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This page lists bird related books published by University of Texas Press in the Corrie Herring Hooks Series.

The series was established by Verna Hooks McLean and Ruth McLean Bowers in honor of their mother and grandmother, a lifelong nature-lover and conservationist.

University of Texas Press pages

Mildred Wyatt-Wold Series in Ornithology

Other bird related books

A Natural History of Belize: Insights from the Chiquibul Forest and Las Cuevas Research Station

Samuel Bridgewater

University of Texas Press

2012

"Belize's Chiquibul Forest is one of the largest remaining expanses of tropical moist forest in Central America. It forms part of what is popularly known as the Maya Forest. Battered by hurricanes over millions of years, occupied by the Maya for thousands of years, and logged for hundreds of years, this ecosystem has demonstrated its remarkable ecological resilience through its continued existence into the twenty-first century. Despite its history of disturbance, or maybe in part because of it, the Maya Forest is ranked as an important regional biodiversity hot spot and provides some of the last regional habitats for endangered species such as the jaguar, the scarlet macaw, Baird's tapir, and Morelet's crocodile. A Natural History of Belize presents for the first time a detailed portrait of the habitats, biodiversity, and ecology of the Maya Forest, and Belize more broadly, in a format accessible to a popular audience. It is based in part on the research findings of scientists studying at Las Cuevas Research Station in the Chiquibul Forest. The book is unique in demystifying many of the big scientific debates related to rainforests. These include "Why are tropical forests so diverse?"; "How do flora and fauna evolve?"; and "How do species interact?" By focusing on the ecotourism paradise of Belize, this book illustrates how science has solved some of the riddles that once perplexed the likes of Charles Darwin, and also shows how it can assist us in managing our planet and forest resources wisely in the future."

Birds of Costa Rica: A Field Guide

Carrol L. Henderson

Foreword: Alexander F. Skutch

Corrie Herring Hooks Series

University of Texas Press

2010

"A dedicated field guide to the birds that travellers are most likely to see, as well as to the unique or endemic species that are of high interest to birders. "Birds of Costa Rica" covers 310 birds with fascinating accounts of the birds' natural history, identification, and behaviour gleaned from Henderson's forty years of travelling and birding in Costa Rica. All of the accounts include beautiful photographs of the birds, most of which were taken in the wild by Henderson. There are new updated distribution maps and a detailed appendix that identifies many of the country's best bird-watching locations and lodges, including contact information for trip planning purposes."

Chasing Neotropical Birds

Vera and Bob Thornton

University of Texas Press

2005

"From Belize to Brazil, the forests of the American neotropics are home to an astonishing array of birds - over 3,700 different species, or nearly 40 percent of all the birds on earth. Because of this overwhelming abundance, birders come from all over the world to try to catch glimpses of species that can be found nowhere else, such as toucans and ant birds, motmots and manakins, bellbirds and cocks-of-the-rock, and practically all of the planet's hummingbirds. Two such birding enthusiasts are Vera and Bob Thornton, who have spent fifteen years photographing these special and exotic birds in the rainforests of eleven different countries of Central and South America.In this book, you'll find more than a hundred spectacular color photographs they took during their travels, along with a highly entertaining account of their adventures - and misadventures - in chasing these exotic neotropicals. The birds pictured here are among the Thorntons' personal favorites - birds that, in their words, 'either dazzled us with their beauty, or charmed us by their behavior, or, in a few cases, simply challenged us by the mystique of their rarity'. This latter category includes such elusive and sought-after birds as the Black-crowned Antpitta, the Zigzag Heron, the Rufous -vented Ground-Cuckoo, the Bare-necked Umbrellabird, and the monkey-eating Harpy Eagle. In the accompanying text, Bob Thornton engagingly describes the challenges as well as the magic of negotiating the neotropical rainforests in search of colorful birds to photograph."

