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USA

This page lists a selection of books about birds that cover the whole, or a large part of, the United States. The books are listed by publication date with the most recent at the top.


North America

Many bird books cover the whole of North America. These are listed on:

North America Bird Books


US States

For state specific books see:

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Ohio
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South Carolina
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Wisconsin
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Washington D.C.

 

Feeder Birds of the Northwest: A Folding Pocket Guide to Common Backyard Birds

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Waterford Press

2017

"This guide profiles 40 common feeder birds found in the Northwest United States, along with feeder types and recommended foods for attracting each species. Also included are comments about each species' habitat and behaviors."

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Feeder Birds of the Midwest: A Folding Pocket Guide to Common Backyard Birds

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Waterford Press

2017

"This guide profiles 40 common feeder birds found in the Midwest United States, along with feeder types and recommended foods for attracting each species. Also included are comments about each species' habitat and behaviors."

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Feeder Birds of the Southwest: A Folding Pocket Guide to Common Backyard Birds

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Waterford Press

2017

"This guide profiles 40 common feeder birds found in the Southwest United States, along with feeder types and recommended foods for attracting each species. Also included are comments about each species' habitat and behaviors."

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Feeder Birds of the Southeast: A Folding Pocket Guide to Common Backyard Birds

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Waterford Press

2017

"This guide profiles 40 common feeder birds found in the Southeast United States, along with feeder types and recommended foods for attracting each species. Also included are comments about each species' habitat and behaviors."

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Feeder Birds of the Northeast: A Folding Pocket Guide to Common Backyard Birds

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Waterford Press

2017

"This guide profiles 40 common feeder birds found in the Northeast United States, along with feeder types and recommended foods for attracting each species. Also included are comments about each species' habitat and behaviors."

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Sibley Birds East

David Allen Sibley

Broadway Books

2nd edition

2016

"Compact and comprehensive, this guide features 650 bird species, plus regional populations, found east of the Rocky Mountains. Entries include stunningly accurate illustrations--more than 4,601 in total--with descriptive captions pointing out the most important field marks. Each entry has been updated to include the most current information concerning frequency, nesting, behavior, food and feeding, voice description, and key identification features. Here too are more than 601 updated maps drawn from information contributed by 110 regional experts across the continent, and showing winter, summer, year-round, migration, and rare ranges."

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Sibley Birds West

David Allen Sibley

Broadway Books

2nd edition

2016

"Compact and comprehensive, this guide features 715 bird species, plus regional populations, found west of the Rocky Mountains. Entries include stunningly accurate illustrations--more than 5,046 in total--with descriptive captions pointing out the most important field marks. Each entry has been updated to include the most current information concerning frequency, nesting, behavior, food and feeding, voice description, and key identification features. Here too are more than 652 updated maps drawn from information contributed by 110 regional experts across the continent, and showing winter, summer, year-round, migration, and rare ranges."

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Peterson Reference Guide to Woodpeckers of North America

Stephen A. Shunk

Peterson Refernce Guides

Houghton Mifflin

2016

"From the iconic Woody Woodpecker to the ubiquitous Northern Flicker, woodpeckers have long captivated our attention. Their astonishing anatomy makes them one of the most specialized bird families in the world, and their keystone ecological roles in our forests and woodlands makes them some of the most important birds on the continent.This comprehensive and authoritative guide to the natural history, ecology, and conservation of North America s 23 woodpecker species goes far beyond identification. It explores their unique anatomy and their fascinating and often comical behaviors; it covers each species North American conservation status; and it showcases over 250 stunning photographs of woodpeckers in their natural habitats, plus easy-to-read figures and range maps."

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Listening to a Continent Sing: Birdsong by Bicycle from the Atlantic to the Pacific

Donald E. Kroodsman

Princeton University Press

2016

"Join birdsong expert Donald Kroodsma on a ten-week, ten-state bicycle journey as he travels with his son from the Atlantic to the Pacific, lingering and listening to our continent sing as no one has before. On remote country roads, over terrain vast and spectacular, from dawn to dusk and sometimes through the night, you will gain a deep appreciation for the natural symphony of birdsong many of us take for granted. Come along and marvel at how expressive these creatures are as Kroodsma leads you west across nearly five thousand miles--at a leisurely pace that enables a deep listen. Listening to a Continent Sing is also a guided tour through the history of a young nation and the geology of an ancient landscape, and an invitation to set aside the bustle of everyday life to follow one's dreams."

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Identifying Birds of Prey: Quick Reference Guide for Eastern North America

Laura Erickson

Stackpole Books

2016

"An engaging quick-reference guide to the basics of identifying hawks, eagles, falcons, vultures, and kites in flight. Includes color photos and simplified outlines showing key features of each species, as well as range maps and comparison spreads Perfect for the beginning hawk watcher or for any outdoors-lover who wants to know more about daytime birds of prey."

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Birds of the Pacific Northwest: A Photographic Guide

Tom Aversa, Richard Cannings, Hal Opperman

University of Washington Press

2016

"Discover more than four hundred bird species in Birds of the Pacific Northwest - the quintessential regional guide for birding devotees at any level. Join renowned bird experts Tom Aversa, Richard Cannings, and Hal Opperman as they illuminate key identification traits, vocalizations, seasonal status, habitat preferences, and feeding behaviors. Full-page accounts of individual species include range maps and over nine hundred photographs by the region's top bird photographers. This region is a well-defined biogeographic unit composed of three large ecoregions: the coastal rainforest, North America's northernmost deserts, and the northern/mid-Rockies to the east. Birds of the Pacific Northwest is your birding handbook for a vast region rich in refuges, protected sanctuaries, public parks, and raw wilderness; and its depth transcends any guidebook that has preceded it."

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Birds of North America

Editor: François Vuilleumier

American Museum of Natural History

Dorling Kindersley

2nd edition

2016

"Updated to reflect all the latest taxonomic data, American Museum of Natural History Birds of North America is the complete photographic guide to the 657 species of birds found in the United States and Canada. Ideal for the armchair bird enthusiast or dedicated bird watcher, this book includes stunning full-color photographs revealing 657 individual species with unrivaled clarity. The 550 most commonly seen birds are pictured with plumage variations, and images of subspecies and information on similar birds are provided to make differentiation easy, from game birds and waterfowl to shorebirds and swifts to owls, flycatchers, finches, and more. You can even discover which species to expect when and where with up-to-date, color-coded maps highlighting habitation and migratory patterns."

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Birds Nearby: Getting to Know 45 Common Species of Eastern North America

John Eastman

Stackpole Books

2015

"This new bird guide collects Eastman's writings focusing on the birds we see around us in our yards, parks, and neighborhoods every day, and includes stunning new color photos. Explains in clear language how each bird nests, mates, feeds, and migrates Features 45 species of birds, each identified with a beautiful color photograph Includes evolutionary adaptations, name origins, nature lore, and more."

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The Scientific Nomenclature of Birds in the Upper Midwest

James Sandrock, Jean C. Prior

University Of Iowa Press

2014

"In this portable reference book, James Sandrock and Jean Prior explain the science and history behind the names of some 450 birds of the Upper Midwest states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Since many of these birds occur throughout the United States, this handbook can also be used by birders in other parts of the country. The authors examine the roots, stems, and construction of scientific names from their classical Latin and Greek or other linguistic origins. The translations of these words and insights into their sources yield quirky, tantalising facts about the people, geography, habitat, and mythology behind bird names. Each entry also includes the bird’s common name as well as local or regional names. Beginning birders confused by scientific names as well as more experienced birders curious about such names will find that the book opens unexpected connections into linguistic, historical, biological, artistic, biographical, and even aesthetic realms."

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Birds of the Rocky Mountains

Todd Telander

Falcon Pocket Guide

Falcon Press

2014

"A field guide to more than 250 of the most common and sought-after bird species in the region. Anatomically correct illustrations and detailed descriptions about each bird's prominent physical attributes and natural habitat make it easy to identify birds in your backyard, favorite parks, and wildlife areas."

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Birds of New England

Todd Telander

Falcon Pocket Guide

Falcon Press

2014

"A field guide to more than 250 of the most common and sought-after bird species in the region."

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Birds of the Pacific Northwest

Todd Telander

Falcon Pocket Guide

Falcon Press

2013

A field guide that highlights 300 of the most common and sought-after bird species in the region.

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Midwestern Birds: Backyard Guide

Bill Thompson III

Cool Springs Press

2013

"Written by Bill Thompson III, the editor and co-publisher of Bird Watcher's Digest, this portable 5"x8" book contains the same variety of entertaining and informative entries that make Bird Watcher's Digest the nation's most popular birding magazine. Inside, you'll find profiles of the 55 most common birds in the Midwest, 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 Minnesota, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Iowa, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska."

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Western Birds: Backyard Guide

Bill Thompson III

Cool Springs Press

2013

"Inside, you'll find profiles of the 55 most common birds in the West, 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 Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, and western Texas."

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Southern Birds: Backyard Guide

Bill Thompson III

Cool Springs Press

2013

"Inside, you'll find profiles of the 55 most common birds in the South, 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 North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, and eastern Texas."

