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Birds of Montana
by Jeffrey S. Marks, Paul Hendricks, and Daniel Casey

From Buteo Books:

Accounts for each of the 433 species of birds documented in Montana between statehood in 1889 and January 1, 2016.

Birds of Montana is the first comprehensive reference on the state’s birds since Saunders published A Distributional List of the Birds of Montana in 1921, and it is the only work that provides a thorough review of the status, distribution, relative abundance, ecology, and conservation of the 433 bird species that have been found in the state since Montana entered the Union in 1889.

Introductory chapters describe Montana’s geography, topography, and habitat types; thoroughly review the vast historical literature on the state’s birds beginning with the journals of Lewis and Clark; and summarize conservation issues and actions that will affect the health of bird populations for decades to come. Detailed species accounts provide a range map for selected species and summarize information under the subheadings Status and Occurrence, Habitat, Conservation, Historical Notes, Contemporary Work, and Banded Birds.

A modern account of the status, biology, and conservation of Montana’s birds is long overdue. Birds of Montana fills that need and will be a valuable reference that will increase the public’s knowledge of the state’s birds, enhance awareness of conservation issues affecting birds and their habitats, and establish a benchmark against which changes in Montana’s bird populations can be measured in the future.

155 color range maps, 73 original illustrations of individual species, and 16 full-color habitat photos.

Quite simply, this is a treasure trove for birders under the Big Sky. Visiting birders will find some interesting information – I particularly enjoy the historical notes – but a bird-finding guide this is not. Residents, however, will find it indispensable.

Birds of Montana
by Jeffrey S. Marks, Paul Hendricks, and Daniel Casey
Hardcover; 672 pages
Buteo Books; July, 2016
ISBN: 9780931130199
$75.00

Buy from Buteo Books
(based in the U.S.)

Buy from NHBS
(based in the U.K.)

The Birds of Peru
$34.99

From Birdseye Nature Apps:

This is the interactive mobile field guide version of Birds of Peru by Schulenberg, Stotz, Lane, O’Neill & Parker. Like the paper edition, it is the most complete and authoritative field guide to this diverse neotropical landscape, featuring every one of Peru’s 1,817 bird species. Every distinct plumage is covered in superb, high-quality color illustrations. This mobile version includes all of the same excellent content of the print edition plus audio for 1,510 species and “Smart Search” by color, size and habitat. It has been updated to reflect the current eBird/Clements taxonomy.

Peru’s overwhelming diversity of birds has never been easier to navigate with the new Birds of Peru mobile field guide. Created from a collaboration between the Princeton Field Guides and BirdsEye Nature Apps, this application is loaded with in-depth descriptions and easy to use interactive features, including:

• Detailed species accounts for all of Peru’s +1800 bird species
• Range maps showing species distribution in Peru.
• Songs and/or calls for 1510 species
• Gorgeous illustrations for every species, many with multiple plumages or geographic variation
• Interactive Smart Search tool helps narrow down birds by region, color, size and/or habitat
• Integrated listing to easily track your sightings as you go

Field guide apps are not cheap, but they certainly are convenient. The print version of this is an excellent field guide, hopefully the app version will be just as good. This is just for iOS devices right now. Birdseye asks: Please let us know if you would like us to keep you updated on the status of the Android version.

In Praise of Poison Ivy: The Secret Virtues, Astonishing History and Dangerous Lore of the World’s Most Hated Plant
by Anita Sanchez

From Taylor Trade Publishing:

Deadly. Powerful. Beautiful. The much-hated plant called poison ivy is all of these—and more.

Poison ivy has long irritated humans, but the astounding paradox is that poison ivy is a plant of immense ecological value. In Praise of Poison Ivy explores the vices and virtues of a plant with a dramatic history and a rosy future. Once planted in gardens from Versailles to Monticello, poison ivy now has a crucial role in the American landscape. The detested plant is a lens through which to observe the changes and challenges that face our planet.

For centuries, poison ivy has bedeviled, inconvenienced, and downright tortured the human race. This book covers the unique history of the plant, starting with the brash and adventurous explorer Captain John Smith, who “discovered” poison ivy the hard way in 1607. Despite its irritating qualities, the magnificent scarlet-and-gold autumn foliage lured Virginia entrepreneurs to export the vine to Europe, making it one of the earliest documented New World plants to cross the Atlantic, and its meteoric rise to fame as–of all unlikely things—a garden plant. Showcased in the pleasure grounds of emperors and kings, poison ivy was displayed like a captive tiger, admired by Thomas Jefferson, Marie Antoinette, and Josephine Bonaparte.