Peregrine Falcon: Stories of the Blue Meanie

James H. Enderson

2005

"In this personal and highly entertaining memoir, Jim Enderson tells stories of a lifetime spent studying, training, breeding, and simply enjoying peregrine falcons. He recalls how his boyhood interest in raptors grew into an ornithological career in which he became one of the leading experts who helped identity DDT as the cause of the peregrine falcon's sudden and massive decline across the United States. His stories reveal both the dedication that he and fellow researchers brought to the task of studying and restoring the peregrine and the hair-raising adventures that sometimes befell them along the way. Enderson also seamlessly weaves in the biology and natural history of the peregrine, as well as anecdotes about its traditional and widespread use in falconry as an aggressive yet tractable hunter, to offer a broad portrait of this splendid and intriguing falcon."

Birds of Belize

H. Lee Jones

University of Texas Press

2004

"With nearly six hundred identified species of birds - and an average of five "new" species discovered annually - Belize is becoming a birding hotspot for amateur and professional birders from around the globe. Thousands of birders visit the country each year to enjoy Belize's amazing abundance and variety of both temperate and tropical birds in natural habitats that remain largely unspoiled. But until now, despite the growing need for an authoritative identification guide, birders have had to rely on regional field guides that offer only limited information on Belizean birds. Birds of Belize provides the first complete guide to the identification of all currently known species - 574 in all. The birds are grouped by families, with an introduction to each family that highlights its uniquely identifying characteristics and behaviors. The species accounts include all the details necessary for field identification: scientific and common names, size, plumage features, thorough voice descriptions, habitat, distribution, and status in Belize. Full color, expertly drawn illustrations by noted bird artist Dana Gardner present male and female, juvenile and adult, and basic and alternate plumages to aid visual identification throughout the year, while 234 range maps show the birds' distribution and seasonality in Belize. A comprehensive bibliography completes the volume."

Saving Migrant Birds: Developing Strategies for the Future

J. Faaborg

University of Texas Press

2003

"Looking back over more than a decade of efforts to save migrant birds, John Faaborg offers the first serious evaluation of the state of songbird populations today, the effectiveness of conservation programs such as Partners in Flight, and the reliability and completeness of scientific research on migrant birds. Taking neither an alarmist nor a complacent approach, he shows that many factors besides habitat loss affect bird populations and that Neotropical migrants as a group are not declining dramatically, though some species adapt to habitat alteration more successfully than others. Faaborg's state-of-the-art survey thus clarifies the kinds of information we will need and the conservation efforts we should undertake to ensure the long-term survival of Neotropical migrant birds."

Golden Wings and Other Stories about Birders and Birding

Pete Dunne

University of Texas Press

2003

"This book collects forty-one of Dunne's recent essays, drawn from his columns in "Living Bird", "Wild Bird News", the "New Jersey Sunday" section of the "New York Times", "Birder's World", and other publications. Written with his signature wit and insight, they cover everything from a moment of awed communion with a Wandering Albatross ("the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen") to Dunne's imagined "perfect bird" ("The Perfect Bird is the size of a turkey, has the wingspan of an eagle, the legs of a crane, the feet of a moorhen, and the talons of a great horned owl. It eats kudzu, surplus zucchini, feral cats, and has been known to predate upon homeowners who fire up their lawn mowers before 7:00 A.M. on the weekend."). The title essay pays whimsical, yet heartfelt tribute to Dunne's mentor, the late birding legend Roger Tory Peterson."

Endangered and Threatened Animals of Florida and Their Habitats

Chris SCott

University of Texas Press

2003

"This fully illustrated book is a comprehensive, yet convenient and easy-to-understand guide to Florida's endangered and threatened animals and the habitats that support them. Chris Scott covers all 71 species, subspecies, or populations of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, crustaceans, insects, corals, and mollusks. His species accounts describe each animal's listed status, identifying characteristics, historical and current distribution, biology, current threats, and conservation efforts. To make the crucial link between animals and their habitats, Scott also includes extensive discussions of Florida's natural regions; human impacts on the environment, including habitat destruction, pollution, and the introduction of invasive, nonnative species; and ongoing efforts to conserve and restore native plant and animal communities."