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Northeastern Birds: Backyard Guide

Bill Thompson III

Cool Springs Press

2013

"Inside, you'll find profiles of the 55 most common birds in the Northeast, 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 New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine."

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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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Birds of the Northern Rocky Mountains: A Guide to Common and Notable Species

Greg R. Homel

Quick Reference Publishing

2012

"Birds of the Northern Rockies is a quick and easy-to-use, lightweight, durable, all-weather field guide to the remarkable and varied birdlife inhabiting the northern Rocky Mountains region within the US states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, in addition to the adjacent Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. Stunning digital photographs depict 125 species of common and notable birds, enabling users to identify nearly every commonly occurring bird and regional specialty they encounter - day or night - within the guide's remarkable area of coverage. Aimed at beginning and intermediate birders, the guide will easily fit into any daypack, pocket or glove compartment, facilitating spontaneous and easy field identification - whether in a backyard, on a family vacation, or on a serious birding trip to the best birding hot spots within Wyoming's Yellowstone N.P., Montana's Glacier N.P., Idaho's myriad national forests, or Canada's Jasper N.P and beyond, all within the beautiful northern Rocky Mountains region."

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Wings over the Great Plains: Bird Migrations in the Central Flyway

Paul A. Johnsgard

Zea Books

2012

"The great North-South migratory pathway across the North American Great Plains-from the tropic wintering grounds to the high arctic breeding areas-is analyzed for the first time. Describes 114 U.S. and 21 Canadian localities of special importance to migrating birds. Discusses nearly 400 species of 50 avian families. Includes 7 maps, 49 figures and over 100 literature citations."

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Wildlife of the Mid-Atlantic: A Complete Reference Manual

John H. Rappole

University of Pennsylvania Press

2012: Paperback edition

2007: Hardback 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


A Field Guide to the Southeast Coast & Gulf of Mexico: Coastal Habitats, Seabirds, Marine Mammals, Fish, & Other Wildlife

Noble S. Proctor & Patrick J. Lynch

Yale University Press

2011

"This superb book, with its unique focus on the entire marine coastal environment, is the most comprehensive and up-to-date field guide available on the southeastern Atlantic Coast and the Gulf Coast. Not just for beachgoers, the book is essential for birders, whale watchers, fishers, boaters, scuba divers and snorkelers, and shoreline visitors. Features of the guide include: entries on 619 coastal and ocean species; more than 1,100 color illustrations; 450 up-to-date range maps; and overviews of key ecological communities, including mangroves, salt marshes, beaches, sand dunes, and coral reefs; special attention to threatened and endangered species; and discussions of environmental issues, including such catastrophic events as Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon blowout."

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Rocky Mountain Birds: Birds and Birding in the Central and Northern Rockies

Paul A. Johnsgard

Zea Books

2011

"This book is in part based on the author's earlier Birds of the Rocky Moun­tains (1986, revised 2009), but over a third of the original text has been eliminated. The rest has been updated, expanded and modified to be less technical and more useful to birders in the field. Bird enthusiasts will find viewing loca­tions and updated contact information for hundreds of sites in Wy­oming, Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Alberta, and British Columbia. Part 1 outlines the habitats, ecology, and bird geography of the Rocky Mountains north of the New Mexico–Colorado border, including recent changes in the ecology and avifauna of the region. It provides detailed lists of major birding locations and guidance about where to search for specific Rocky Mountain birds. Part 2 considers all 328 regional species individually, with information on their status, habitats and ecology, suggested viewing locations, and population. Includes 3 maps and 11 drawings by the author."

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The Wildlife of New England: A Viewer's Guide

John S. Burk

University Press of New England

2011

"his guide to discovering and viewing the wildlife of New England covers the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. It provides information on more than 80 wildlife-viewing areas that represent the diversity of New England's natural landscape. Organized by state, the entries for each area detail the natural habitats and their unique features, identify characteristic species to watch for and when to see them, and list recommended trails, auto roads, and driving directions. In addition, the author offers informative introductions to 60 of the region's iconic animals organized by their natural habitats."

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Birds of North America

Editor: François Vuilleumier

American Museum of Natural History

Dorling Kindersley

2010

"Birds of North America" is the ultimate family reference on the birds of the United States and Canada, in an accessible format that is perfect for field use. Written by a team of more than 30 birders and ornithologists, each an expert on certain species or family bird groups, "Birds of North America" brings a whole new level of expertise to the birder's library, all in one category-killing volume. Information on behavior, nesting, and habitat, omitted from many field guides, is included throughout, while books on behavior don't include the wealth of identification information, in as accessible a format, as does this book."

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Birds of the Rocky Mountains

Paul A. Johnsgard

University of Nebraska– Lincoln Libraries

2009

This is a revised, electronic edition of a book that was originally published in 1986. This electronic edition contains a new "Supplement" of approximately 12,000 words, updating the species accounts and the technical literature, including all those species that have undergone changes in their vernacular or Latin names, have had important changes in ranges, or have shown statistically significant population trends or conservation status warranting mention. The update also includes six additional species.

"This comprehensive reference work ...describes in detail 354 species found in a 353,000 square mile area, from the 40th parallel in Colorado north to the 52nd parallel in Canada; from the western border of Idaho to the eastern boundaries of Montana and Wyoming."

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Birds of the Great Plains: Breeding Species and Their Distribution

Paul A. Johnsgard

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries

2009

This is a revised, electronic edition of a book that was originally published in 1980. This revised edition contains new range maps for many species, a new essay 'Three Decades of Change in Great Plains Birds,' and an updated bibliography of breeding bird surveys and state, regional, national, and species references.

"This book is the first to describe systematically all of the species of birds known to have bred or to breed at present in the Great Plains, a major ecological unit that encompasses all or part of part of eleven states: North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas."

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Birds of the Inland Northwest and Northern Rockies: Idaho, Eastern Washington & Oregon, West Montana

Harry Nehls, Mike Denny, Dave Trochlell

R.W. Morse Company

2008

"Birds of the Inland Northwest and Northern Rockies is an identification guide for the birds of the Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon, all of Idaho and Western Montana. The Species Account pages provide color photographs of over 260 local birds and have a companion page with key information about each bird."

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Waterfowl in Your Pocket: A Guide to Water Birds of the Midwest

Dana Gardner

University of Iowa Press

2008

"A welcome aid to identifying the many colorful and intriguing water birds of the midwestern states, from the Great Lakes west to the Dakotas, east to Ohio, and south to Kansas and Missouri. Illustrator Dana Gardner has created fourteen panels showing fifty-one species of ducks, geese, swans, grebes, pelicans, coots, cormorants, moorhens, and loons swimming and flying with complete plumage variations - dark phases, light phases, and juvenile and adult male and female forms in summer and winter. The text also includes length, common and scientific names, and frequency and distribution. Whether flying high overhead in the fall or swimming in a nearby lake in the summer, waterfowl are notoriously difficult to identify, and Gardner has worked hard to make this guide useful for beginning birders as well as those more experienced in the field."

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ABA Checklist: Birds of the Continental United States and Canada

American Birding Association

2008

"Complete revised seventh edition includes a total of 957 species, 33 species new to the checklist."

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Owls of the United States and Canada: A Complete Guide to their Biology and Behavior

Wayne Lynch

Johns Hopkins University Press

2007

"In this gorgeous book, celebrated natural history writer and wildlife photographer Wayne Lynch reveals the secrets of this elusive species with stunning photographs, personal anecdotes, and accessible science. The photos alone are masterpieces. Unlike most published owl photos, which are portraits of birds in captivity, the majority of these were taken in the wild - a product of the author-photographer's incredible knowledge and patience. Lynch complements the photos with a wealth of facts about anatomy, habitat, diet, and family life. For each of the nineteen species that inhabit Canada and the United States, he provides a range map and a brief discussion of its distribution, population size, and status. Lynch debunks myths about owls' "supernatural" powers of sight and hearing, discusses courtship rituals, and offers personal tips for finding them in the wild. From the great horned to the tiny elf owl, this amazing volume captures the beauty and mystery of these charismatic birds of prey."

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Fifty Uncommon Birds of the Upper Midwest

Dana Gardner and Nancy Overcott

University of Iowa Press

2007

"Although the many common birds of the Upper Midwest are lovely to hear and see, there is no doubt that the uncommon birds attract more attention. In this gorgeously illustrated companion to their "Fifty Common Birds of the Upper Midwest", which provided a new appreciation of the not-so-ordinary beauty and lifeways of familiar birds, illustrator Dana Gardner and writer Nancy Overcott celebrate the rarer birds of the Upper Midwest. Gardner and Overcott selected species that are uncommon because of dwindling populations, species that may be common elsewhere but not in the Upper Midwest, species that may be abundant one year and absent the next, and species that are usually present but are seldom seen. Beginning with the surf scoter with its multicolored bill and ending with the gregarious evening grosbeak, which resembles a giant goldfinch, they pair watercolors of each species with text that portrays its life cycle, its vocalizations and appearance, and its habitat, food, and foraging methods as well as migration patterns and distribution."

