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New Jersey

This page lists books about birds and birdwatching in the US state of New Jersey.

The books are arranged by publication date with the most recent at the top of the page.


USA

For bird books that cover all, or a large part of, the USA see the following page:

USA bird books

 

Field Guide to Birds of New Jersey

Rick Wright

Photographs: Brian E Small

American Birding Association

Scott & Nix Inc

2014

"Written by an expert New Jersey birder and filled with crisp, gorgeous color photography, this new field guide is the perfect companion for anyone learning more about the natural history and diversity of the state’s birds and when and where to see them: 368 pages, Flexibound with jacket. 565 beautiful color photographs featuring 255 bird species in natural habitats. Clear and concise introduction, identification, habitat, and birdsong text. Tips on when and where to see species. Organized by type of bird from waterfowl to finches. Table of excursions and birdwatching throughout the seasons. Complete state bird checklist, detailed state map, index, and quick index."

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Mid-Atlantic Birds: Backyard Guide

Bill Thompson III

Cool Springs Press

2013

"Inside, you'll find profiles of the 55 most common birds in the Mid-Atlantic, complete with large color photos, gender-specific physical descriptions, nesting and feeding information, bird call particulars, and interesting stories about each species. Thompson also introduces the reader to the basics of bird watching: essential gear, bird-friendly food and plantings, housing tips, and observational techniques. This guide covers Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania."

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Life Along the Delaware Bay: Cape May Gateway to a Million Shorebirds

Lawrence Niles, Joanna Burger, Amanda Dey

Photography: Jan van de Kam

Rivergate Books

2012

"The Delaware Bay is the second largest and most diverse bay on the East Coast. It has a rich cultural history, has played an important role in the region's commerce and tourism, and has spectacular and vital natural resources. Birdwatchers gather along its shores to watch the spectacle of thousands of spawning horseshoe crabs, the dense flocks of migrant shorebirds, the fall hawk migration, and the huge migration of monarch butterflies. Life Along the Delaware Bay focuses on the area as an ecosystem, the horseshoe crab as a keystone species within that system, and the crucial role that the bay plays in the migratory ecology of shorebirds. An abundance of horseshoe crabs spawning on the Delaware Bay beaches results in an abundance of eggs brought to the surface, providing a source of high-quality food and bringing hundreds of thousands of shorebirds to the bay to forage in late May and early June. A dramatic decline in horseshoe crabs has resulted in a rapid and dramatic decline in birds, particularly the red knot. This decline has sounded an alarm throughout the world, prompting a host of biologists to converge on the bay each spring, to understand the biology and conservation of red knots and other shorebirds."

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New Jersey Birds and Beyond

Susan Puder

Schiffer

2012

"Join photographer Susan Puder as she takes an intimate look at the resident and visiting bird species that inhabit the shores, fields, and forests of New Jersey. The states geographic position along the Atlantic flyway provides the opportunity to see a great variety of species at different times of the year. A natural haven for birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles, New Jersey offers ample viewing opportunities for photographers and nature lovers alike. Here find 358 striking color images and delightful observations of over 180 bird species, along with other native flora and fauna. Whether a casual or serious birder, or a chance visitor to the states environs, these photographs will give a sense of the great diversity in habitats and species that can be found in New Jersey all year round."

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The Birds of New Jersey: Status and Distribution

William J. Boyle

Princeton University Press

2011

"The Birds of New Jersey is the most up-to-date and succinct guide for the birds of New Jersey and includes all species known to the state from historical times to the present. Featuring over 200 color photos of rarities and regular species, this book authoritatively provides individual entries that include a summary of status and seasonal distribution, and comments on changes over time. Detailed color-coded maps accompany species accounts, and for species recorded five or fewer times, dates and locations of each record are noted. The introduction examines the state's geography, the history of bird records, and background information to species accounts, and the extensive bibliography guides birders to original sources used in the book."

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Birds of Cape May, New Jersey

Kevin T. Karlson

Schiffer

2010

"New Jersey's southern Cape is host to huge annual bird migrations, making Cape May one of the best bird-watching locations in the world. Over 400 species have been spotted here. See exquisite photographs that present shore, prey, and song birds commonly seen at Cape May in lively action and flight themes. Birds are shown in foliage appropriate to different seasons, with anecdotes and natural history in concise photo captions. This is a treasure for all who love birds and wildlife photography."

