The Birder's Library

The Shorebirds of North America: A Natural History and Photographic Celebration

Grant McCreary — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 23:46:00 +0000

The Shorebirds of North America: A Natural History and Photographic Celebration
by Pete Dunne and Kevin T. Karlson

More than half a century has passed since the publication of The Shorebirds of North America, Peter Matthiessen’s masterful natural history of what is arguably the world’s most amazing and specialized bird group. In the intervening decades, our knowledge about these birds has grown significantly, as have the threats to their populations and habitats. Pete Dunne and Kevin Karlson celebrate Matthiessen’s classic book with this updated and expanded natural history of North American shorebirds. This elegantly written book begins by introducing readers to the unrivaled splendor of shorebirds and goes on to cover topics ranging from their biology and habitats to courtship and breeding, flight, the perils of migration, and conservation. Detailed accounts convey the richness and variety of the five family groups, with incisive, fact-filled descriptions of all 52 species of shorebirds known to breed in North America.

Featuring hundreds of breathtaking images by Karlson and other photographers and drawing on the latest science, The Shorebirds of North America is a worthy tribute to Matthiessen’s enduring work and an indispensable reference for bird lovers everywhere.

The original Shorebirds was a landmark in bird book history. Like its predecessor, this iteration is full of interesting information and a pleasure to read (with Dunne’s involvment, how could it be otherwise?). The illustrations are very different, however. Robert Verity Clem’s frame-worthy, full-page plates were glorious. The photographs here don’t have the same visual impact, but they are still great and can show a range of behaviors and aspects that were impossible in the previous format. This is a worthy successor and absolutely recommended.

The Shorebirds of North America: A Natural History and Photographic Celebration
by Pete Dunne and Kevin T. Karlson
Hardcover; 304 pages
Princeton University Press; June 25, 2024
ISBN: 9780691220956
$35.00

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New Book: Field Guide to North American Flycatchers: Kingbirds and Myiarchus

Grant McCreary — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 02:37:59 +0000

Field Guide to North American Flycatchers: Kingbirds and Myiarchus
by Cin-Ty Lee; Illustrated by Andrew Birch

From Princeton University Press:

The identification of flycatchers can be a daunting challenge for even the most seasoned birder. The Field Guide to North American Flycatchers series takes bird identification to an entirely new level by training readers to observe subtle differences in structure, color patterns, and vocalizations before delving into the finer details of a particular species.

Because the plumages of flycatchers are so similar, this innovative guide uses illustrations that highlight slight variations among species that photos often miss. One of the last frontiers of bird identification is now accessible to everyone—once one knows what to look for.

Uses a holistic approach that makes flycatcher identification possible even for beginners

Features a wealth of beautiful illustrations that depict every species in North America

Shows how to observe subtle differences in structure, plumage contrasts, and vocalizations, which together create a distinctive overall impression of the bird

Includes detailed audio spectrograms and seasonal distribution maps for each species

Shares invaluable tips for successful identification in all kinds of field settings

Compact and field-friendly—the ideal travel companion for any birder

This guide is dedicated to kingbirds and Myiarchus flycatchers. Combined with the first volume in this identification series, which focuses on Empidonax flycatchers and pewees, these companion guides are the most comprehensive and accessible treatments of flycatcher identification to date.

Kingbirds and Myiarchus flycatchers are an underappreciated identification challenge, at least compared to their Empidonax relatives. But this new book, just like its companion guide, is an excellent resource. Just get it!

Field Guide to North American Flycatchers: Kingbirds and Myiarchus
by Cin-Ty Lee; Illustrated by Andrew Birch
Flexicover; 200 pages
Princeton University Press; April 9, 2024
ISBN: 9780691240640
$19.95

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New Book: Birds of China

Grant McCreary — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 17:09:32 +0000

Birds of China
by Liu Yang and Chen Shuihua

From Princeton University Press:

China is home to some of the most spectacular birdlife to be found anywhere in the world. This richly illustrated field guide covers every species found throughout the region, including numerous endemic and globally threatened species. Detailed species accounts cover everything from biometrics and habitat to behavior, distribution, and voice, and each one comes with illustrations of the species and a color distribution map. A landmark achievement, Birds of China is the ideal companion for travelers to China and a must for any birder’s bookshelf.