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Fifty Common Birds of the Upper Midwest

Dana Gardner and Nancy Overcott

University of Iowa Press

2006

"In this gathering of essays and illustrations celebrating fifty of the most common birds of the Upper Midwest, illustrator Dana Gardner and writer Nancy Overcott encourage us to take a closer look at these familiar birds with renewed appreciation for their not-so-ordinary beauty and lifeways. Beginning with the garishly colored male and the more gently colored female wood duck, whose tree cavity nest serves as a launching pad for ducklings in the summer months, and ending on a bright yellow note with the American goldfinch, whose cheerful presence enlivens the midwestern landscape all year long, Overcott combines field observations drawn from her twenty-plus years of living and birding in Minnesota's Big Woods with anecdotes and data from other ornithologists to portray each species' life cycle, its vocalizations and appearance, and its habitat, food, and foraging methods as well as migration patterns and distribution."

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A Guide to the Birds of the South-eastern States: Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi

John H. Rappole

University Press of Florida

2006

"No other region in America offers such a stunning abundance of birdlife (including an overwhelming number of exotic species) as the southeastern United States. "A Guide to the Birds of the Southeastern States" is the only single-source reference to this area's fascinating variety of birds, and if you want to find these feathered friends, veteran birdlife researcher John Rappole reveals the best places to look - from the tropical hammocks and cypress bays of the Everglades to the rugged peaks of the north Georgia Appalachians and the Gulf Coast beaches of Alabama and Mississippi. More than 190 sites are covered, including national parks, wildlife refuges, nature centers, and public access sites. Specific information is provided for 376 individual species, all accompanied by a species photograph and distribution map, as well as information on the bird's appearance, voice, habits, habitat, regional abundance and distribution, and its world range. Rappole rounds out the coverage by explaining issues surrounding climate, physiology, and habitat, and provides photographs of all major habitats, including more than 30 of the most intriguing natural areas in the Southeast."

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Pete Dunne's Essential Field Guide Companion

Pete Dunne

Houghton Mifflin

2006

"In this book, bursting with more information than any field guide could hold, the well-known author and birder Pete Dunne introduces readers to the "Cape May School of Birding." It's an approach to identification that gives equal or more weight to a bird's structure and shape and the observer's overall impression (often called GISS, for General Impression of Size and Shape) than to specific field marks. After determining the most likely possibilities by considering such factors as habitat and season, the birder uses characteristics such as size, shape, color, behavior, flight pattern, and vocalizations to identify a bird. The book provides an arsenal of additional hints and helpful clues to guide a birder when, even after a review of a field guide, the identification still hangs in the balance. This supplement to field guides shares the knowledge and skills that expert birders bring to identification challenges."

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The Easy Bird Guide: Western Region
A Quick Identification Guide for All Birders

John and Edith Bull

Illustrations: James Coe

Falcon Press

2006

"The Easy Bird Guide: Western Region is the perfect identification guide for beginner and casual birdwatchers of all ages. The authors, all renowned experts, have carefully chosen 340 of the most common birds seen in backyards, in the woods, and near water in western North America. Detailed illustrations of each species are organized by color, pattern, behavior, and habitat, making bird identification fun, easy, and rewarding. The guide also includes practical tips for attracting and feeding birds, information about using binoculars, a glossary of field marks, and a complete species index."

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The Easy Bird Guide: Eastern Region
A Quick Identification Guide for All Birders

John and Edith Bull and Gerald Gold

Illustrations: Pieter D. Prall

Falcon Press

2006

"The Easy Bird Guide: Eastern Region is the perfect identification guide for beginner and casual birdwatchers of all ages. The authors, all renowned experts, have carefully chosen 253 of the most common birds seen in backyards, in the woods, and near water in eastern North America. Detailed illustrations of each species are organized by color, pattern, behavior, and habitat, making bird identification fun, easy, and rewarding. The guide also includes practical tips for attracting and feeding birds, information about using binoculars, a glossary of field marks, and a complete species index."

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Tanagers, Cardinals, and Finches of the United States and Canada: The Photographic Guide

David Beadle and J.D. Rising

Princeton University Press

2006

"This is the first comprehensive photographic identification guide to tanagers, cardinals, and finches. Many of North America's finest bird and wildlife photographers have supplied a stunning collection of images, some of which depict plumages rarely available in other publications. The 200 photographs have been carefully selected to illustrate age, seasonal, and sexual variation in all of the species found north of Mexico, including introduced species and vagrants. The text is designed to introduce the reader to the biology, identification, molts, vocalization, and distribution of the forty-six species covered. Each photograph is accompanied by a caption outlining relevant identification features, and original range maps illustrate the distributions of all the species that regularly occur north of Mexico."

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Birds of the Great Plains: Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas

Bob Jennings, Ted Cable and Roger Burrows

Lone Pine Publishing

2005

"Encounter 325 of the most common or notable birds found in the Great Plains states, presented with beautiful full-color illustrations and comprehensive notes on habitat, nesting, feeding and voice, as well as best sites for viewing. 312 color illustrations, 313 maps."

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Birds of New England

Wayne Petersen and Roger Burrows

Lone Pine Publishing

2004

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Dictionary of Birds of the United States

Joel Ellis Holloway

Timber Press

2003

"This is the most complete and up-to-date dictionary of names of American birds available. With more than 900 entries, all the resident birds of the 50 states are included, as well as escaped, exotic, and rare visitors. Including the etymologies and meanings of scientific and common names, it will be an indispensable reference for both scholars and amateur birders. The dictionary is the only work of this type that brings the derivation of scientific bird names back to the original Greek. Other names are traced, for example, to Old English, French, Portuguese, or native languages. Names sometimes reflect the birds' behavior, physical appearance, habitat, or the sound of their calls. Some names refer back to ancient myths and local folklore or were bestowed to honor a great naturalist, a world traveler, or a patron of the sciences. The author also discusses errors that arose in the naming of some birds. Crisply written and extensively cross-referenced for ease of access, the book is graced by more than 25 striking pen-and-ink drawings by renowned ornithologist and bird artist George Miksch Sutton."

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The American Bird Conservancy Guide to the 500 Most Important Bird Areas in the United States

American Bird Conservancy

Random House

2003

"The American Bird Conservancy Guide to the 500 Most Important Bird Areas in the United States offers both bird enthusiasts and conservationists specialized information never before compiled in a single comprehensive volume. This expert resource organizes the United States into 36 ornithologically distinct bird regions, then identifies and describes the 500 sites within these regions. Each site entry includes ornithological highlights, ownership information, a description of habitats and land use, a guide to which species one can expect to find, conservation issues, and visitor information. Full-color maps and illustrations throughout, along with a thorough index, make this book as useful as it is unique, an essential addition to the bird lover’s library."

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Birds in Place: A Habitat-based Field Guide to Birds of the Northern Rockies

Radd Icenoggle

Farcountry Press

2003

"This habitat-based guide is written for both novice and long-time birders to use in the Northern Rockies. Color photographs illustrate the species and graphics supply information on seasonality, migration, behavior, and ranges. Text includes physical description, breeding behaviors, habits, and especially what habitat features to look for when seeking a particular species."

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Wildlife of Virginia and Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Charles Fergus

Stackpole Books

2003

"Details the animals found in the remarkably diverse habitats throughout Virginia and Maryland: their life in the wild, what they look like, what and how they eat, and how they raise their young. Intended for a general audience with any level of knowledge, the material presented serves as an informative companion to a wide range of field guides. The introduction provides general information about the various types of landscape in these Mid-Atlantic states, and how they support wildlife populations."

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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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Raptors of the Rockies

Kate Davis

Mountain Press

2002

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Sparrows of the United States and Canada: The Photographic Guide

Editor: James D. Rising

Illustrations: David Beadle

Poyser / AP Natural World

2001

"This companion volume to the previous "Guide to the Identification and Natural History of the Sparrows of the United States and Canada" takes sparrow identification one step further. The authors have gathered a selection of over 350 photographs as a basis for the identification of all 64 taxa of emberizine sparrows found in the region. The supporting text gives detailed information on the identification of species, sexes, ages, races, and forms of all the sparrows, towhees, juncos, buntings and longspurs, grassquits and seedeaters, as well as information on their distribution, habits, habitats, molt, and voice. Particular attention is paid to the geographic variation found in many species and to comparisons with similar and confusing species. The conservation status of those that are threatened is also given due attention. The photographs have been chosen specifically to illustrate the identification pointers described in the text."

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Birds of the Southwest: Arizona, New Mexico, Southern California and Southern Nevada

John H. Rappole

Texas A & M University Press

2001

"This handbook provides information on identification, habit preferences, voice, seasonal occurrence, and abundance of over 450 species of birds found in the American Southwest. Each species description is accompanied by a distribution map and a photograph to aid identification."

