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Bird Life: A Guide to the Study of Our Common Birds
by Julie Zickefoose Frank Michler ChapmanFrom the sparrow to the starling, the woodpecker to the warbler, the eagle to the egret, and every species in between, birds are some of the most plentiful and most diverse creatures in North America. Soaring high above us, these winged beauties have long been a source of fascination and enchantment. While dozens of studies and field guides have been written, few provide a better-rounded overview of the denizens of the sky than Frank Michler Chapman’s Bird Life. First published in 1897, over a century later Bird Life stills provides insightful observations about dozens of species of birds native to North America. A pioneer in the study of natural history and ornithology, Frank Chapman writes with scientific prowess and an expert’s eye in regards to bird anatomy, migratory patterns, mating habits, and habitat choice. Describing species from across the continent, Bird Life is a true testament to one of the nation’s most beloved creatures.
Bird Lore: The Myths, Folklore and Meaning of Birds
by Sally CoulthardFrom bestselling author, Sally Coulthard, comes this charmingly illustrated guide to our favourite feathered friends and folklore that surround their lives. Even today, birds are hugely symbolic. From songbirds to seagulls, nightingales to morning larks, we still use the cultural language of the avian world. Doves bring peace, storks carry newborn babies. Robins mark Christmas, hens Easter. Blackbirds and thrushes herald the dawn, owls welcome in the night. Even in our modern, rational world, magpies and peacocks still invite superstitions. In her new book, Sally takes a fascinating flight through the myths, magic and meaning of birds. Covering 50 well-loved avian species from across the world, she glides through their folklore, legends and symbolism. From common sayings to strange superstitions, ancient beliefs to modern celebrations, this gloriously illustrated and international guide reveals that Bird Lore is as alive and vibrant as it ever was.
Bird Migration Across the Himalayas
by Prins Herbert H. T. Tsewang NamgailBirds migrating across the Himalayan region fly over the highest peaks in the world, facing immense physiological and climatic challenges. The authors show the different strategies used by birds to cope with these challenges. Many wetland avian species are seen in the high-altitude lakes of the Himalayas and the adjoining Tibetan Plateau, such as Bar-Headed Geese. Ringing programmes have generated information about origins and destinations, and this book is the first to present information on the bird's exact migratory paths. Capitalising on knowledge generated through satellite telemetry, the authors describe the migratory routes of a multitude of birds flying over or skirting the Himalayas. The myriad of threats to migratory birds and the wetland system in the Central Asian Flyway are discussed, with ways to mitigate them. This volume will inform and persuade policy-makers and conservation practitioners to take appropriate measures for the long-term survival of this unique migration.
Bird Migration and Global Change
by George W. CoxChanges in seasonal movements and population dynamics of migratory birds in response to ongoing changes resulting from global climate changes are a topic of great interest to conservation scientists and birdwatchers around the world. Because of their dependence on specific habitats and resources in different geographic regions at different phases of their annual cycle, migratory species are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. In Bird Migration and Global Change, eminent ecologist George W. Cox brings his extensive experience as a scientist and bird enthusiast to bear in evaluating the capacity of migratory birds to adapt to the challenges of a changing climate. Cox reviews, synthesizes, and interprets recent and emerging science on the subject, beginning with a discussion of climate change and its effect on habitat, and followed by eleven chapters that examine responses of bird types across all regions of the globe. The final four chapters address the evolutionary capacity of birds, and consider how best to shape conservation strategies to protect migratory species in coming decades. The rate of climate change is faster now than at any other moment in recent geological history. How best to manage migratory birds to deal with this challenge is a major conservation issue, and Bird Migration and Global Change is a unique and timely contribution to the literature.