The Behavior of Texas Birds

Kent Rylander

University of Texas Press

2002

"Whether it's the sudden, plunging dives of Brown Pelicans, the singing and aerial displays of Northern Mockingbirds, or the communal nesting of Purple Martins, innate and learned behaviours are some of the most fascinating things to observe in Texas birds. Even casual birdwatchers eventually ask, 'why do they do that?' while serious birders and ornithologists seek to understand all the behaviours involved in feeding, flying, mating, and rearing young. But until now, it has been hard to find this information in one handy source. In this comprehensive, yet easy-to-use book, Kent Rylander distils data from many sources to provide an authoritative guide to the behaviour of Texas birds. He begins by explaining the principles of animal behaviour and illustrating how they can be applied to interpreting bird behaviours in the field. The majority of the book is devoted to accounts of more than 400 species of birds that are most likely to be encountered by Texas birdwatchers. Each account describes such behaviours as feeding, courtship, parenting, and other behaviours that are significant for that species."

Field Guide To The Wildlife of Costa Rica

Carrol L. Henderson

Foreword: Alexander F. Skutch

Corrie Herring Hooks Series

University of Texas Press

2002

"At the biological crossroads of the Americas, Costa Rica hosts an astonishing array of plants and animals - over half a million species! Ecotourists, birders, and biologists come from around the world to immerse themselves in the country's unspoiled rain forests, mountains, and beaches, drawn by the likelihood of seeing more than three or four hundred species of birds and other animals during even a short stay. To help all of these visitors and local residents identify and enjoy the wildlife of Costa Rica, this field guide presents nearly three hundred species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, moths, and other invertebrates. Carrol Henderson, an experienced wildlife biologist, traveller, and tour leader in Costa Rica, has chosen the species that ecotourists are most likely to see, along with a selection of rarer, sought-after animals. He gives a general introduction to each group of animals, followed by individual species accounts that highlight identification features and interesting ecological adaptations for survival. His stunning close-up photographs and distribution maps complete each entry. In addition, Henderson includes a wealth of data about Costa Rica's natural environment, as well as a trip preparation checklist and lists of conservation organisations, wildlife tourism sites, and wildlife vocalisation tapes and CDs."

The Purple Martin

Robin R. Doughty and Rob Fergus

University of Texas Press

2002

"One of the surest harbingers of spring is the return of Purple Martins to the houses that people put up across the United States to attract these companionable birds. The bustle of courting, rearing nestlings, and fledging young martins fills the summer months, until approaching autumn lures the martins to their winter range in South America. Then human landlords refurbish their martin houses and wait for another round of this much-anticipated yearly cycle. Robin Doughty and Rob Fergus here present a concise natural history of the bird and its centuries-long companionship with people. They discuss the martin's scientific classification and names, its migration and range, and its family life. They relate stories of how Native Americans and European colonists attracted Purple Martins and how Americans throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries helped martins survive the loss of natural nesting sites by providing houses for them. The authors also describe how whole communities have become centres for martin promotion and detail the many organisations and resources in print and on the Internet through which martin fans can communicate with each other and learn more about attracting and housing the birds."

The Red-cockaded Woodpecker: Surviving in a Fire-Maintained Ecosystem

Richard Conner, D. Craig Rudolph, and Jeffrey R. Walters

University of Texas Press

2001

"In this book, three of the leading experts on the Red-cockaded Woodpecker offer a comprehensive overview of all that is currently known about its biology and natural history and about the ecology of the fire-maintained forests it requires for survival. As the most visible endangered species in the Southeast, and the one whose conservation impacts the largest land area, the Red-cockaded Woodpecker holds a compelling interest not only for ornithologists, but also for wildlife managers, foresters, developers, environmentalists, and government officials. For all of these groups, this book will be the essential resource for learning more about the Red-cockaded Woodpecker and ensuring its survival."