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Birds of the Gulf Coast

Photographs: Brian K. Miller

Text: William R. Fontenot

Louisiana State University Press

2001

"The moist, sultry northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico hosts a remarkably diverse bird community of more then three hundred species. Waders and seabirds, waterfowl, hummingbirds, warblers, grosbeaks, tanagers, larks, blackbirds, sparrows, and finches all thrive in the various ecosystems of the Gulf Coast and swirl in and out with the seasons. Featuring 170 color photographs by nature photographer Brian K. Miller and essays by natural history expert William R. Fontenot, Birds of the Gulf Coast depicts the mystery and majesty of these beautiful creatures and highlights the importance of the region to the bird's conservation. Fontenot introduces the conditions peculiar to each season on the temperate Gulf Coast, and Miller's images are arranged by the calendar. The waterfowl, raptors, and seabirds of winter; the songbirds and shorebirds of spring and fall; and the wading birds of summer - their numbers peak and wane on schedule, and the chapters vividly reflect the dramatic variation in the bird population throughout the year. Miller captures sights that thrill human eyes - the stately gaze of a bald Eagle; the splendor of an Osprey in full flight; the quiet concentration of a Sora studying his reflection in the marsh. His vibrant portraits illustrate the brilliant hues of nature: the dazzling pinks and reds of the Roseate Spoonbill, the rainbow plumage of the Painted Bunting, the bright splash of the Yellow-throated Warbler."

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New England Birds: An Introduction to Familiar Species

Waterford Press

2001

"New England Birds is a portable reference guide featuring over 100 species of birds found in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. This richly illustrated and detailed guide is printed on durable material and folds for convenience."

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The Cast Iron Forest: A Natural and Cultural History of the North American Cross Timbers

Richard V. Francaviglia

Corrie Herring Hooks Series

University of Texas Press

2000

"A complex mosaic of post oak and blackjack oak forests interspersed with prairies, the Cross Timbers cover large portions of south-eastern Kansas, eastern Oklahoma, and north central Texas. Home to Native Americans over several thousand years, the Cross Timbers were considered a barrier to westward expansion in the nineteenth century, until roads and railroads opened up the region to farmers, ranchers, coal miners, and modern city developers, all of whom changed its character in far-reaching ways. This landmark book describes the natural environment of the Cross Timbers and interprets the role that people have played in transforming the region. Richard Francaviglia opens with a natural history that discusses the region's geography, geology, vegetation, and climate. He then traces the interaction of people and the landscape, from the earliest Native American inhabitants and European explorers to the developers and residents of today's ever-expanding cities and suburbs."

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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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Field Guide to the Southwestern States: Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah

Peter Alden, Peter Friederici

National Audubon Society

Taylor Trade Publishing

1999

"Filled with concise descriptions and stunning photographs, the National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Southwestern States belongs in the home of every resident of the Southwest 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 southwestern 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, mountains, forests, and wildlife sanctuaries, with detailed descriptions and visitor information for 50 sites and notes on dozens of others."

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Finding Birds on US Bureau of Reclamation Lands

Alan Versaw

American Birding Association

1999?

46 page guide that describes 21 sites in 17 states.

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Field Guide to the Rocky Mountain States: Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado

Peter Alden and John Grassy

National Audubon Society

Knopf

1998

"Filled with concise descriptions and stunning photographs, the National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Rocky Mountain States belongs in the home of every Rocky Mountain 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 Rocky Mountain 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, mountains, forests, and wildlife sanctuaries, with detailed descriptions and visitor information for 50 sites and notes on dozens of others."

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Northwest Birds in Winter

Alan Contreras

Oregon State University Press

1997

"This is the first guide to birds that winter in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and southern British Columbia. It offers a summary of winter status and distribution information for the nearly 380 regularly occurring species in the region. In addition, the books includes tips on the best winter birding sites in the Pacific Northwest and photographs of unusual winter birds."

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Watchable Birds of the Rocky Mountains

Mary Taylor Gray

Mountain Press

1997

"If you have been charmed or intrigued by birds, would like to know more about them, but don't consider yourself a 'birdwatcher,' then this book is for you. Designed for families, tourists, casual nature lovers, and anyone who enjoys birds and wildlife, 'Watchable Birds of the Rocky Mountains' goes beyond identification to reveal the 'private lives' of our feathered friends. This fun yet informative guide covers the Rocky Mountain region of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia, and Alberta. Contents: How to Use this Book; How to Watch Birds; Wildlife Watching; Ethics and Etiquette; Birds of the Plains; Birds of the Wetlands;and Birds of the Mountains."

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Birds of the Rocky Mountains

Chris C. Fisher

Lone Pine Publishing

1997

"323 common and interesting species of birds found in the Rocky Mountains region are brought to life by colorful illustrations and detailed descriptive text. Species accounts include characteristics for quick identification."

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The Smithsonian Guides to Natural America: The Great Lakes: Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin

Michele Strutin

Random House

1997

"Describes the natural wonders of the Great Lakes region, from national parks to wilderness preserves and private sanctuaries."

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Birds of the Pacific Northwest Coast

Nancy Baron and John Acorn

Lone Pine Publishing

1997

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A Guide to the Identification and Natural History of the Sparrows of the United States and Canada

Editor: James D. Rising

Illustrations: David Beadle

Princeton University Press

1996

"Comprehensive and up-to-date information on all the features that make possible identification of all 62 species of sparrows that occur in North America. The text gives detailed descriptions of the summer, winter, and juvenile plumages of each species, as well as comparisons with similar species. The species accounts are illustrated with range maps and superb line drawings showing behavioral postures and, where useful, fine features of tail feather patterns. The 27 color plates splendidly illustrate the various plumages of each species with the emphasis on the distinctive appearance of birds of different sex, age, and geographic regions."

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The Smithsonian Guides to Natural America: The Northern Plains: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota

Lansing Shepard

Random House

1996

"From Minnesota's boundary waters to the badlands of the Dakotas, here is detailed travel information and beautiful color photography of some of the natural treasures of America's national parks and smaller reserves. From plant and animal life to sites of geological significance, this guide offers a breathtaking, up-close look at this region's natural wonders."

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The Smithsonian Guides to Natural America: The Northern Rockies

Thomas Schmidt, Jeremy Schmidt

Random House

1995

"Covers the national parks, wilderness preserves, and public and private sanctuaries of the Northern Rockies, providing full-color maps, clear directions, addresses and phone numbers, and traveling advice."

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Birdfinder: A Birder's Guide to Planning North American Trips

Jerry A. Cooper

ABA Birdfinding Guide

American Birding Association

1995

"This book is based on the premise that birders can successfully plan to find a vast number of species of birds in North America, as long as they are armed with information about where to go, when to go, and what to expect. Birdfinder outlines nineteen key trips designed to produce a list of over 650 species in North America. Jerry Cooper makes this possible both economically and efficiently. Cooper summarizes the Key, Possible, Probable, and Remotely Possible birds to be seen on each of the nineteen trips, with details on transportation, accommodations, special equipment, and the birdfinding guides you will need. The specialties and key species for each of these trips are outlined in detail. This is a planning guide, illustrating a strategy for successful North American birdfinding."

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Watchable Birds of the Southwest

Mary Taylor Gray

Mountain Press

1995

"A full color guide to 68 of the South-West most fun-to-watch species of birds. Organised by habitat: Wetlands, open country, mountains and mesas. Covers Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Utah, Colorado, California and Texas."

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Birdfinding in Forty National Forests and Grasslands

Roland H Wauer, William J Boyle Jr

American Birding Association

1994?

186 page bookwith some maps and illustrations. "This guide was produced in cooperation between the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the American Birding Association."

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The Visitor's Guide to the Birds of the Rocky Mountain National Park

Ronald H. Wauer

John Muir Publications

1994

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Shorebirds of the Pacific Northwest

Dennis Paulson

Drawings: Jim Erckmann

University of Washington Press

1993

"Embracing an area from the northern tip of Vancouver Island in British Columbia through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and western Montana, Shorebirds of the Pacific Northwest includes the latest information about 62 documented and 16 potential species. Finely detailed drawings and color photographs emphasize diagnostic features."

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Birds in Jeopardy: Imperiled and Extinct Birds of the United States and Canada

Paul R. Ehrlich, David S. Dobkin, and Darryl Wheye

Stanford University Press

1992

"As the human population skyrockets and the toxic impact of human society spreads, the natural habitats of birds degrade and diminish and the bird populations decline. Two hundred years ago, when the United States and Canada were home to less than 5 million people, they were also home to some 650 species of birds. Today, more than 280 million people live there, and 33 bird species have already been driven to extinction and well over 150 are in danger of extinction in all or parts of their range. This book, organized and written by the authors of The Birder's Handbook, and enriched by 191 strikingly beautiful color paintings illustrating all of the birds treated, is the first concise, authoritative review of the status of the birds currently imperiled in the United States and Canada - those that are federally listed as Endangered or Threatened and those that are listed by the National Audubon Society as suffering local or regional or widespread decline. It also treats the birds that have been driven to extinction in the past two centuries, since the stories of their somber fates can help us learn how to save the other birds that are in jeopardy."

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Birds of the Central Rockies

Jan Wassink

Mountain Press

1991

"Bird-watchers from the novice to the experienced will appreciate this easy-to-use field guide to the birds of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho. Author and photographer Jan Wassink provides 240 stunning color photographs of 191 bird species, each in its natural surroundings."

