Peterson Reference Guide To Molt In North American Birds

To most observers, molt seems an overwhelming subject. But birders use many aspects of molt more than they realize—to distinguish juvenile birds from adults, to pick out an individual hummingbird from among dozens visiting a feeder, and much more.

And for those whose interest goes beyond simply identifying birds, questions such as What triggers molt to start? How fast do feathers grow? and How long do they last? offer a fascinating window into the lives of birds. Put plainly, molt relates in some way to everything a bird does, including where it lives, what it eats, and how far it migrates.

Here, for the first time, molt is presented for the nonscientist. Molt is very orderly and built on only four underlying strategies: simple basic, complex basic, simple alternate, and complex alternate. This book clearly lays out these strategies, relates them to aspects of life history, such as habitat and migration, and makes this important subject accessible.

 

STEVE N. G. HOWELL is an international bird tour leader with WINGS and a popular speaker and trip leader at birding festivals. He has been watching birds for as long as he can remember.  Steve has authored numerous books and articles, mainly about birds, and the common thread to his life is that birding should be fun.