Bird Migration: A New Understanding
by John H. RappoleA fascinating and nuanced exploration of why, how, and which birds migrate.Bird migration captivates the human imagination, yet for most of us, key aspects of the phenomenon remain a mystery. How do birds sense the ideal moment to take wing, and once the epic journey has begun, how do they find their distant destinations? Fresh insights about avian movements are still constantly emerging, powered by new tools like molecular genetics and transmitter miniaturization. In this book, renowned ornithologist and author John H. Rappole reveals intriguing results of recent scientific studies on migration, explaining their importance for birders, nature lovers, and researchers alike. Debunking misconceptions about the lives of birds that have persisted for thousands of years, Rappole explores unexpected causes and previously misunderstood aspects of the annual migration cycle. From the role of migrating birds in zoonotic disease transmission to climate change's impact on migration patterns, Rappole tackles crucial questions and ensures that readers come away with a new understanding of why and how birds migrate.
Bird Nerd
by Jennifer Ann RichterThoughtful, nerdy fifth-grader Nyla sets out to win her school's bird watching competition, while balancing old friends with new in this heartfelt debut.Nyla Braun has always been called a nerd at her Philadelphia school. But that hasn&’t stopped her from pursuing her nerdy hobbies, especially when she has best friend Tasha by her side. When a birding tournament between Nyla&’s class and a class from a suburban school is announced, Nyla sees her chance to get the respect she deserves. If they win, that is. The Burb Birders will be tough competition.With the contest underway, Nyla soon catches the attention of the most popular girl in class, who also wants to win, setting off a chain of small disasters as Nyla tries to balance old friends and new and the pressure to be cool when you really just want to be yourself.Told with warmth and gentle humor, debut author Jennifer Ann Richter&’s Bird Nerd combines a deep love of nature and birding with the story of a young girl learning to discover her own confidence and values.
Bird Photographer of the Year: Collection 10
by Andy Swash Paul Sterry Will NichollsThe world&’s best bird photography gathered in one beautiful bookThe 10th-anniversary volume of the acclaimed seriesCelebrating the artistry of bird photography from around the globe, the Bird Photographer of the Year is the leading international bird photography competition, and this gorgeous, large-format book showcases the best images from the contest—some of the most spectacular bird photographs ever taken. A remarkable record of avian beauty and diversity across the globe, the book demonstrates the astonishing skill of bird photographers and the incredible quality of today&’s digital imaging systems. Previous volumes of this annual series of books have garnered rave reviews. Writing about Collection 9, The Washington Post said, &“This stunning collection of images . . . presents the avian world in all its soaring grandeur, stunning color and, yes, accidental comedy.&”The Collection 10 volume features more than 250 of the best photographs selected from a record 33,000-plus entries submitted for the tenth anniversary of the competition, including all the winning and short-listed pictures. Taken by experienced professionals and enthusiastic amateurs, these richly various photos are organized by contest category, including Birds in the Environment, Bird Behavior, Birds in Flight, Urban Birds, Conservation, and the Young Bird Photographer of the Year. A portion of the Bird Photographer of the Year&’s profits goes to Birds on the Brink, a charity that supports bird conservation around the world.Filled with unforgettable images of a kind that simply weren&’t possible before digital photography, this book will delight anyone who loves birds or great photography.Large (11 x 9 inches / 28 x 23 cm), beautifully designed, and lavishly produced hardcover volumeFeatures more than 250 stunning photographsProvides details about how each image was captured—including camera, lens, and shutter speed
Bird Photographer of the Year: Collection 9
by Will Nicholls and Paul SterryA stunningly illustrated celebration of the world&’s best bird photographyThe Bird Photographer of the Year is a competition that celebrates the artistry of bird photography from around the world, and this beautiful, large-format book showcases the best images from the contest—some of the most stunning bird photographs ever taken. A gorgeous record of avian beauty and diversity across the globe, the book demonstrates the dedication and passion of bird photographers and the incredible quality of today&’s digital imaging systems.The book features the best of tens of thousands of images from the ninth year of the competition, including the winning and short-listed pictures. It presents a vast variety of photos by experienced professionals and enthusiastic amateurs, reflecting the huge diversity of bird and nature lovers, which is vital for ensuring the conservation and survival of birds. A portion of the profits from this book goes to Birds on the Brink, a charity that supports bird conservation around the world.Filled with unforgettable images of a kind that simply weren&’t possible before the creation of digital photography, this book will delight anyone who loves birds or great photography.