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Wild Birds of America: The Art of Basil Ede

Robert McCracken Peck

Harry N. Abrams

1991

125 pages with 103 colour plates.

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Atlas of Wintering North American Birds: An Analysis of Christmas Bird Count Data

Terry Root

University Of Chicago Press

1989

"The Atlas of Wintering North American Birds represents the efforts of thousands of people who have participated in the Christmas Bird Counts, an annual event sponsored since 1900 by the National Audubon Society. Unlike a conventional field guide, the Atlas doesn't show what birds look like, but rather tells where to find them in the winter months. Terry Root has used the data from the 1963-72 counts to provide the first large-scale biogeographical account of birds wintering in North America. Using sophisticated computer techniques, Root has translated the data into both traditional contour maps and innovative new maps that stimulate three dimensions. The maps show at a glance that, for example, the Baltimore Oriole winters primarily along the eastern seaboard, with the densest populations in Florida between Tallahassee and Gainesville and in North Carolina from Rocky Mount to the Croatan National Forest."

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The Compact Guide to Birds of the Rockies

Geoffrey Holroyd and Howard Coneybeare

Lone Pine Publishing

1989

"This habitat-based guide includes unusual and useful notes for more than 100 birds. Its convenient size and full-page color illustrations make this guide a must for your backpack."

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Birds of the Rocky Mountains

Paul A. Johnsgard

University of Colorado Press

1986

"This comprehensive reference work ...describes in detail 354 species found in a 353,000 square mile area, from the 40th parallel in Colorado north to the 52nd parallel in Canada; from the western border of Idaho to the eastern boundaries of Montana and Wyoming...Here a visitor to any of the major national parks in the Rocky Mountain region can have quick access to the abundance and seasonality of a given species. In addition, a comprehensive introduction describes the predominant life zones of the region, and over a dozen maps illustrate such significant features as precipitation patterns, vegetation community types, and major physiographic provinces.The book is well written and an essential guide for the birder who visits the Rockies."

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Birds of the Northern Rockies

Tom J. Ulrich

Mountain Press

1984

"For the hiker, traveler, or kitchen-window bird-watcher. This book covers the northern Rockies from Alberta to Wyoming. More than 220 color photographs illustrate descriptions of 170 bird species. Includes tips for observing and photographing birds."

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Marine Birds Of The Southeastern United States And Gulf Of Mexico

Roger B. Clapp, Richard C. Banks, Deborah Morgan-Jacobs, and Wayne A. Hoffman

Bureau Of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service

U.S. Department Of The Interior

1982

Published in three parts.

Part I: Gaviiformes through Pelecaniformes (March 1982)

From the preface: "Part I of the Marine Birds of the Coastal Southeastern United States is published by the National Coastal Ecosystems Team to provide a synthesis and analysis of information about marine birds in this area. Accounts for 39 species include information on distribution, abundance, food habits, breeding ecology, and susceptibility to oil pollution. Selected bibliographies follow each species account and list additional sources of information."

Part II: Anseriformes (July 1982)

From the preface: "Part II of the volumes Marine Birds of the Southeastern United States and Gulf of Mexico , published by the National Coastal Ecosystems Team, provides a synthesis and analysis of information about marine birds in this area. Accounts for 41 species include information on distribution, abundance, and susceptibility to oil pollution. More detailed information on distribution in the southeast and a summary of food habits and habitats utilized are presented for 17 species. Information on breeding ecology is summarized for 12 species that we think are most likely to be affected by oil pollution. Selected bibliographies follow each species account and Include additional sources of information."

Part III: Charadriiformes (September 1983)

From the preface: "Part III of the volumes Marine Birds of_ the Southeastern United States and Gulf of Mexico, published by the National Coastal Ecosystems Team, provides a synthesis and analysis of information about the marine birds in this area. Accounts for 22 species include information on distribution, abundance, and susceptibility to oil pollution. Also included is information on the breeding biology of 16 species abundant in the southeast as breeding birds, winter residents, or migrants. Selected bibliographies follow each species account and include additional sources of information."

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A Gathering of Shore Birds

Henry Marion Hall

Illustrations: John Henry Dick

Bramhall House

1960

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American Water Birds Also Hawks, Owls And Game Birds

Maitland A. Edey

Illustration: Louis Agassiz Fuertes

Random House

1941

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Birds Of American

Editor: T. Gilbert Pearson

Illustrations: Louis Agassiz Fuertes, R.I. Brasher, R. Bruce Horsfall, Henry Thurston, and possibly others

Garden City Books

1936

This is possibly the first single volume edition of a work that was first published as a multi-volume set in either 1917 or 1923.

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American Land Birds

Alice E. Ball

Colour plates: Robert Bruce Horsfall

Tudor Publishing

1936

This is a new edition of Bird Biographies which was published in 1923.

290 pages with 47 colour plates.

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Bird Biographies

A Guide For Beginners: An Introduction To 150 Common Land Birds of The Eastern United States

Alice E. Ball

Colour plates: Robert Bruce Horsfall

Dodd, Mead & Company

1923

From the foreword:

"John Burroughs, in his delightful essay called 'Birds and Poets' says: 'The very idea of a bird is a symbol and a suggestion to the poet. A bird seems to be at the top of the scale, so vehement and intense is his life - large brained, large lunged, hot, ecstatic, his frame charged with buoyancy and his heart with song. The beautiful vagabonds, endowed with every grace, mastery of all climes, and knowing no bounds, - how many human aspirations are realized in their free, holiday-lives - and how many suggestions to the poet in their flight and song.' Long before the place of birds in the great scheme of nature was understood, they made their appeal: first, to primitive man, who had curious superstitions and created beautiful myths concerning them; next, to poets and dreamers of ancient civilizations, who used them in allusions beautiful with Oriental imagery; to artists, who delighted in portraying symbolism; to later poets and lovers of beauty, who perceived deep truths and revelations of God; and to scientists, who saw back of the phenomena of nature the marvelous laws of God. It is interesting to follow the effect birds have had upon the development of man. Though the religion of the early Egyptians was largely worship of the sun and moon, yet reverence for birds entered into their faith and their ritual. The swallow, the heron, the hawk, the vulture, the goose, and the ibis were all held sacred. The people of Egypt with their belief in transmigration, imagined the swallow and the heron as possible abiding-places for their souls after death."
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Birds Of American

Editor In Chief: T. Gilbert Pearson

Illustrations: R.I. Brasher, R. Bruce Horsfall, Henry Thurston

The University Society Inc

1923

Published in 3 volumes.

Opening lines of preface:

The actual and urgent need for this book is apparent to the large and steadily increasing number of persons who are intelligently interested in American ornithology. This need is due to the fact that in all the literature of that subject there is no single work which presents a complete review of what is known to-day about American birds. The task of preparing a comprehensive account of the bird life of a continent is far too great to be accomplished in a natural lifetime by any individual working alone; and until recently there has been no systematic cooperation between students of our native birds. It is inevitable, therefore, that continued study of the subject, aided by such cooperation, should have revealed many errors of commission and omission in the labors of Wilson, Audubon, Bonaparte, and the other earlier students of this difficult and complex science. Nevertheless, it is clear that the work of these men laid the foundation of American ornithology; for their labors not only furnished much material of scientific value, but encouraged interest in and sympathy for birds, and thereby inspired further study of these beautiful and useful forms of animate life."
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Birds Worth Knowing

Neltje Blanchan

16 color illustrations: Louis Agassiz Fuertes and others

Doubleday, Page & Company for Nelson Doubleday

1922

From the preface:

As several hundred thousand readers have been kind enough to approve the author's four previous volumes on birds, it has been suggested that a single volume might be helpful, dealing with the birds most worth knowing and chosen by the author from these writings with the view of interesting an ever-widening circle of new friends in the most appealing form of wild hfe there is still left about us. An immense wave of interest in birds recently swept over the country where less than a generation ago was complete indifference to their extermination. Why this change of the people's thought? Largely as the logical result of persistent and highly intelligent educative work by the Audubon Societies, directed by scientific and altruistic men and women, in reaching school children, clubs of many kinds, granges, editors, and legislators. Vast quantities of well-written pamphlets and beautiful colored pictures, such as are used to illustrate this book, are distributed annually; bird clubs are actively at work aU over the country; Junior Audubon classes graduate fresh recruits; wardens are safe- guarding the breeding grounds of the egret, gull, tern, eider, and other birds dangerously near the vanishing point; bird sanctuaries have been established in countless parks, cemeteries, private estates, and public domains; the making of bird houses, fountains, and restaurants has suddenly become a well-advertised business as well as a pastime for every boy and girl who can handle a hammer; people are planting trees, shrubs, and vines especially to attract birds and they systematically feed them all winter; Audubon field agents are lecturing, disseminating literature, button- holing legislators, and looking out for the birds' interests generally in State and National Capitols, interests now backed up by intelligent public opinion so strong as to make the ultimate passage of protective laws in every state of the Union a foregone conclusion.
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The Book Of Birds: Common Birds Of Town And Country And American Game Birds

Henry W. Henshaw

Colour plates: Louis Agassiz Fuertes

Foreword: Gilbert Grosvenor

National Geographic Society

1921

A collection of articles from National Geographic that had earlier been collected in two separate books.

