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Books
The Wood Duck and The Mandarin published by University of California Press, CA, 1996, has the classic beauty of a coffee-table book with detailed information about the history, ecology, and biology of these two species. This book is a must-have for duck lovers.
Look for Hummingbirds: Their Life and Behavior published by Crown Publishers, NY, 1985. This is a photographic study of North American species with behavioral, morphological, and environmental info about hummingbirds. Recommended for beginners to advanced readers.
If you can't get enough of flycatchers then read Alexandar Skutch's book, Life of the Flycatcher, published by University of Oklahoma Press, 1997, with beautiful illustrations by Dana Gardner. Skutch, who recently passed away was, and continues to be, an authority on tropical and neotropical bird species. His easy, personal writing style is another reason for his continuing allure.
Look for Red-tailed Hawk published by Stackpole Books, PA, 2000. It is a fun read filled with over a hundred photos of red-tails in flight, in the nest, etc. This book is part of a series called Wildlife Bird Guides. Each offers an in-depth look at the lives of 10 common species. I recommend this series for beginners and intermediate bird watchers.
If you haven't read this book, now is the time. Red-tails In Love: A Wildlife Drama in Central Park by Marie Winn is a charming book with engaging stories and humor about the people and birds of this world-renowned park. It is published by Pantheon Books, NY, 1998.
Hawks and Owls of Eastern North America by Donald S. Heintzelman, published by Rutgers University Press, 2004, is an attractive, engaging natural history guide that introduces readers to information about eastern raptors. It covers identification, habitats, behavior, and conservation issues. It is an enjoyable read for beginning and intermediate birders and/or individuals who enjoy collecting beautifully illustrated and photographed publications.
From the humorous to the contemplative, The Gift of Birds: True Encounters with Avian Spirits is a nice collection of stories written by well-known and emerging authors. It's a fun read for a cozy, winter night. It is edited by Larry Habegger and Amy G. Carlson and published by Travelers' Tales, 1999.
For those who want in-depth reading on sparrows, David Beadle and James Rising have updated their research in a photographic guide titled: Sparrows of the United States and Canada, published by Natural World, Academic Press, UK, 2002. The book is jam-packed with wonderful photographs and information on each species including: measurements, habitat, behavior, voice, similar species, geographic variation, distribution, conservation status, molt, description, hybrids and references. Who can ask for more?
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Articles
~ Birder's World published a short article on sparrows written by Kenn Kaufman with photos by Brian E. Small. It's a helpful pullout that looks at White-throated, Golden-crowned, White-crowned and Harris's Sparrows. Look for it in the December 2004 issue, pages 70-72.
~ In a past issue of Birding magazine, published by the membership organization, American Birding Association, there is a detailed article titled: "Pitfalls of Classifying Light Morph Red-tailed Hawks to Subspecies" by Jerry Liguori. Look for it in the October 2001 issue, pages 436-446. The author includes several pictures that illustrate his points. This article is best for intermediate to advanced birders.
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Previous Bird Joys
Whether pictures or fun facts interest you there is plenty of fun stuff in these newsletters. Click the titles/hyperlinks, or use the search engine below.
~ Bird Joy - December 2004 -- Jam-packed issue with pictures of rare, NYC sightings including Boreal, Snowy and Eastern Screech-Owls, Rufous Hummingbirds, Wilson's Warblers… Also see photos about the 105th Christmas Bird Count and bird walks in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY.
~ Bird Joy - November 2004 -- Fun pictures and info on rare sightings including Great Horned Owl, Ash-throated Flycatcher, and Mountain Bluebird, plus facts and images of the spectacular "burning bushes" of autumn.
~ Bird Joy - Autumn 2004 -- A page about sparrows and the rare Purple Gallinule discovered in the Lullwater of Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY.
"I rejoice that there are owls."
Henry Thoreau
Copyright © Arleen O'Brien, All Rights Reserved, 2005
I take great care to acknowledge photographers, authors, etc. in this web site. If you notice an error, please feel free to contact me so that I may properly give credit. To do so, click my name.
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