Birds of the Texas Hill Country

Mark W. Lockwood

University of Texas Press

2001

"Situated in the centre of a state renowned for its abundant and varied birdlife, the Texas Hill Country provides habitat for 419 resident and migratory species, including the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo. Mark Lockwood, a biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife, has monitored these and other bird populations throughout the Hill Country for many years.In this book, he offers a complete, up-to-date guide to the status and distribution of every bird species reliably reported on the Edwards Plateau. The species accounts focus on four key characteristics of each bird: relative abundance, distribution within the region, habitat, and timing of occurrence. In addition, Lockwood discusses species that have been reported, but not documented, in the Hill Country, as well as those that might be expected to occur. For birders and ornithologists less familiar with the region, Lockwood also gives a general introduction to the ecology of the Edwards Plateau and to the flora and birdlife found in eighteen parks and birding areas."

Naturally . . . South Texas: Nature Notes from the Coastal Bend

Roland H. Wauer

University of Texas Press

2001

"The Golden Crescent of South Texas, a fifteen-county region along and inland from the middle Gulf Coast, is often called 'the Crossroads' because of its natural diversity. Located in the heart of the Gulf Coast Prairie and Marshes, the area also encompasses the trailing edges of the South Texas Plains, Post Oak Savannah, and Blackland Prairie. This confluence of ecological zones makes it a wonderful place for birding and for observing the changing face of nature, especially during seasonal transitions. In this book, Ro Wauer describes a typical year in the natural life of South Texas. Using selected entries from his weekly column in the "Victoria Advocate" newspaper, he discusses numerous topics for each month, from the first appearance of butterflies in January, to alligators making a comeback in July, to the Christmas bird count in December.His observations are filled with intriguing natural history lore, from what sounds mockingbirds will imitate (almost any noise in their neighbourhood) to how armadillos swim (by inflating themselves to increase their buoyancy)."

Birds of the Northwestern National Parks: A Birder's Perspective

Roland H. Wauer

Corrie Herring Hooks Series

University of Texas Press

2000

"From the bald eagle to the pileolated woodpecker, the varied and abundant birdlife of the northwestern national parks is as impressive as the parks' dramatic scenery. To help both beginning and advanced birders make the most of their visits to these parks, Roland Wauer has written this finding guide, which introduces the most common birds and the most likely places to see them."

Guide to the Offshore Wildlife of the Northern Atlantic

Michael H. Tove

University of Texas Press

2000

"To identify all the air-breathing offshore wildlife potentially encountered on birding, whale-watching, or sport fishing trips at sea, you could take along a stack of field guides - or this one comprehensive guide to all the birds, whales, dolphins, seals, and sea turtles of the Northern Atlantic. Written by a recognized authority on seabirds and whales and illustrated with his finely detailed color paintings, it provides both previously unknown and common field marks to help you identify and enjoy all the offshore wildlife in the Atlantic Ocean north of the Tropic of Cancer, as well as in the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea, and the Bay of Biscay.Michael Tove offers a general introduction to each group of animals, followed by concise accounts of every species found in the Northern Atlantic. He particularly highlights previously undescribed field marks and behavioral patterns that make identification at sea much easier than before. He also includes range/abundance graphs for twelve locations in North America and six in Britain and Europe to help you plan where and when to view particular species."

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

Richard V. Francaviglia

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."

Earth, Water, and Sky: A Naturalist's Stories and Sketches

Paul A. Johnsgard

University of Texas Press

1999

"Paul Johnsgard is one of America's most prominent ornithologists and a world authority on waterfowl behavior. In these popularly written, often lyrical essays, he describes some of his most fascinating encounters with birds, from watching the annual mating displays of prairie-chickens on a hilltop in Pawnee County, Nebraska, to attempting to solve some of the mysteries surrounding Australia's nearly flightless musk duck. Reflecting his worldwide interests and travels, the birds Johnsgard describes inhabit many parts of the globe. Grouping the birds by the element they frequent most - earth, water, or sky - he weaves a wealth of accurate natural history into personal stories drawn from a lifetime of avian observation. And, as a bonus, Johnsgard's lovely pen-and-ink drawings illustrate each species he describes."