From the foreword:

"In this volume are presented the principal articles and the most beautiful color illustrations of man's feathered friends which have been published in the National Geographic Magazine during the last six years. The text and pictures comprise one of the most valuable and fascinatingly interesting contributions to popular science the National Geographic Society has devised, and the most comprehensive and charming handbook of avian lore that has ever been offered at a moderate price. The 250 illustrations in color of the Common Birds of Town and Country, of our Warblers and American Game Birds, are reproductions of the matchless pictures from the brush of the distinguished artist-naturalist, Louis Agassiz Fuertes, while the descriptive text by Henry W. Henshaw, formerly Chief of the U. S. Biological Survey, sets forth concisely, entertainingly, yet with scientific accuracy, the distinguishing characteristics of each species of bird, its peculiar habits, and its favorite habitat. Dr. Henshaw has pointed out the need for the preservation of bird life, and how the farmer without his feathered insect-destroyers would face constant disaster to his crops. Few wonders of the natural world are as compelling in interest as is the display of that mysterious impulse which is followed season after season by the birds which migrate from their winter homes to their nesting places in the spring, and then make the return journey in the fall, guided no one knows how - an absorbing study for both layman and scientist. The article by the late Wells W. Cooke, "Our Greatest Travelers: Birds that Fly from Pole to Pole, etc.," gives a most comprehensive and engaging digest of these mysterious migrations, and the text is elucidated by a series of illuminating maps and charts. Frederick H. Kennards article, "Encouraging Birds Around the Home," accompanied by numerous illustrations in black and white, tells with the hird-lover's enthusiasm how every reader, be he proprietor of a great estate or the owner of a window-sill, can make the acquaintance and win the confidence of birds, adding them to his circle of appreciative friends and charming visitors."
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Birds Of Field, Forest And Park

Albert Field Gilmore

Foreword: T. Gilbert Pearson

Illustrations: R. Bruce Horsfall, Louis Agassiz Fuertes and others

The Page Company

1919

Preface:

The success of the little book "Birds Through the Year" in stimulating among its readers a desire to make the acquaintance in the open of the birds described therein, has prompted the author to prepare this somewhat more pretentious volume. This is in no sense a treatise on the science of ornithology, but the effort is made to reproduce the atmosphere of the natural home of the bird in field, forest and park, by describing the conditions under which each variety is found, and their usual surroundings, as well as their habits, plumage, songs, etc. About one hundred and fifty varieties are thus described, including those most common in eastern North America. While the classification recognized by the American Ornithological Union has been followed, the Latin names have been avoided, as well as those purely technical terms that are unfamiliar to the layman. The author's observations of bird life, covering a period of more than thirty years, have been made for the most part in his home state, Maine, in the region about New York City, New Jersey, the Catskill Mountains, and in the Southern States.
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Our Winter Birds: How To Know And How To Attract Them

Frank M. Chapman

Illustrations: Edmund J. Sawyer

1918

From the introduction:

When we go to the fields and woods in winter, birds are the only living creatures we are sure of seeing. Tree Sparrows chatter happily over their breakfast of seeds; a Nuthatch stops his search for insects' eggs long enough to look down and greet us with his queer yank-yank. A Downy Woodpecker, intent on the capture of a grub, hammers industriously, tap-tap-tap. He is too busy to stop, but calls his clear peek to us as we pause to watch him. What a sense of companionship we have with these feathered friends of ours! They make us feel at home with Nature. How lonely we should be without them! We are indebted to these winter birds for more than their friendship; for more than giving life to the otherwise silent fields and woods. They are our active allies in the warfare to save our crops and forests from the army of insects that ceaselessly at- tack them. The Tree Sparrows breakfasting on seeds, the Nuthatch hunting insects eggs, the Woodpeckers digging out grubs, were all working for us. The Chickadees that accept our invitation to luncheon repay us a countless number of times for the suet and nuts we offer them.
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A Year With The Birds

Alice E. Ball

Colour plates: R. Bruce Horsfall

Gibbs & Van Vleck

1917

From the preface:

"Long experience has developed the plan of this book, which presents first the most common permanent residents and winter visitors, and then introduces in proper order each newcomer of early spring, before the woods and fields become so filled with songsters as to render identification almost hopeless to a beginner. The descriptions are intended to emphasize distinguishing points in each bird's appearance and song, or to show his most pronounced traits ; the illustrations, not only to give a true picture of the bird himself, but of the environment where he is most frequently found. As rhyme and rhythm are delightful to children, it is hoped that the verses will aid in fixing many truths in their minds and that the book may fill a great need in schools. It aims at accuracy of statement but not to be a technical hand-book, as there are so many excellent ones on the market. It is hoped that it may make friends, not only among young people, but among children of a larger growth."
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Bird Friends: A Complete Bird Book For Americans

Gilbert H. Trafton

Color and B/W plates: Louis Agassiz Fuertes and Bruce Horsfall

B/W photographs

Houghton Mifflin Company

1916

From the preface:

These pages are written, not only for the bird- lover, but also for the general reader who has no special interest in birds, but who is interested in those matters that pertain to community welfare. Most of the topics presented in this book have been treated in an entertaining way in many excellent bird books, but most of these books cover only one or two phases of bird life, so that a person de- siring to be generally informed on birds must secure several books. The bird enthusiast is glad to do this, but not the average citizen, who has no more inter- est in birds than in many other topics. It is highly desirable that every citizen should be informed on the need of conserving bird life as one of our valuable national resources. It has been the purpose of the author to gather within one set of covers a brief discussion of the essential facts concerning bird life that are of general interest, which are now scattered through many books, bulletins, and magazines. One of the most interesting developments of the past few years has been the rapid strides made in the cause of bird-protection. Much of this work has been of such recent origin that information regarding these various protective agencies and their work can be found only in recent periodicals. An effort has been made in these pages to bring together some of the more valuable of this material.
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A Field Ornithology Of The Birds Of Eastern North America

C.J. Maynard

1916

From the preface:

"Among the many books written on birds it will be difficult to find one which deals wholly with these beautiful and interesting creatures as they are seen in the field. Professional ornithologists must, of course, study external and internal characters of birds from the specimens themselves in the hand, but today there is another class of ornithologists, who by far outnumber the professional, and who want to know living birds as they appear among the foliage of woodlands and shrubbery, on the shore, or upon the waters of lake, pond, and river, or upon the wide ocean. This class want a book that shall teach them how they can identify these birds as they perch, or fly, or swim. It is evident that such a book, in order to fulfill its mission, should be written by one who has had a wide experience with living birds."
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Our Shorebirds And Their Future

Wells W. Cooke

3 b/w plates: Louis Agassiz Fuertes

Government Printing Office, Washington

Originally published as part of the 1914 Yearbook Of The Dept Of Agricuture

1915

From the introduction:

"Shorebirds were found by the early settlers of this country in vast numbers on the coasts, the inland lakes, and even on the prairies, and while comparatively few now remain it was not until the early seventies that there was a marked lessening of their numbers. Since then shore birds have been so persecuted that vigorous measures must be taken, and immediately, to save them.
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American Game Birds

Henry W. Henshaw

Colour plates: Louis Agassiz Fuertes

National Geographic Society

1915

This book contains the following reprints from the National Geographic Magazine:

  • American Game Birds, by Henry W. Henshaw, with drawings by Louis Agassiz Fuertes
  • Nature's Transformation At Panama, George Shiras
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Common Birds Of Town And Country

Henry W. Henshaw

Colour plates: Louis Agassiz Fuertes

National Geographic Society

1914

This book contains the following reprints from the National Geographic Magazine:

  • Birds of Town and Country, by Henry W. Henshaw, with drawings by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, May, 1914
  • Fifty Common Birds of Farm and Orchard, by Henry W. Henshaw, with drawings by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, June, 1913
  • Encouraging Birds Around the Home, by Frederic H. Kennard, March, 1914
  • Our Greatest Travelers: Birds that Fly from Pole to Pole; Birds that Make 2,500 Miles in a Single Flight, by Wells W. Cooke, April, 1911
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Bird Stories From Burroughs: Sketches Of Bird Life Taken From The Works Of John Burroughs

John Burroughs

4 colour & 3 b/w plates: Louis Agassiz Fuertes

Houghton Mifflin Company

1911

From the preface:

John Burroughs's first book, "Wake- Robin," contained a chapter entitled "The Invitation." It was an invitation to the study of birds. He has reiterated it, implicitly if not explicitly, in most of the books he has published since then, and many of his readers have joyfully accepted it. Indeed, such an invitation from Mr. Burroughs is the best possible introduction to the birds of our Northeastern States, and it is likewise an introduction to some very good reading. To convey this invitation to a wider circle of young readers the most interest- ing bird stories in Mr. Burroughs's books have been gathered into a single volume. A chapter is given to each species of bird, and the chapters are arranged in a sort of chronological order, according to the time of the bird's arrival in the spring, the nesting time, or the season when for some other reason the species is particularly conspicuous.
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Directory To The Birds Of Eastern North America