The first complete English-language field guide to China’s wondrously diverse birdlife

Covers nearly 1,500 species, including endemics and threatened birds

Features a wealth of breathtaking color plates painted by leading Chinese artists

Includes some 4,000 images that illustrate every species

Discusses China’s geography and zoogeography

Shares invaluable advice on birding practices and ethics

This is a brick of a book, but that’s to be expected when it covers nearly 1500 species, and in a nice format that doesn’t smoosh them all together! This is definitely a must-have for any China birding.

Birds of China
by Liu Yang and Chen Shuihua
Flexicover; 672 pages
Princeton University Press; January 16, 2024
ISBN: 9780691237527
$39.95

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New Book: Terns of North America: A Photographic Guide

Grant McCreary — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 21:41:08 +0000

Terns of North America: A Photographic Guide
by Cameron Cox

From Princeton University Press:

This is the essential identification guide to the terns, noddies, and skimmers of North America. Covering every species and featuring hundreds of high-quality color images, this book is the ideal companion for anyone interested in this charismatic but sometimes challenging group of seabirds. Detailed species accounts describe the size of each bird as it appears in the field along with structure, behavior, flight style, vocalizations, subspecies, and North American and worldwide ranges. An incisive introduction lays out a remarkably simple approach to identification that focuses on key elements and addresses how to avoid getting bogged down in the variability of appearance. This state-of-the-art guide also provides additional in-depth coverage of the two most challenging groups of terns, Sterna terns and crested terns, aiding field identification while also highlighting the beauty and elegance of these marvelous seabirds.

Features more than 325 stunning color photos, with side-by-side comparisons of similar species throughout

Includes detailed captions for each image that describe age and key identification traits

Covers 19 species found in North America, including the most frequent vagrants

Presents a unique, simplified approach to field identification

Explains the fundamentals of molts, plumages, and hybridization

Provides in-depth coverage of Sterna terns and crested terns

It’s been almost 30 years(!) since the last guide to North American terns was published. So this was a group due for a new treatment, and it is treated well in this guide. The plethora of photos are great, and everything is laid out very well. This is a nice addition (or upgrade) to your collection of family guides.

Terns of North America: A Photographic Guide
by Cameron Cox
Paperback; 208 pages
Princeton University Press; October 24, 2023
ISBN: 9780691161877
$27.95

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New Book: The Birds That Saved Me

Grant McCreary — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 17:43:02 +0000

The Birds That Saved Me
by J. P. Steed

From Ghow Press:

Jason Steed and his family were already struggling with some hard things in March 2020. Disease. Trauma. Depression. Death. Then the world shut down in response to the COVID pandemic. To cope with these hard things, Steed started going for walks to the creek that ran through his neighborhood. Then he discovered the birds. And the birds are what saved him.

Part memoir, part self-help guide, part introduction to birds and birding, The Birds That Saved Me is a richly layered meditation on life-a book about finding the good things that will help us to survive the hard things.

Steed, like many others, discovered birding during the pandemic. The short, very well-written chapters of this book walk us through this discovery while, at the same time, provide insights into the birds themselves as well as how to deal with the difficulties of life.

The Birds That Saved Me
by J. P. Steed
Paperback; 201 pages
Ghow Press; September 1, 2023
ISBN: 9781960554000
$16.95

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New Book: Rare Air: Endangered Birds, Bats, Butterflies, & Bees

Grant McCreary — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 22:48:27 +0000

Rare Air: Endangered Birds, Bats, Butterflies, & Bees
by Sarah Kaizar and A. Scott Meiser

From Mountaineers Books:

Rare Air, the culmination of artist Sarah Kaizar’s dedication to illustrating endangered fauna, features 66 endangered species of flight–33 birds, 5 bats, 12 bees, and 16 butterflies–presented in her scientifically accurate and utterly engaging pen-and-ink style. Complementing the art are informative and story-driven natural histories of each species by writer A. Scott Meiser, as well as interviews with biologists who are working to sustain some of the same species. An introduction highlights how Kaizar developed this project, while the “How to Get Involved” appendix provides helpful tips on actions readers can take to help these creatures.

Kaizar’s work informs readers about the world around them in a way that is beautiful and engaging, while also examining the environmental conditions that put these species at risk. Rare Air broadens the conversation about environmental study and inspires readers across the country to care for our winged creatures.

Stunning collection of endangered winged animals in distinctive pen and ink style

Features 66 endangered North American species of flight

Full-color illustrations throughout

This book presents a cross-section of endangered flying creatures with striking art and concise text. Its clear conservation message is much appreciated, but would be worth getting for the artwork alone!