The American Robin

Roland H. Wauer

University of Texas Press

1999

"In this book, Roland Wauer offers a complete natural history of the American Robin for a popular audience. Combining his own observations as a field naturalist with data gleaned from the scientific literature, he describes the American Robin from every angle - appearance and biology, distribution, behavior, life cycle, and enemies and threats. In addition, he explores the legends and lore surrounding robins ("Whoever kills a robin redbreast will never have good luck were they to live a thousand years") and offers suggestions for attracting robins to your yard with favorite foods, water, landscape plantings, and nesting places. One of the few native North American birds that has benefited from human development, the American Robin has always appeared wherever a farmer broke up the hard prairie sod or a city offered suburban neighborhoods, parks, gardens, and orchards. For everyone who wants to learn more about this most adaptable and friendly bird, The American Robin is the perfect place to start."

Chasing Warblers

Vera Thornton and Bob Thornton

University of Texas Press

1999

"An account of the authors travels locating and photographing the 52 species of North American wood warblers. They describe where and how they photographed each species and describe some of the human characters they met on their journeys."

Birds of the Trans-Pecos

Jim Peterson and Barry R. Zimmer

Drawings: Gail Diane Yovanovich

Corrie Herring Hooks Series

University of Texas Press

1998

"The Trans-Pecos, that huge region of Texas west of the Pecos River, is richer in recorded bird species than all but three of the United States. Hundreds of birders come here each year in search of species such as the Colima Warbler which are rarely if ever spotted in other parts of the country. Yet, until now, there was no comprehensive birding guide devoted to the entire region. Designed for intermediate to advanced birders, Birds of the Trans-Pecos provides an annotated checklist of all 482 species found in the region. The species accounts include seasonal distribution, documentation of nesting, most likely habitat, and the bird's status as a "Texas Review Species." The authors also describe the geography and bird habitats of the Trans-Pecos; federal and state parklands in the area (including Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains), with the species that occur in each; and the mountain-breeding birds and species of special interest."

The Wood Warblers: An Introductory Guide

Barth Schorre and John Rappole

University of Texas Press

1998

"A beginner's pictorial guide to identification of 49 wood warbler species of the US and Canada. After information on distribution, diminishing numbers, migration, and attracting warblers, a gallery of birds offers colour photos for each entry showing males and females, and describe characteristics, range, and abundance."

The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

June Osborne

University of Texas Press

1998

"This title paints a detailed portrait of the best-known hummingbird in the US, recounting its life cycle through accounts of a typical day in its life and stories of the birds' migrations between their summer breeding grounds and their winter homes. It also reveals how to identify males, females, young and mature birds."

The Prairie Falcon

Stanley H. Anderson and John R. Squires

University of Texas Press

1997

"This is the first book for a wide audience devoted exclusively to the Prairie Falcon. Stanley Anderson and John Squires cover all aspects of the falcon's life history from mating and rearing young to hunting behaviors and the yearly migration cycle. They provide complete descriptive characteristics for identifying Prairie Falcons and also compare them to other raptors, especially the closely related Peregrine Falcon. In addition, the authors recount the long association of falcons with people, which may extend back as far as 2000 BC. They describe the practice of falconry from the Middle Ages until today. And they assess the threats to Prairie Falcons posed by human activities, from pesticide use and destruction of habitat to disruption of the breeding cycle by careless birdwatchers."