C.J. Maynard

1907

From the introduction:

"This manual is intended to aid students in identifying birds in the field; hence external characters are chiefly used and, as far as possible, those only which are conspicuous enough to be seen by the aid of a bird glass at a reasonable distance; while the author has endeavored to avoid using any characters not absolutely necessary for identification. Characteristic habits and the manner of flight are mentioned; the song, and other notes and cries are also given."
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The Warblers Of New England

C.J. Maynard

1905

Published in 6 parts between 1901 and 1904

From the prospectus:

"This work contains descriptions of ail of the species of American Warblers which are found in New England. The book is illustrated with twelve hand-colored plates on which are figured a male and female of each species. THIE TEXT. The Family characters are first given, both external and internal, followed by a comparison with allied families. Generic characters are then defined in a clear, concise manner, and descriptions of species follow. The size is first given, then the characteristic markings, the time of migration and breeding range. This portion of the text is in large type. Following this, in smaller type, is a detailed description of the adult male and female, then of the young, and when known, of the nestling. Dimensions are next given; then comparisons with allied species, a feature particularly valuable to those who are comparatively unfamiliar with birds. Careful descriptions of the nests and eggs are given. The text on habits is in large type. This is a general account of the species, a more detailed account of the song, migration, and breeding range follows. ILLUSTRATIONS. One of the advantages of this book are the illustrations; many of the characters mentioned are explained by wood cuts, engraved by the author. PLATES. There are twelve plates, on each of which are given life-sized heads of both sexes of all of our warblers. These plates are engraved and hand-colored by the author."
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Distribution And Migration Of North American Warblers

Wells W. Cooke

Division Of Biological Survey Bulletin No. 18

US Department of Agriculture

Government Printing Office

1904

From the introduction:

The warblers are birds of wide distribution. They occur in summer in greater or less abundance over nearly the whole of North America except the arid lands of the Southwest and the Barren Grounds of the far North. Though of small size they are brightly colored, and during the migrations they come in such numbers, both of species and individuals, that they often form the most conspicuous part of a bird wave, and their return is awaited with eagerness by students of migration. In spring the lover of the beautiful finds among them brilliant colors in multiple variety; the practiced ear is taxed to distinguish their faint songs dropping from the tree tops; and the experienced ornithologist feels a pleasurable excitement in scanning each individual of the passing host as he seeks the rarity that will more than repay the time spent in the search.
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A Guide To The Birds Of New England And Eastern New York

Containing A Key For Each Season And Short Descriptions Of Over Two Hundred And Fifty Species, With Particular Reference To Their Appearance In The Field

Ralph Hoffman

Four full page plates by Louis Agassiz Fuertes and nearly one hundred cuts in the text

Houghton Mifflin & Co

1904

From the introduction:

There is something infectious in the enthusiasm of a student of birds. To hear him talk about the excitement of seeing a new bird, to read his account of it, or, best of all, to go afield with him on a May morning, is often enough to awaken a new interest, which enriches life to a surprising degree. The study of birds presents plenty of difficulties, which add fuel to the flame of real enthusiasm; there are sloughs of despond beyond which the faint-hearted never get. A guide who knows the way, its pitfalls and short cuts, is always welcome, and almost necessary in these days when our only weapon is the opera-glass. In spite of the fact that many excellent books are now available, the author offers another, both in the belief that there can never be too many good guides, and in the hope that this book has been especially adapted to the growing class of beginners in bird study. The book is the result of experience with many field-classes. Every effort has been made to emphasize the aspect of birds as seen out of doors, to describe their general or most prominent colors rather than any mark difficult to see on the living bird, and to call attention to their characteristic habits and haunts, and thus to enable the conscientious student to answer, with as much certainty as possible, the question, "What is the bird that I have seen?" The keys and the illustrations have been prepared with this end in view. There has been no attempt to give a complete description of the plumage, as it would look if the bird were held in the hand, nor does the book contain anything like full biographies of each species. Minute descriptions of the plumage and full accounts of the lives of the birds are to be found in many excellent books, some one of which may well be used to supplement this Guide. Notes and songs have been carefully described, and as far as possible expressed in English syllables. The author is well aware that another listener might express the same sounds by very different syllables; he has not attempted to convey to any one unfamiliar with the song anything more than an idea of its length and accent, and perhaps a suggestion of the quality of its tone. It is hoped, however, that the songs as transcribed will be useful in identifying doubtful species, that any one comparing the transcripts in the book with his own field-notes, or, better still, with the songs themselves, will recognize their likeness to that of one species and their unlikeness to that of another.
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Handbook Of Birds Of The Western United States

Including The Great Plains, Great Basin, Pacific Slope, And Lower Rio Grande Valley

Florence Merriam Bailey

Thirty Three full page plates by Louis Agassiz Fuertes and over six hundred cuts in the text

Houghton Mifflin & Co

1902

Preface:

The preparation of this book has been facilitated by the good offices of many ornithologists. To Mr. Robert Ridgway and Dr. C. Hart Merriam I am indebted for use of the National Museum and Biological Survey collections, and to Mr. Ridgway for generous help in the study of the museum skins. I am also indebted to Mr. Ridgway for use of the proof of his forthcoming Part II. of Birds of North and Middle America, and to Dr. Merriam for use of the Biological Survey records. Dr. X. K. Fisher has given me kindly advice at all points and important help by a critical reading of the entire manuscript, with especial examination of distributions. From my husband, Mr. Vernon Bailey, I have had untiring advice and assistance, in addition to the preparation of the water bird descriptions and keys, and a large number of biographies of both water and land birds. Mr. E. W. Nelson has generously corrected and extended the ranges of the birds in Mexico, and Mr. H. C. Oberholser has rendered much valuable critical aid, while Dr. T. S. Palmer has contributed an important chapter on bird protection. Local lists of much value to students have kindly been furnished by Mr. A. W. Anthony, Mr. Joseph Grinnell, Mr. Walter K. Fisher, Mr. William H. Kobbe, and Mr. Frank Bond, to whom, as to all those who have helped in the preparation of the book, I would express my sincere gratitude and appreciation.
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Birds of the Rockies

Leander S. Keyser

Eight full page plates by Louis Agassiz Fuertes; many illustrations in the text by Bruce Horsfall, and eight views of localities from photographs

A.C. McClurg & Co

1902

Opening lines:

To study the birds from the level plains to the crests of the peaks swimming in cloudland; to note the species that are peculiar to the various altitudes, as well as those that range from the lower areas to the alpine heights ; to observe the behavior of all the birds encountered in the West, and compare their habits, songs, and general deportment with those of correlated species and genera in the East; to learn as much as possible about the migratory movements up and down the mountains as the seasons wax and wane, surely that would be an inspiring prospect to any student of the feathered fraternity. For many years one of the writer's most cherished desires has been to investigate the bird life of the Rocky Mountains. In the spring of 1899, and again in 1901, fortune smiled upon him in the most genial way, and in a mental state akin to rapture, it must be confessed he found himself rambling over the plains and mesas and through the deep canons, and clambering up the dizzy heights, in search of winged rarities. In this chapter attention will be called to a few general facts relative to bird life in the Rockies, leaving the details for subsequent recital. As might be expected, the towering elevations influence the movements of the feathered tenants of the district. There is here what might be called a vertical migration, aside from the usual pilgrimages north and south which are known to the more level portions of North America. The migratory journeys up and down the mountains occur with a regularity that amounts to a system; yet so far as regards these movements each species must be studied for itself, each having manners that are all its own.
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Birdcraft: A Field Book Of Two Hundred Song, Game, And Water Birds

Mabel Osgood Wright

80 plates: Louis Agassiz Fuertes

The Macmillan Company

New edition

1899

First published in 1895. The 1899 edition was the first edition to feature plates by L.A. Fuertes.