Bird School: A Beginner in the Wood
by Adam NicolsonAn intimate exploration of the lives of birds and their interactions with man, by a preeminent naturalist. Poets and scientists, saints and naturalists, stalk through these pages. Neighboring cock robins duel almost to the death. Tawny owl widows are seen looking for tawny owl widowers to set up shop with. Blackbirds are found singing phrases from late Beethoven quartets, both in a garden in southern England (where they have been listening to records played through the open window of a drawing room) and in Bonn, where Beethoven himself first heard them and where they are still singing to the same rhythms two hundred fifty years later. Bird School describes and follows Adam Nicolson’s progress over two or three years in trying to learn about, and eventually to create an environment friendly to, the birds of the farm where he lives in Sussex. In simple language that evinces his careful observational prowess, Nicolson aims to cross the boundary between the scientific and the prescientific understanding of birds, looking into why and how they sing, how they fly and breed, how they survive and migrate, how they have suffered at our hands, how we have loved them and damaged them, and how we might create, or re-create, a refuge for them. Here is a set of lessons for someone who knows little but cares a lot about the living world that is in such dire crisis. Here is life in the “rough grounds,” on the edge of culture and nature.
Bird Student: An Autobiography
by George Miksch SuttonAt thirteen, George Miksch Sutton planned a school of ornithology centered around his collection of bird skins, feathers, bones, nests, eggs, and a prized stuffed crow. As an adult, he became one of the most prominent ornithologists and bird artists of the twentieth century. He describes his metamorphosis from amateur to professional in Bird Student. Born in 1898, Sutton gives us his clearest memories of his boyhood in Nebraska, Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, Texas, and West Virginia with his closely knit family. Recognizing birds, identifying them correctly, drawing them, and writing about them became more and more important to him. His intense admiration for Louis Agassiz Fuertes had a good deal to do with his beginning to draw birds in earnest, and his correspondence and his 1916 summer visit with the generous Fuertes taught him to look at birds with the eyes of a professional artist and to consider the possibility of making ornithology his career. By 1918, Sutton had talked himself into a job at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, which gave him fresh opportunities to learn and travel, and his 1920 field trip to the Labrador Peninsula stimulated his lifelong interest in arctic birds. Further expeditions to James Bay, the east coast of Hudson Bay—on leave from his job as state ornithologist of Pennsylvania—and Southampton Island at the north end of Hudson Bay, in search of the elusive blue goose and its nesting grounds, give us glimpses of field methods before the days of sophisticated equipment. Sutton ends his autobiography in 1935, with an account of his graduate days at Cornell University and his position as curator of the Fuertes Memorial Collection of Birds. Bird Student is about raising young roadrunners and owls and prairie dogs, sailing (and being stranded) in arctic waters, preparing specimens in the hold of a ship, hunting birds and caribou and bears in almost inaccessible regions, canoeing in the Far North, camping in Florida, and delivering speeches in Pennsylvania. Sutton's gift for mixing facts and philosophy lets us see the evolution of a naturalist, as his inherent curiosity and innocent enjoyment of beauty led to a permanent desire to preserve this beauty.
Bird Talk: Hilariously Accurate Ways to Identify Birds by the Sounds They Make
by Becca RowlandA hilarious, informative, and vibrantly illustrated guide to 101 bird songs that sound surprisingly familiar. Have you ever gone for a walk in the woods and wondered what bird was making a sound like a siren going off, or somebody revving a chainsaw engine—or sneezing? Do you hear birds every day, in the park or your neighborhood, but never know quite what you are listening to? Birds are singing all around us, and author and illustrator Becca Rowland, aka Girl in White Glasses, connects the dots between their songs and the birds who make them, helping you to easily identify and remember their calls. Combining illustrations of common and rare birds with fascinating facts and whimsical descriptions of their calls, this book is full of humor and charm. From space lasers to cheeseburgers, Bird Talk introduces you to the weird and wonderful world of bird songs. This publication conforms to the EPUB Accessibility specification at WCAG 2.0 Level AA.