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Backyard Birds of New Jersey: How to Identify and Attract the Top 25 Birds

Bill Fennimore

Gibbs M. Smith Inc

2009

"Backyard Birds is an exciting new series of books that explores the top 25 backyard birds most commonly found in each state. It includes a profiled bird scale that allows readers to easily identify the correct bird, and each bird entry is accompanied by a stunning color photograph and specific descriptions, including identification marks, behavior, habitat and nesting style - even the song the bird makes! As an added feature, author Bill Fenimore also provides expert tips for creating the ultimate backyard bird sanctuary, from creating bird baths and planting proper foliage to offering a bird's favorite foods."

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The Naturalist's Guide to the Atlantic Seashore: Beach Ecology from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras

Scott W. Shurnway

Falcon Press

2008

"From the North Carolina's Outer Banks to Maine's rocky coast, this comprehensive guidebook covers the ecology, wildlife, plants and ocean creatures in full-colour photographs and vivid detail. No other book includes all of the plants, animals, and terrain along this stretch of coastline, making this a must-have for anyone who lives or recreates near the Atlantic. The diverse habitats of the seashore, from the Rocky Shores to Sandy Beaches, Estuaries, Tidal Flats, Salt Marshes, Seagrass Meadows, and the Open Ocean are explored in detail in this user-friendly guide and natural history. The easy-to-use layout, comprehensive index, water-resistant cover and guaranteed binding make this a beautiful volume of natural history and biodiversity."

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Wildlife of the Mid-Atlantic: A Complete Reference Manual

John H. Rappole

University of Pennsylvania Press

2007: Hardback edition

2012: Paperback edition

"The Mid-Atlantic is a geographically and biologically diverse region, ranging from the sandy coastal beaches and blackwater swamps of southeastern Virginia to the boreal bogs and spruce-fir forests of northern Pennsylvania and the highest peaks of West Virginia's Appalachian Mountains. Scientists identify six distinct geologic provinces in the area, along with four climatic zones. As John H. Rappole explains, these varied landforms and climates create the environment for the variety of wildlife found in the region. This well-illustrated volume is the most comprehensive and up-to-date guide to the wildlife of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. Approximately 550 species are described, including all birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians known to inhabit the area, excluding open ocean species. Each species is illustrated and a distribution map is included with every entry. The species accounts contain a physical description, data on habitat and distribution, habits, diet, reproduction, conservation status, and one or more key references. Sections cover the major habitat types in the region (including descriptions and photos), physical geography, climate, and conservation challenges. In addition, the book has a glossary of nearly 400 technical terms."

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Paperback edition

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Hardback edition


Compact Guide to New Jersey Birds

Paul Lehman, Gregory Kennedy and Krista Kagume

Lone Pine Publishing

2007

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Birds and Birding at Cape May

Clay & Pat Sutton

Stackpole Books

2006

"Geography, topography, weather patterns, and unique natural features make Cape May, New Jersey, one of the most important birding sites in North America. Throughout the year, especially during spring and fall, thousands of birders travel to Cape May from around the country - and across the ocean - to witness the arrival of tens of thousands of raptors, songbirds, shorebirds, and seabirds. In this lavishly illustrated guide, Cape May birders can find out exactly when and where in the region to go, what birds they're likely to see, why the birds are there, and what factors could affect the birds' behaviour."

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Field Guide to Birds: New Jersey

Editor: Mel Baughman

National Geographic

2005

"New Jersey, a favourite among birders, is home to urban birds, suburban birds, and shore birds. The variety and beauty of the bird populations in these regions make them popular destinations for birding trips, but the success and enjoyment of a trip often depends on the quality of the birding guide. National Geographic Field Guide to Birds provides affordable, portable, reliable region specific information, perfect for the novice or experienced birder. Each guide features 150 specimens, grouped by family with quick-reference alphabetical and colour-coded indexes that provide easy ways to identify a bird quickly. Each entry has a vivid photograph showing the bird in its native habitat. On the facing page, a list of bulleted points confirms at a glance the bird's identity."