From the opening lines:

"Do you want to know the birds and call them by their familiar names? You may do so if you will, provided you have keen eyes and a pocket full of patience; patience is the salt of the bird-catching legend. ..... The way is plain for those who wish to study the science of ornithology and have time to devote to the pursuit; its literature is exhaustive, and no country offers a more inter- esting variety of species than our own. But for the novice, who wishes to identify easily the birds that surround him, to recognize their songs and give them their English names, the work at first seems difficult. There are many scientific terms, containing their own definitions, that lose force and exactness when translated into simpler language, requiring a dozen words to give the meaning of one. There is a comforting fact, however, for the novice, that while scientific nomenclature has been and is constantly changing, the com- mon names, that science also recognizes, remain practically unchanged. Our Bluebird bears the same name as in Audubon's day, and the Meadowlark, who has been moved from one genus to another, is called the Meadowlark still."
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Birds Of Village And Field: A Bird Book For Beginners

Florence A. Merriam

B/W plates: L.A. Fuertes, Ernest S. Thompson, John L. Ridgway and others

Houghton Mifflin And Company

1898

From the preface:

In this day of outdoor and nature interest, we are coming to realize that to the birds as well as the flowers we owe much of the beauty and charm of country life; and if it could be accomplished within the narrow margins of our busy lives, we would gladly know more of the songsters. Their prevalence, though often unsuspected, helps render this possible; for they are to be found in villages and cities as well as in the fields. In a shrubby back yard in Chicago, close to one of the main thoroughfares, Mrs. Sara Hubbard has seen fifty-seven species in a year, and her record for ten years was a hundred species. In an orchard in Brattleboro', Vermont, Mrs. E. B. Davenport has noted seventy-nine species in a year. And within the limits of Portland, Connecticut, Mr. John H. Sage has known ninety-nine kinds of birds to nest. In the larger cities, cemeteries and parks offer rare opportunities for bird study. Dr. W. C. Braislin gives a list of seventy-six species for Prospect Park, Brooklyn; while Mr. H. E. Parkhurst has himself seen ninety-four species in Central Park, and as many as a hundred and forty-two have been recorded altogether. The question, then, is not one of finding birds, but of knowing their names when they are found; and here the way of the beginner is hard. Years of experience with field classes of such beginners has made me appreciate the peculiar disadvantages under which they labor, and I have written this book to make it possible for them to know the birds without shooting them.
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Bird-Life: A Guide To The Study Of Our Common Birds

Frank M. Chapman

Seventy-Five Full page plates and numerous text drawings by Ernest Seton Thompson

D. Appleton And Company

1897

From the preface:

How unusual it is to meet any one who can correctly name a dozen of our birds! One may live in the country and still know only two or three of the one hundred and fifty or more kinds of birds that may be found during the year. Nevertheless, these gay, restless creatures, both by voice and action, constantly invite our attention, and they are far too interesting and beautiful to be ignored. No one to whom Nature appeals should be without some knowledge of these, the most attractive of her animate forms. The scientific results to be derived from the study of birds are fully realized by the naturalist. But there are other results equally important. I would have every one know of them: results that add to our pleasure in field and wood, and give fresh interest to walks that before were eventless; that quicken l)oth ear and eye, making us hear and see where before we were deaf and blind. Then, to our surprise, we shall discover that the forests and pastures we have known all our lives are tenanted by countless feathered inhabitants whose companionship will prove a source of endless enjoyment. I would enter a special plea for the study of birds in the schools; for the more general introduction of ornithology in natural-history courses. Frogs and crayfish serve an excellent purpose, but we may not en- counter either of them after leaving the laboratory ; whereas birds not only offer excellent opportunities for study, but are always about us, and even a slight familiarity with them will be of value long after school days are over.
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Bird Neighbors: An Introductory Acquaintance with One Hundred and Fifty Of Our Common Birds

Neltje Blanchan

Doubleday & McClure

1897

From the preface:

Not to have so much as a bowing acquaintance with the birds that nest in our gardens or under the very eaves of our houses; that haunt our wood-piles; keep our fruit-trees free from slugs; waken us with their songs, and enliven our walks along the roadside and through the woods, seems to be, at least, a breach of etiquette toward some of our most kindly disposed neighbors.
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Handbook Of The Sparrows, Finches, etc., Of New England

C.J. Maynard

1896

From the introduction:

"My reason for writing a book upon birds with such a limited scope as the present, is because 1 am sure, from a somewhat extended experience, that it is better for those beginning the study of ornithology to first become thoroughly acquainted w4th some one group of birds, than to acquire a smattering knowledge of many. I have therefore selected the largest and in some ways the most important family of our New England birds, partly, because it is the most extended, but more particularly, because there is no season of the year, when some members of it are not to be found with us. In my walks in the fields and woods with my many pupils, I have found that some experience great difficulty m learning to distinguish birds, either by sight or by hearing their songs. This difficulty, it appears to me, is really due to the fact that the observer is trying to grasp an entirely new, and too vast a subject without a sufficient training of eye and ear. This being undoubtedly the case with so many, it appears best to begin with a group of birds, most of which are of a sufficient size to be readily seen and which not only have prominent, characteristic markings, but which also have songs which are readily distinguishable."
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The Common Crow Of The United States

Walter B. Barrows and E. A. Schwarz

Division Of Ornithology And Mammology Bulletin No. 6

US Department of Agriculture

Government Printing Office

1895

From the opening lines:

The Common Crow is generally distributed from the southern border of the United States north to about latitude 03°. It is abundant in the well-watered regions of the East, but in the West it is rare or local in the arid country, which comprises most parts of the Great Plains, the Great Basin, and the deserts of the Southwest from Texas to California. In southern Florida the Common Crow differs slightly from the northern bird, and is known as the Florida Crow. Four other crows and ravens are found in the United States. Along the Atlantic Coast from Long Island southward the small Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) occurs with the Common Crow, while on the Pacific Coast from Washington northward the Northwest Crow (Corvus caurinus) is found. The Eaven (Corvus corax sinuatus) inhabits various parts of the United States. The White-necked Raven (Corvus cryptoleucus) is common locally in Arizona, New Mexico, and some other parts of the Southwest.
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The Hawks And Owls Of The United States In Their Relation To Agriculture

A.K. Fisher

Color plates: J.L. Ridgway, R. Ridgway

Division Of Ornithology And Mammology Bulletin No. 3

US Department of Agriculture

Government Printing Office

1893

From the prefatory letter:

The statements herein contained respecting the food of the various hawks and owls are based on the critical examination, by scientific experts, of the actual contents of about 2,700 stomachs of these birds, and consequently may be fairly regarded as a truthful showing of the normal food of each species. The result proves that a class of birds commonly looked upon as enemies to the farmer, and indiscriminately destroyed whenever occasion offers, really rank among his best friends, and with few exceptions should be preserved, and encouraged to take up their abode in the neighborhood of his home. Only six of the 73 species and subspecies of hawks and owls of the United States are injurious. Of these, three are so extremely rare they need hardly be considered, and another (the Fish Hawk) is only indirectly injurious, leaving but two (the Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks) that really need be taken into account as enemies to agriculture. Omitting the six species that feed largely on poultry and game, 2,212 stomachs were examined, of which 56 per cent contained mice and other small mammals, 27 per cent insects, and only 3 per cent poultry or game birds. In view of these facts the folly of offering bounties for the destruction of hawks and owls, as has been done by several States, becomes apparent, and the importance of an accurate knowledge of the economic status of our common birds and mammals is overwhelmingly demonstrated.
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Report On Bird Migration In The Mississippi Valley In The Years 1884 And 1885

W.W. Cooke

Division Of Economic Ornithology Bulletin No. 2

US Department of Agriculture

Government Printing Office

1888

From the prefatory letter:

The present report, which has been prepared by Prof. W. W. Cooke, with the assistance of Mr. Otto Widinann and Prof. D. E. Lantz, is the first fruit of the co-operative labors of the Division of Economic Ornithology of the Department of Agriculture and the Committee on Bird Migration of the American Ornithologists' Union. It consists of two parts: (1) an introductory portion treating of the history and methods of the work, together with a general study of the subject of Bird Migration, including the influence of the weather upon the movements of birds, the progression of bird waves and causes affecting the same, the influence of topography and altitude upon migration, and the rates of flight in the various species; and (2) a systematic portion in which the five hundred and sixty species of birds known to occur in the Mississippi Valley are treated serially, the movements of each during the seasons of 1884 and 1885 being traced with as much exactness as the records furnished by the one hundred and seventy observers in the district permit.
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Our Northern And Eastern Birds

Edward E. Samuels

R. Worthington

1883

Earlier editions were published as Birds Of New England.

From the preface:

"In every department of Zoology, I believe, pictorial representation, even though not of the most finished character, is better qualified to give a good idea of the object intended than the most accurate description. Such at least is the case in Ornithology; and the comparative neglect shown to what would seem likely to be one of the most attractive branches of Natural History, may perhaps be partly attributed to the scarcity of works containing coloured illustrations of birds, and their usually excessive costliness. The present volume is the result of an attempt to contribute something towards meeting these deficiencies, by giving figures of an interesting group of this class of animals, sufficiently accurate for all scientific purposes, and at a price which, it is hoped, will render it not unattainable to many, who have hitherto been generally precluded from acquiring books of this sort. The work is not expected to be a profitable undertaking, but, should a number of copies be disposed of sufficient nearly to meet the expenses of publication, it is in contemplation to issue other volumes of a similar character."
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The Birds Of Eastern North America

With Original Descriptions Of All The Species Which Occur East Of The Mississippi River Between The Arctic Circle And The Gulf Of Mexico

C.J. Maynard

1881

From the preface:

"In June, 1879, the publication of THE BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA was commenced. This work is remodeled on the old 'Birds of Florida' but, as it includes all the birds which occur between the Arctic Circle and Gulf the of Mexico, east of the Mississippi River, its scope is very much enlarged. An entirely new edition of plates has been prepared for this book, all of which have been drawn on stone by the author. Some few changes have been made in the text but, as it has not been thought expedient to repage the hook, the reader will find that the first 128 pages treat, with some few exceptions, solely of the birds which occur in Florida, but descriptions of the few which have been omitted are to be found in the appendix. Some species which are only stragglers in the region of which I write which are not given in their proper places, are also described in that portion of the work; therefore it will be well for the reader to consult the index when he wishes to find the account of any particular species."
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Last updated August 2017