Bird Tracks & Sign
by Mark Elbroch Eleanor MarksSongbirds, waterfowl, owls, shorebirds, warblers, woodpeckers, nightjars, birds of prey. Dozens of feather groups photographed in color.
Bird Watching For Dummies
by Julie Zickefoose Jessica Vaughan Dawn HewittBirds are everywhere. Why not start really watching them?Sometimes, all it takes is a “spark bird” to open the door. A bird, seen well, so unexpectedly beautiful and interesting that it cracks you wide open. Bird Watching For Dummies is a spark book, teaching you all you need to know about this fun, affordable, and accessible hobby. It gently guides as you explore your local habitats, learn to recognize more and more species, and reap the many mental health benefits of connecting to the outdoors and all the wonders it holds. This book gets you started, teaching you how to identify birds by sight and sound, find birdwatching hotspots, and get the birds to come to your own backyard. You’ll learn about the latest gear, the best field guides and online apps that will jump-start your bird identification skills. Into photography? This book has your back, with tips on getting good photos for identification and aesthetic purposes. Find out how to join a local bird club, find a field trip or a group tour to rainforest, desert, seacoast, mountains or prairie. Every habitat has its own special birds, and when the birding bug bites, you’ll want to see them all. Get started with bird watching or take your hobby to the next level Improve your skills with tips for identifying birds by sight and sound Understand bird behavior and learn gardening tips that will bring the birds to you Choose field guides, binoculars, apps, and other tools of the trade Bird Watching For Dummies will teach beginners and novices how to start bird watching, sharpen their bird watching skills, and expand their knowledge.
Bird and Butterfly Mysteries: The Truth About Migration
by Bernard AcworthAs part of his challenge to the theory of evolution, the outspoken creationist presents alternative theories of bird flight and migration. In 1932, Bernard Acworth established the Evolution Protest Movement (now called the Creation Science Movement) for the purpose of criticizing evolutionary theory in scientific terms. A freelance journalist and amateur ornithologist, he took aim at the accepted science of ornithology with a keenly skeptical eye. Here, Acworth addresses topics including bird and butterfly migration, and the peculiarities of the cuckoo. In Bird and Butterfly Mysteries, Acworth presents a close examination of the science concerning the flight of winged animals. Through this analysis, he exposes errors that call into question many of the major conclusions reached by professional ornithologists. While the two Laws of Currents Acworth proposes in this volume have since appeared in other works on ornithology, he has never received due credit for their discovery.
Bird versus Bulldozer: A Quarter-Century Conservation Battle in a Biodiversity Hotspot
by Audrey L. MayerAn examination of the struggle to conserve biodiversity in urban regions, told through the story of the threatened coastal California gnatcatcher The story of the rare coastal California gnatcatcher is a parable for understanding the larger ongoing struggle to conserve biodiversity in regions confronted with intensifying urban development. Because this gnatcatcher depends on vanishing coastal sage scrub in Southern California, it has been regarded as a flagship species for biodiversity protection since the early 1990s. But the uncertainty of the gnatcatcher&’s taxonomic classification—and whether it can be counted as a &“listable unit&” under the Endangered Species Act—has provoked contentious debate among activists, scientists, urban developers, and policy makers. Synthesizing insights from ecology, environmental history, public policy analysis, and urban planning as she tracks these debates over the course of the past twenty-five years, Audrey L. Mayer presents an ultimately optimistic take on the importance of much-neglected regional conservation planning strategies to create sustainable urban landscapes that benefit humans and wildlife alike.
