Seashore and Wading Birds of Florida - Softcover

Pope, Patricia E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0820009032 ISBN 13: 9780820009032

Publisher: Great Outdoors Publishing Company, 1974

Synopsis

A handy-sized guide to over 110 species of waterside birds, the showiest in Florida. Every bird is pictured in color, with an accompanying description which details size, range, habitat, identifying characteristics and name origin. Truly an uncomplicated guide for a fascinating pastime of bird watching.

About this title

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Florida has long been known for its wildlife, especially its birds. Were you to take on seriously the task of sighting and identifying birds found in Florida, your count would exceed 400. This would include birds classified as year-round residents, summer or winter visitors, migratory species just passing through Florida, and the casual visitor - migrants that stray into Florida in small groups. About a quarter of the total number of birds are the wading and seashore birds, perhaps the showiest birds in Florida. You'll find that your ability to identify the shorebirds - especially the smaller sandpipers - improves each time you go birding. Each bird has its own characteristic flight, walk, posture, color, size, song, shape and habitat. Actually identifying birds is a little like riding a bike; it's half instructions and half practice. There are, however, some factors that will help you get close enough to birds to identify them. Wear drab clothing. Move slowly towards the birds, in a zig-zag pat tern, if possible. Keep the sun at your back, so it's in the birds' eyes, not yours. (Just in case you can't manage this, keep a pair of sunglasses in your pocket.) Go birding either in the early morning or late evening. This way, you can sit on the shore near a group of birds; as they forget you're there, they'll begin to feed closer to you. Mosquitoes and gnats won't bother you if you coat exposed areas with an insect repellent. Any well-known brand will do. Carry this book with you, along with a pair of binoculars and perhaps a notebook with pencil. This last item will enable you to take notes on what you see. You may well notice something no one has ever noticed before. After a while, you'll be able to predict - with a fair degree of accuracy - what sort of birds you'll see in a given place, time of day, season and weather conditions. You'll be able to record unusual color phases; albinistic (white plumage with pink eyes) or melanistic (exceptionally dark plumage with dark eyes) birds are quite rare. One final tip: check with your newspaper or library for information on the local branch of the Audubon Society. The field trips sponsored by this group will do a great deal towards helping you identify birds as well as providing you with good birding areas.

About this edition

• Publisher: Great Outdoors Publishing Company
• Publication date: 1974
• ISBN 10: 0820009032
• ISBN 13: 9780820009032
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 44