Rare Air: Endangered Birds, Bats, Butterflies, & Bees
by Sarah Kaizar and A. Scott Meiser
Hardcover; 152 pages
Mountaineers Books; September 1, 2023
ISBN: 9781680515510
$21.95

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Two New Neotropical Field Guides

Grant McCreary — Sat, 05 Aug 2023 20:07:53 +0000

Birds of Costa Rica
by Dale Dyer and Steve N. G. Howell

From Princeton University Press:

Costa Rica is among the most popular birding destinations in the world, with a breathtaking diversity of neotropical birdlife and stunningly beautiful habitats ranging from shady mangrove swamps to mist-enshrouded mountaintops and verdant rainforest. Birds of Costa Rica is the essential illustrated pocket guide to this biologically rich country. It covers all regularly occurring bird species found in the region and features facing-page plates and text that make field identification easy. Concise species accounts describe everything from size and distribution to voice, habitat, and status. This compact guide also features progressive taxonomy and a wealth of color range maps.

Covers more than 800 species of birds found in Costa Rica

Includes more than 200 superb color plates

Features concise species accounts, facing-page plates and text, and up-to-date range maps

Its compact size and field-friendly layout make it the ideal travel companion for any birder

Birds of Belize
by Steve N. G. Howell and Dale Dyer

From Princeton University Press:

Belize is one of the world’s premier birding destinations, home to a marvelous array of tropical birds and beautiful habitats ranging from verdant rain forests and extensive wetlands to rolling pine savannas and the country’s famed barrier reef. Birds of Belize is the essential illustrated pocket guide to this birder’s paradise. It covers all regularly occurring bird species found in the region and features facing-page plates and text that make field identification easy. Concise species accounts describe everything from size and distribution to voice, habitat, and status. This compact guide also features progressive taxonomy and a wealth of color range maps.

Covers more than 500 species of birds found in Belize

Includes 116 superb color plates

Features concise species accounts, facing-page plates and text, and up-to-date range maps

Its compact size and field-friendly layout make it the ideal travel companion for any birder

The illustrations in these field guides have been pulled from Dyer’s work in Birds of Central America. I like that older guide, but it’s a bit big to carry around. These new guides are smaller and more field-friendly. I have multiple field guides to both of these countries, but these new Princeton guides will be my go-to guides going forward.

Birds of Costa Rica
by Dale Dyer and Steve N. G. Howell
Flexi-binding; 456 pages
Princeton University Press; May 23, 2023
ISBN: 9780691203355
$29.95

Birds of Belize
by Steve N. G. Howell and Dale Dyer
Flexi-binding; 304 pages
Princeton University Press; April 25, 2023
ISBN: 9780691220727
$35.00

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Birds: Poetry in the Sky

Grant McCreary — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 14:50:14 +0000

There is no shortage of books filled with close, sharp, gorgeous photographs of birds. I love seeing such photos and revel in the brilliant colors and tack-sharp details. But photographer Christian Spencer knows that this isn’t the only way to take beautiful, compelling pictures of birds. His book, Birds: Poetry in the Sky, is filled with bird photography that is rather unconventional, but also unforgettable.

Birds: Poetry in the Sky is a large-format, coffee-table-type art book. The pictures are divided into five categories: hummingbird rainbows, hummingbird portraits, birds in flight, birds and water, and birds and trees. You may be wondering what “hummingbird rainbows” might be. There’s a reason those are the first photos in this collection.

Spencer was filming some hummingbirds for a documentary when he noticed occasional flashes of rainbows in the viewfinder. When he later slowed down the footage, he discovered that in very specific conditions sunlight passing through the hummingbird’s feathers created a prism effect. He later attempted to capture the same phenomenon with his photographic camera. After much experimenting over several years, he produced a series of photographs that are unlike any I’ve ever seen.

An example of one of these hummingbird rainbows graces this book’s cover, and you can see another sample below. The birds are backlit, so you don’t get any color – except for a beautiful prismatic effect of the light filtering through the bird’s wing and tail feathers. It’s gorgeous, and proof that, as Spencer says, “there is always a different and revealing way to capture the beauty of nature.”

Even though these hummingbird rainbows only make up about 20% of the book, they are far from the only unwordly photos here. Some of the shots, particularly a couple of Little Corella flocks in flight, look fake. But in a good way – the scores of slightly indistinct white birds filling the frame in front of the wooded background…it’s arresting.