Bird's-Eye View: Keeping Wild Birds in Flight (Orca Wild #4)
by Ann ErikssonWild birds are everywhere, from the dry deserts to the icy poles. We see them soaring overhead, paddling across water, flitting through trees, pecking at the ground or our backyard bird feeders and singing from fence posts. Birds contribute to the health of the planet and provide pleasure for millions of people, but wild birds are in trouble. Today, almost 200 bird species are critically endangered. They are threatened by habitat loss, invasive species, climate change, pesticides, plastics in the environment, human-made structures and other animals. Bird’s-Eye View looks at why wild birds are important, why they need help and what young people all over the world are doing and can do to give wild birds a boost. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
BirdNote: Chirps, Quirks, And Stories Of 100 Birds From The Popular Public Radio Show
by BirdNote Ellen Blackstone Emily PooleOne hundred entertaining and informative essays from the popular public radio feature program, BirdNote, accompanied by original illustrations throughout--an illuminating volume for bird and nature lovers across North America.Here are the best stories about our avian friends from the public radio show BirdNote, each brief essay illuminating the life, habits, or songs of a particular bird. Why do geese fly in a V-formation? Why are worms so good for you--if you're a robin? Which bird calls, "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?" From wrens that nest in cactuses to gulls that have a strange red dot on their bills--these digestible and fascinating bird stories are a delightful window to the winged world. A foreword by John W. Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and an introduction by Gordon Orians, professor emeritus of biology at the University of Washington, are also included. Contains web links to the audio version of each story, with bird sounds.
Birder's Conservation Handbook: 100 North American Birds at Risk
by Jeffrey V. WellsUntil now there has been no single, comprehensive resource on the status of North America's most threatened birds and what people can do to help protect them. Birder's Conservation Handbook is the only book of its kind, written specifically to help birders and researchers understand the threats while providing actions to protect birds and their habitats. Jeffrey Wells has distilled vast amounts of essential information into a single easy-to-use volume-required reading for anyone who loves birds and wants to ensure they are protected. At-a-glance species accounts cover in detail North America's one hundred most at-risk birds; each account is beautifully illustrated by today's top bird artists. The text includes status, distribution, ecology, threats, conservation actions and needs, and references. A distribution map accompanies each entry. Chapters discuss birds as indicators of environmental health, the state of North American bird populations, major conservation issues, and initiatives now underway to improve the health of North America's birds. Birder's Conservation Handbook is an indispensable resource for birdwatchers, researchers, naturalists, and conservationists. Reading it will inspire you to become an active steward of our birds and the habitats we share. A comprehensive guide to North America's one hundred most at-risk birds and how to protect them Compact and easy to use, with beautiful illustrations and data organized for convenient, at-a-glance reference Detailed species accounts, including distribution maps Practical advice on conservation Information on leading conservation agencies and resources
Birder's Guide to Alabama and Mississippi
by Ray VaughanRamble through the varied habitats and remarkable scenery of Alabama and Mississippi with this terrific birding location guide. Here are all the features you need in a bird-finding guide: plenty of location maps, explicit driving directions, detailed site descriptions, and generous listings of the resident, migrant, and rare birds found in every region of each state in any season.
Birder's Guide to Pennsylvania
by Paula FordThis book takes the reader to almost 200 parks, refuges, and hot spots for migratory and resident birds throughout Pennsylvania. Details on 7 geographical regions—including 34 maps—make this the most comprehensive, statewide guide available to Pennsylvania birding sites.
Birdgirl: Looking to the Skies in Search of a Better Future
by Mya-Rose CraigBirder, environmentalist and activist Mya-Rose Craig is an international force. In her moving memoir, Birdgirl, she chronicles her mother’s struggle with mental illness, and shares her passion for social justice and fierce dedication to preserving our planet.Meet Mya-Rose – otherwise known as “Birdgirl.” In her words: “Birdwatching has never felt like a hobby, or a pastime I can pick up and put down, but a thread running through the pattern of my life, so tightly woven in that there’s no way of pulling it free and leaving the rest of my life intact.”Birdgirl follows Mya-Rose and her family as they travel the world in search of rare birds and astonishing landscapes. But a shadow moves with them, too—her mother's deepening mental health crisis. In the face of this struggle, the Craigs turn to nature again and again for comfort and meaning. Each bird they see brings a moment of joy and reflection, instilling in Mya-Rose a deep love of the natural world. But Mya-Rose has also seen first-hand the reckless destruction we are inflicting on our fragile planet, as well as the pervasive racism infecting every corner of the world, leading her to campaign for Black, Indigenous, people of color.Joining the fight of today's young environmental activists, Mya-Rose shares her experiences to advocate for the simple, profound gift of nature, and for making it accessible to all, calling her readers to rediscover the power of our natural world.Birder, activist, daughter: this is her story.