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Endangered and Threatened Wildlife of New Jersey

Editor: Bruce E. Beans and Larry Niles

Rutgers University Press

2003

"Every corner of New Jersey harbors natural wildlife of such value that it attracts birders and other naturalists from around the world. From the barrier beaches and coastal marshes at the ocean's edge, through the flood-plain forests and pine barrens, across the fertile rolling hills of the piedmont, to the highlands; ridges, and valleys of northwestern New Jersey, the state is a cornucopia of wildlife. With over 500 species calling the state home, New Jersey ranks as one of the most diverse wildlife habitats in the country. The state's importance doesn't end at the borders-New Jersey provides critical food and shelter to hundreds of species that use the state as a stop along their migratory route. Yet, in the nation's most densely populated state, the loss of habitat continues at a relentless pace. The race is on to save natural areas and the species dependent upon them for survival. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife of New Jersey is a richly illustrated color guide to the state's fifty-four most imperlled species, from bobcats to bobolinks, shortnosed sturgeons to loggerhead turtles, frosted elfins to triangle floaters, blue whales to American burying beetles. Here, the authors detail each animal's natural history, reasons for its decline, what's been done so far-and what must be done-to keep New Jersey's wildlife flourishing. Written primarily by the people who know these species best, the biologists of the New Jersey Endangered and Nongame Species program, the book is divided into seven sections-mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, and bivalves. A chapter on individual species details animal identification, distribution, habitat, diet, life cycle, status and conservation, and limiting factors and threats, as well as recommendations for preservation."

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A Guide to Bird Finding in New Jersey

William J. Boyle Jr

Rutgers University Press

2002

"New Jersey is one of the smallest and most densely populated states, yet the remarkable diversity of its birdlife surpasses that of many larger states. Well over 400 species of birds have been recorded in New Jersey and an active birder can hope to see more than 300 species in a year. William J. Boyle has updated his classic guide to birding in New Jersey, featuring all new maps and ten new illustrations. The book is an invaluable companion for every birder - novice or experienced, New Jerseyan or visitor. A Guide to Bird Finding in New Jersey features: more than 130 top birding spots described in detail; clear maps, travel directions, species lists, and notes on birding; an annotated list of the frequency and abundance of the state's birds, including waterbirds, pelagic birds, raptors, migrating birds, and northern and southern birds at the edge of their usual ranges; and a comprehensive bibliography and index."

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Birds of the Mid-Atlantic Region and Where to Find Them

John H. Rappole

Johns Hopkins University Press

2002

"With its dramatic range of habitats, from the beaches of the Atlantic to the wetlands of the Chesapeake Bay and the alpine forests of the Appalachians, the Mid-Atlantic region is home to 346 species of birds. For amateur and experienced birders alike, few areas offer so many opportunities to see such a rich variety of avian life. Birds of the Mid-Atlantic Region and Where to Find Them is the only comprehensive field guide to bird life in the area (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia) that also directs readers to public sites where each species can be found. Noted ornithologist John H. Rappole provides extensive information about every species: description, identification details for distinguishing similar species, habitat preference, vocalization, range, and Mid-Atlantic seasonal occurrence, abundance, and distribution. Each entry is accompanied by a color photograph, making identification easy for amateur bird watchers, and by a range of maps. A helpful guide to sites lists the best places to spot specific birds, from common species to rarities, and how to reach the sites by car."

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Bird Studies at Old Cape May: An Ornithology of Coastal New Jersey

Witmer STone

Stackpole Books

2000

"In the early 1900s, ornithologist Witmer Stone spent years observing and recording the bird life in and around Cape May, New Jersey, one of the premier birding spots in the country. The details of his observations, first published in 1937 by the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club and long out of print, are republished here for the first time in one volume. Where the birds live, their habits and behaviours, physical descriptions, what they eat, when they migrate, and how population status has shifted - all described in vivid detail. A unique look at how birding in Cape May has changed, and how it's stayed the same."

