Book News

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

From Princeton University Press:

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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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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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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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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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

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

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