Birdhouses and Feeders
by S. Craven G. Barquest R. EllarsonYou don't have to be an outdoorsy type to enjoy birdwatching, and you don't necessarily have to go outdoors to watch birds! Set up any of these thirty cozy homes and feeders in a spot that's conveniently viewed from indoors, and let the show begin!This easy-to-use manual features clear illustrations and step-by-step construction guidelines for building permanent residences, winter homes, and snack bars for birds of many different feathers—wrens, bluebirds, owls, robins, titmice, and other species, including squirrels and bats. A list of easily obtainable materials appears with each design, along with helpful suggestions for attracting specific creatures. Most designs involve woodworking techniques; others offer simple methods for recycling milk jugs, cardboard cartons, and tires into wildlife refuges.
Birding Colorado: Over 180 Premier Birding Sites At 93 Locations (Birding Series)
by Hugh KingeryFrom prairies to peaktops, Colorado attracts an intriguing mix of birds, from Mountain Plovers to Rosy-Finches and Lazuli Buntings to Black Swifts. Birders from all over the country visit Colorado to see western and prairie specialties in scenic splendor. Birding Colorado lists likely birds at each site. A 15-page Appendix lists status and distribution of all the species recorded in the state.Take this book along as you visit treeless prairies in Pawnee National Grassland; cottonwood stream bottoms along the major rivers that rise in Colorado (North and South Platte, Republican, Arkansas, Rio Grande, San Juan, Colorado, and Yampa/Green); pinyon-clad mesas of southeastern and western Colorado; chasms, mesas, and mountains in four national parks (Black Canyon, Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, and Rocky Mountain); marshes, ponds, and streams in four national wildlife refuges (Arapaho, Browns Park, Alamosa, and Monte Vista); incomparable mountain, mesa, and prairie highways and byways. Or simply use it for a day or two during a ski vacation, family outing, or urban visit.
Birding Colorado: Where, How, and When to Spot Birds across the State (Birding Series)
by Hugh KingeryBirding Colorado is a guide to the best bird watching sites in Colorado, from national parks and wildlife refuges to marshes, mountains and canyons. Organized by region, each site description informs readers on habitats, visiting information, and birds you&’ll encounter. What sets this book apart is the extra information on bird status and bird habitat that has made it more than a mere site guide and earned a place in the Denver Audubon&’s curriculum. Inside You&’ll Find:90 site descriptionsDetailed regional locator mapsBirds listed by habitatChecklists of birds to see during the year, including their habitat and best sites listedColor photos of likely birds for each site.
Birding Florida: A Field Guide to the Birds of Florida (Birding Series)
by Randi Minetor Nic MinetorBirdwatching is for everyone. No other outdoor pursuit yields so much knowledge of nature&’s ways with so little effort—if one knows what to look for. Birding Florida opens the world of birding to the novice and expert in this complete guide to getting the most out of birding in Florida. Birding Florida includes sections on birding technology, equipment, identification techniques, birding &“by ear,&” where to view birds, field guides, optics, and other essentials to get birders of all skill levels into the field to identify birds throughout Florida. Especially valuable are descriptions of habitat, feeding, nesting, and migration—informing the reader not only about what kind of bird is on the other end of the binoculars, but what it is up to as well.Includes:GPS coordinates for each species of the top three to five locations where you&’re likely to see the bird and what time of year is best for thisFull-color photosOver 300 species