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25 Nature Spectacles in New Jersey

Joanna Burger and Michael Gochfeld

Rutgers University Press

2000

"From mating horseshoe crabs in the Delaware Bay to goldenclub and orchids at Web's Mill Bog, the authors show us Garden State nature at its best. Although New Jersey boasts far more than twenty-five nature spectacles, the authors have selected those that are the most dramatic, predictable, and characteristic of the state so readers can easily enjoy them over and over again. Being in the right place at the right time makes all the difference, so the guidebook is organized by season to ensure the best viewing. Each chapter begins with a photo and a brief description of the spectacle. A listing of key locations, directions, and the best time to visit follows. A prime habitat section provides a brief characterization of the appropriate surroundings to look for the plant or animal spectacle. The description provides ambiance and natural and life history information, allowing readers to enjoy fully what they are observing. A final section lists an agency or organization where more information can be found. The book contains maps as well as a calendar of recommended events, including the Lambertville Shad Festival and the Barnegat Bay Duck Decoy Festival. The authors also list a number of other spectacles that didn't make the top 25 list, but are well worth checking out."

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Birds of New Jersey: Field Guide

Stan Tekiela

Adventure Publishing

2000

"Learn about and identify birds using Stan Tekiela's state-by-state field guides. The full-page, color photos are incomparable and include insets of winter plumage, color morphs and more. Plus, with the easy-to-use format, you don't need to know a bird's name or classification in order to easily find it in the book."

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New Jersey's Owls

Len Soucy

Raptor Trust

2nd edition

2000

A 62 page guide to the 8 species of owls found in New Jersey.

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Birds of New Jersey

Editor: Joan Walsh, Vince Elia, Rich Kane, and Thomas Halliwell

New Jersey Audubon Society

1999

Primarily a breeding bird atlas based on data collected between 1993 and 1997. 210 species are described.

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Field Guide to the Mid-Atlantic States

National Audubon Society

1999

"Filled with concise descriptions and stunning photographs, the National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Mid-Atlantic States belongs in the home of every Mid-Atlantic resident and in the suitcase or backpack of every visitor. This compact volume contains: an easy-to-use field guide for identifying 1,000 of the state's wildflowers, trees, mushrooms, mosses, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, butterflies, mammals, and much more; a complete overview of the Mid-Atlantic region's natural history, covering geology, wildlife habitats, ecology, fossils, rocks and minerals, clouds and weather patterns, and the night sky; and an extensive sampling of the area's best parks, preserves, beaches, forests, islands, and wildlife sanctuaries, with detailed descriptions and visitor information for 50 sites and notes on dozens of others. The guide is packed with visual information - the 1,500 full-color images include more than 1,300 photographs, 18 maps, and 16 night-sky charts, as well as more than 100 drawings explaining everything from geological processes to the basic features of different plants and animals. For everyone who lives or spends time in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, or Washington, D.C."

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New Jersey Birds: An Introduction to Familiar Species

Waterford Press

1999

"A pocket reference guide printed on laminate material and folded for easy storage and retrieval. It includes color illustrations of common bird species and an inset map of popular bird sanctuaries."

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Birds of New York City: Western Long Island and NE New Jersey

Chris C. Fisher and Andy Bezener

Lone Pine Publishing

1998

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A Pine Barrens Odyssey: A Naturalist's Year in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey

Howard P. Boyd

Plexus Publishing

1997

"A Pine Barrens Odyssey is a detailed perspective of the seasons in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Primarily focused on the chronology of the natural features of the Pine Barrens, this book is meant as a companion to Howard P. Boyd's previous title, A Field Guide to the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Boyd's Odyssey and Field Guide books are a complete collection for anyone interested in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. The Field Guide can be used as a reference tool for the types of flora and fauna, and the Odyssey as a calendar of what to expect and look for season by season in this beautiful natural area of New Jersey."

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The Smithsonian Guides to Natural America: The Mid-Atlantic States: New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey

Eugene Walters

Random House

1996

"Experience the natural wonders of the Mid-Atlantic region with The Smithsonian Guides' expert mix of information, history, and stunning photography. Here is the natural bounty of the region in full detail: the wind-blown dunes of Fire Island, over 800 plant species in New Jersey's Pine Barrens, hiking trails and whitewater rafting in Pennsylvania's state parks, and the high peaks and untouched wilderness of the Adirondacks."

