A Photographic Guide to North American Raptors - Hardcover

Brian K. Wheeler; William S. Clark

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0127455302 ISBN 13: 9780127455303

Publisher: Princeton University Press, 1995

Synopsis

Whether soaring or perched, diurnal birds of prey often present challenging identification problems for the bird enthusiast. Variable plumage, color morphs, and unique individual characteristics are just some of the factors bird watchers must consider when identifying the different species. In this authoritative reference, two of the world's top experts on raptors provide an essential guide to the variations in the species, allowing for easier recognition of key identification points. All the distinguishing marks described have been exhaustively tested in a wide range of field conditions by the authors as well as the colleagues and students who have learned from them.


Key Features?

• The only complete photographic guide to North American diurnal birds of prey


• Includes all species, common and rare


• Written by well-known experts


• Contains 365 photographs, each with an explanatory caption and supporting text describing all 43 species of diurnal raptors found in North America


• Features 14 discussions of specific problems in practical identification


• Complete set showing every plumage


• Raptor I.D. problem section showing similar species side by side

Species List:
Turkey Vulture. Black Vulture. California Condor. Osprey. Hook-billed Kite. Swallow-tailed Kite. White-tailed Kite. Snail Kite. Mississippi Kite. Bald Eagle. Northern Harrier. Sharp-shinned Hawk. Cooper's Hawk. Northern Goshawk. Common Black Hawk. Harris' Hawk. Gray Hawk. Red-shouldered Hawk. Broad-winged Hawk. Short-tailed Hawk. Swainson's Hawk. White-tailed Hawk. Zone-tailed Hawk. Red-tailed Hawk. Ferruginous Hawk. Rough-legged Hawk. Golden Eagle. Crested Caracara. American Kestrel. Merlin. Aplomado Falcon. Gyrfalcon. Peregrine. Prairie Falcon. Crane Hawk. Roadside Hawk. Hawaiian Hawk. Red-backed Hawk. Steller's Sea Eagle. White-tailed Eagle. Collared Forest Falcon. Northern Hobby. Common Kestrel.

About this title

Review

Considered the definitive raptor identification guide for North America, this essential resource for birders includes photos and text for distinguishing between hawks, falcons, eagles, and vultures in the field, paying careful attention to plumage variations in juveniles and adults.

From the Back Cover

Whether soaring or perched, diurnal birds of prey are difficult to identify. They vary in plumage, according to age, race, color morph, or even individual differences. This along with the difficulties of field conditions - fleeting glimpses, poor light, and extreme range - have combined to make correct positive ID the realm of the expert birder.
But now help is at hand for the average birder. Field marks do exist that are definitive for all raptor species, despite plumage variability. Moreover, these marks can be seen quickly and under most viewing conditions. In this book two of North America's most experienced raptor identification experts provide the essential guide to these field marks, as well as showing the range of plumage variation. This guide will help you to sort out the important points from the background of confusing and irrelevant detail. All of these distinguishing features have been extensively field tested by the authors and their colleagues and students, and they all work.
Raptor watching is fun; their ID is a challenge. Here is the key to developing your own skills.

Edition details

• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0127455302
• ISBN 13: 9780127455303
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 198