Today, poison ivy is valued by environmentalists and native plant enthusiasts who name it one of our most important plants for wildlife as well as for soil conservation. In Praise of Poison Ivy will reveal why, in its native American habitat, poison ivy is a plant of astonishing ecological value. Poison ivy leaves are an important wildlife food, and the berries are a crucial source of winter nutrition for beloved bird species like robins, bluebirds and cardinals. On a national listing of hundreds of native plants that are of value to wildlife, poison ivy ranks seventh in importance.

In Praise of Poison Ivy also explores the question of why this plant is apparently on a mission to give us humans grief, from itchy ankles to life-threatening medical emergencies. The book will examine why poison ivy targets humans, but no other species, and explain the mystery of why a privileged few are immune to its itchy consequences.

I hate poison ivy, why would I ever want to read a book about it? I wouldn’t blame you for thinking such thoughts – I would have too, before I read the description of this book. But it sounds really interesting. And – this being a website about bird books, after all – it is relevant because poison ivy is an important food source for birds. That I knew, but I’ve always been curious how birds could eat it. It turns out the answer is right there in the press release – poison ivy only affects humans. Naturally, my next question is why would that be? I guess I’ll have to read the book…

In Praise of Poison Ivy: The Secret Virtues, Astonishing History and Dangerous Lore of the World’s Most Hated Plant
by Anita Sanchez
Hardcover; 208 pages
Taylor Trade Publishing; April 1, 2016
ISBN: 9781630761318
$24.95

Birds of Western Ecuador: A Photographic Guide
by Nick Athanas and Paul J. Greenfield

From Princeton University Press:

Western Ecuador is famed for its astonishingly diverse birdlife, from colorful hummingbirds and outrageous toucans to more difficult groups like raptors, flycatchers, and ovenbirds. Here is the ultimate photographic guide to the spectacular birds of this region. Featuring nearly 1,500 stunning color photos of 946 species, this richly detailed and taxonomically sophisticated field guide will help you with even the toughest identification challenges. Species accounts, photos, and color distribution maps appear side by side, making it easier than ever to find what you are looking for, whether you are in the field or preparing for your trip.

• Features nearly 1,500 photos of 946 species
• Includes facing-page species accounts, photos, and maps
• Provides photos of multiple plumages for many species
• Helps you to differentiate between similar species

Despite covering half of a small country, this photo guide is roughly the size and weight of the “big” Sibley guide. That’s because it features 946 species (which is more than Sibley) with relatively large photographs. You probably won’t be using this in the field, but it should make a nice reference that you can keep in your vehicle or room.

For more “behind the scenes” information on this guide, here’s a nice interview with the authors.

Birds of Western Ecuador: A Photographic Guide
by Nick Athanas and Paul J. Greenfield
Paperback; 448 pages
Princeton University Press; June 14, 2016
ISBN: 9780691157801
$45.00

Buy from Buteo Books
(based in the U.S.)

Buy from NHBS
(based in the U.K.)

Hummingbirds: Volume 1 (North America, Central America & Caribbean)
by John C. Arvin

From Gorgas Science Foundation:

As the distinguished ornithologist Alfred Newton noted in 1881, “There is hardly a precious stone ruby, amethyst, sapphire, emerald, or topaz the name of which may not fitly, and without any exaggeration, be employed in regard to hummingbirds.”

For thousands of years, these dazzling little birds have captivated and inspired mankind. Hummingbird symbols and impressions can be found in prehistoric petroglyphs, deities, totems, costumes, pottery, and more.

From the world s smallest bird, the Cuban Bee Hummingbird, which weighs less than a penny, to the South American Sword-billed Hummingbird, the only bird which has a bill longer than the length of its own body, hummingbirds have adapted to live and thrive in an incredible assortment of habitats. Found only in the Americas, over 370 species range from Canada to Chile and the Caribbean islands.

In celebration of these flying jewels, Gorgas Science Foundation has worked for years to publish volume one of a two volume set of large format, fine-art books which showcase the remarkable beauty and diversity of hummingbirds. Every species of hummingbird has been illustrated in a manner that showcases both male and female, an aspect of their behavior, and a glimpse into their natural environment.

Measuring in at 12 x 16 inches in size, 216 pages in length, and containing 100 full color plates, which feature 127 species of hummingbird, this book is big, bold, and beautiful!

The first of a two volume set, this first volume showcases the 127 species of hummingbird found throughout North America, Central America, and the Caribbean Islands.

Proceeds from the sale of this volume will help go towards the production and publication of volume 2.

Wow. If you thought the days of the old-school family monograph were gone, then think again. As you can see, this book is huge and quite pleasing to the eye (here’s a more in-depth look inside, but trust me, the images on the web don’t do the art justice!). If you like hummingbirds – or large, gorgeous bird books – this is a bargain.

Hummingbirds: Volume 1
by John C. Arvin
Hardcover; 216 pages
Gorgas Science Foundation; June 12, 2016
ISBN: 9781615845149
$60.00