Birds on the Brink: South Africa's Threatened Birds and Those Working to Save Them

By Alan Lee and Shamiso Banda

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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1775848736
• ISBN13: 9781775848738
• Release Date: November 2025
• Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
• Length: 360 Pages