Antbirds and Ovenbirds: Their Lives and Homes

Alexander F. Skutch

Corrie Herring Hooks Series

University of Texas Press

1996

"Antbirds and ovenbirds, two of the five largest families of birds found only in the Western Hemisphere, have been among Alexander Skutch's favorites for more than six decades. In this book, he draws on years of observations to describe the life cycle of these fascinating birds, which inhabit Latin America from tropical Mexico to Tierra del Fuego. Skutch covers all aspects of the birds' lives, including the various species in each family, food and foraging, daily life, voice, displays and courtship, nests and incubation, and parental care. He also recounts anecdotes from his own experiences, creating vivid pictures of antbirds foraging for the insects Skutch stirs up on walks through the rainforest and of ovenbirds repairing the observation holes that he opens in their elaborate nests."

A Birder's West Indies: An Island-by-Island Tour

Roland H. Wauer

Afterword: Paul Butler

Illustrated: Mimi Hoppe Wolf

Corrie Herring Hooks Series

University of Texas Press

1996

"In A Birder's West Indies, Roland Wauer takes you on an island-by-island journey of discovery. He describes the unique natural features of each island and recounts his often fascinating experiences in seeking out the nearly 400 species of birds known in the West Indies. His accounts give insight into the birds' habitats, status, and ecology and record some of the threats posed by human activities."

The Cardinal

June Osborne

University of Texas Press

1995

"Follows a year in the life of the northern cardinal, detailing how the bird stakes out territory, chooses mates, cares for its young, copes with predators, and survives adverse weather and shortages of food."

Saving the Best of Texas: A Partnership Approach to Conservation

Richard Bartlett

Foreword: Robert L. Thornton III

Introduction: Andrew Sansom

Corrie Herring Hooks Series

University of Texas Press

1995

"With a deep belief in partnerships for conservation, Richard C. Bartlett, Chairman of The Nature Conservancy of Texas, explores the past and ongoing efforts of individuals and groups - private, public, federal, and state - to save the best of Texas' natural landscapes and the myriad species of plants and animals they support. Drawing on some 100,000 miles of backroads travel, Bartlett vividly describes many of the areas that, through a commitment to partnerships, have already been preserved in their natural state."

Birds and Other Wildlife of South Central Texas: A Handbook

Edward A. Kutac and S. Christopher Caran

University of Texas Press

1994

The Mississippi Kite: Portrait of a Southern Hawk

Eric Bolen

University of Texas Press

1993

Nesting Birds of Coastal Islands: A Naturalist's Year on Galveston Bay

John C. Dyes

University of Texas Press

1993

"Superb color and black-and-white photographs document the year's cycle for birds on the rookery islands along the Texas Gulf coast. The text explains the behavior of over 20 species of terns, gulls and colonial wading birds."

A Naturalist in New Guinea

Bruce M. Beehler

University of Texas Press

1991

Return of the Whooping Crane

Robin W. Doughty

University of Texas Press

1989

The story of the recovery from near extinction to a population of over 200 birds.

Birds Asleep

Alexander F. Skutch

University of Texas Press

1989

The Mockingbird

Robin W.Doughty

University of Texas Press

1988

Contents:

• Introduction
• The Mockingbirds
• Distribution
• Range Extension
• Introductions and Arrivals
• Island Colonization
• Life History: Food
• Territory
• Nests, Eggs, and Young
• Song
• Cage Birds and Conservationists
• The Mockingbird in American Culture
• State Birds
• Folklore
• Further Reading
• Other Sources

Birds of Tropical America

Alexander F. Skutch

Corrie Herring Hooks Series

University of Texas Press

1983

"Describes the behavior, nesting habits, and life cycles of the various types of birds in the tropical forests of South and Central America."

Bird Student: An Autobiography

George Miksch Sutton

University of Texas Press

1980

A Bird Watcher's Adventures in Tropical America

Alexander F. Skutch

Corrie Herring Hooks Series

University of Texas Press

1978

"A well-known naturalist and bird-watcher tells of some of his more memorable experiences during journeys through the wilds of Mexico and Central and South America in the 1930s and early 1940s."

Parent Birds and Their Young

Alexander F. Skutch

University of Texas Press

1976

Bird Life of Texas

Harry C. Oberholser

Corrie Herring Hooks Series

University of Texas Press

1975

Two volumes in a slipcase.