptations in Owls.- 5.2 Temperature Regulations in Owls.- 5.3 Water Conservation in Owls.- 6 Shrikes.- 6.1 Predatory Behavior in Shrikes.- 6.2 Breeding Behavior in Shrikes.- 6.3 Temperature Regulation in Shrikes.- 6.4 Water Conservation in Shrikes.- Acknowledgements.- References.- Species Index.