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Season at the Point: The Birds and Birders of Cape May

Jack Connor

Avalon Travel Publishing

1994

"Cape May Point, New Jersey, is home to a natural phenomenon of stunning proportions. Each autumn millions of migrating birds converge here on their annual flight to wintering grounds as far away as Brazil and Peru. Season at the Point, the rich and telling story of the birds and birders of Cape May, evokes the sense of mystery and excitement that pervades the Cape as birders gather to count owls by the hundreds, hawks by the tens of thousands, and shorebirds and songbirds by the hundreds of thousands."

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The Birds of Cape May

David Sibley

Rutgers University Press

First edition: 1993

Revised edition: 1997

"This book is an annotated checklist compiling over 100 years of records of over 400 species of birds recorded in Cape May County, New Jersey. Including nformation on status, migration timing, high counts, rare records, habitat and distribution within the county,and historical changes in status. The introduction also includes a very brief discussion of where and when to look for birds at Cape May."

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Seasonal Guide to the Natural Year: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C

Scott Weidensaul

Fulcrum

1992

"These comprehensive guides offer a unique approach to travel for naturalists of all stripes, providing information on where to go and when to go. Month-by-month listings enable nature lovers to explore and behold the spectacular natural events that occur in these regions through the seasons. Whether birder, photographer, wildflower buff, or eco-traveler, you will find the Seasonal Guides essential resources for viewing nature's best shows."

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A Field Guide to the Pine Barrens of New Jersey: Its Flora, Fauna, Ecology and Historic Sites

Howard P. Boyd

Plexus Publishing

1991

"The ultimate handbook to the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Boyd begins his book by explaining and defining what makes this sandy-soiled, wooded habitat so diverse and unusual. Each entry gives a detailed, non-technical description of a Pine Barrens plant or animal (for over 700 species), indicating when and where it is most likely to appear. Complementing most listings is an original ink drawing that will greatly aid the reader in the field as they search for and try to identify specific flora and fauna."

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The Status and Distribution of New Jersey's Birds

Charles F. Leck

Rutgers University Press

1984

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Birding the Delaware Valley Region

A Comprehensive Guide to Birdwatching in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Central and Southern New Jersey and North Central Delaware

John J. Harding & Justin J. Harding

Temple University Press

1981

"For the thousands of local birdwatchers and the many hundreds of visitors, this glove compartment-sized book places all the excitement and opportunity of the Delaware Valley's 335 species of birds within convenient reach. Huge in coverage yet compact in size, "Birding the Delaware Valley Region" is the first comprehensive bird-finding guide available for the region. With detailed directions like "behind the airport," "follow the shabby road off to the left," and "lock the car and walk the railroad tracks," this exuberant handbook tells the birder exactly how to get to the best locations and what to do when he's there. In addition to providing maps showing topographical outlines, it surveys key areas (all within a two-hour drive of Philadelphia) where most of the region's birds can be found: Hawk Mountain, Cape May Point State Park, Ridley Creek State Park, Tinicum Marsh, Brigantine National Wildlife refuge, and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge.Mini-chapters discuss additional birding "hot spots" famous for great numbers of migrants, and short references to another thirty "spots" round out the regions' bird refuges to more than seventy. Simple cross-checking can be done with the annotated list, the list of accidental or casual species, the bibliography, and the index located at the end of the guide."

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New Jersey's Owls

Leonard J. Soucy

1980

An 18 page booklet that describes the 8 species of owls found in New Jersey.

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The Birds Of New Jersey: Their Habits And Habitats

Charles F. Leck

Rutgers University Press

1975

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Birds Of The New York Area

John Bull

Foreword: Roger Tory Peterson

Harper & Row

1964

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Woodpeckers, Nuthatches And Creepers Of New Jersey

Leon Augustus Hausman

New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station

1928

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Birds Of The New York City Region

Ludlow Griscom

Handbook Series, No. 9

The American Museum of Natural History

1923

Contents:

  • Introduction: Area Included
  • Life-Zones
  • Seasonal Variation in Bird-Life
  • Migrations and Movements of Local Birds
  • Local Regions
  • The Local Collection
  • Changes in Bird-Life
  • Bibliography of Useful Literature
  • Annotated List of Local Birds
  • Appendix: Extinct and Extirpated Species
  • Appendix: Introduced Species
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Last updated January 2014