The rest of the photos, while more conventional, are all enchanting in some way, whether it be a moody atmosphere or simply a showy, colorful bird in a pretty setting. There are plenty of the latter, and you won’t find many better than the Green-headed Tanager on page 206.

Thankfully, the book’s physical size and quality reinforce the amazing photographs it contains. The book is quite large, dwarfing the Sibley Guide, as you can see from the comparison photos here, and the layout makes use of all that real estate. There is a good bit of empty white space, but it’s not problematic here as it allows the pictures to space to breathe and be appreciated. As much as I would have loved more photographic content here, trying to cram in more would have been detrimental. The matte, textured paper perfectly shows off the photos.

The back contains some notes on 12 of the pictures, providing context on location, photographic techniques, and some natural history. I really wish this would have been done for all the photos or, at the very least, that location and date was provided for every shot.

Other than that, the only slightly negative thing I can say about the book is that relatively few species are illustrated. The 140 photographs depict a total of 48 species. To be fair, for the rainbow photos it doesn’t really matter what species it is, as you cannot identify the birds anyway. As for the rest, I greedily want more to be captured by Spencer’s lens.

Recommendation

Wow. I’ve never seen a more beautiful, unique, and artistic collection of bird photography than Birds: Poetry in the Sky. It’s not cheap, but the quality is top-notch and is easily worth it for fans of either birds or great photography.

New Book: A Connecticut Yankee Goes to Washington: Senator George P. McLean, Birdman of the Senate

Grant McCreary — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 01:04:36 +0000

A Connecticut Yankee Goes to Washington: Senator George P. McLean, Birdman of the Senate
by Will McLean Greeley

From RIT Press:

Senator George P. McLean’s crowning achievement was overseeing passage of one of the country’s first and most important wildlife conservation laws, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. The MBTA, which is still in effect today, has saved billions of birds from senseless killing and likely prevented the extinction of entire bird species. A Connecticut Yankee Goes to Washington: George P. McLean, Birdman of the Senate puts McLean’s victory for birds in the context of his distinguished forty-five-year career marked by many acts of reform during a time of widespread corruption and political instability. Author Will McLean Greeley traces McLean’s rise from obscurity as a Connecticut farm boy to national prominence when he advised five US presidents and helped lead change and shape events as a US senator from 1911 to 1929. One reviewer writes: “And there’s a bonus: This book is also a love song to a distant relative. We need more historians who truly care about the people they’re writing about, and Greeley does just that.”

A political biography on this website? (Well, about someone other than Theodore Roosevelt.) But this is one politician that birders should be interested in, as he is a very important, but little-known, figure in conservation.

A Connecticut Yankee Goes to Washington: Senator George P. McLean, Birdman of the Senate
by Will McLean Greeley
Paperback; 350 pages
RIT Press; February 28, 2023
ISBN: 9781939125996
$34.95

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New Book: The (Big) Year that Flew By: Twelve Months, Six Continents, and the Ultimate Birding Record

Grant McCreary — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 19:22:29 +0000

The (Big) Year that Flew By: Twelve Months, Six Continents, and the Ultimate Birding Record
by Arjan Dwarshuis

From Chelsea Green Publishing:

An epic tale of one passionate birder’s record-breaking adventure through 40 countries over 6 continents―in just one year―to see 6,852 bird species, rare and common, before many go extinct.

When Arjan Dwarshuis first heard of the “Big Year”―the legendary record for birdwatching―he was twenty years old, it was midnight, and he was sitting on the roof of a truck in the Andean Mountains. In that moment he promised himself that, someday, somehow, he would become a world-record-holding birder.

Ten years later, he embarked on an incredible, arduous, and perilous journey that took him around the globe; over uninhabited islands, through dense unforgiving rainforests, across snowy mountain peaks and unrelenting deserts―in just a single year. Would he survive? Would he be able to break the “Big Year” record, navigating through a world filled with shifting climate and geopolitical challenges?

The (Big) Year that Flew By is an unforgettable, personal exploration of the limits of human potential when engaging with the natural world. It is a book about birds and birding and Arjan’s attempts to raise awareness for critically endangered species, but it is also a book about overcoming mental challenges, extreme physical danger, and human competition and fully realizing your passions through nature, adventure, and conservation.

If you enjoy big year tales, then you’ll want to read this one.

The (Big) Year that Flew By: Twelve Months, Six Continents, and the Ultimate Birding Record
by Arjan Dwarshuis
Paperback; 256 pages
Chelsea Green Publishing; May 4, 2023
ISBN: 9781645021919
$22.95

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