Birds of Uzbekistan: Photoalbum
by Boris Nedosekov and Roman Kashkarov
From Hertfordshire Press:
Uzbekistan is situated in the heart of Central Asia. Measuring 448,844 km2 in surface area, it is the most densely populated of all Central Asian states. Despite this, nature and wildlife in Uzbekistan remains rich and diverse. The extraordinary Ustyurt Plateau, the escarpments of which form the shores of the Aral Sea, is situated in the North of the country, while the vast Kyzylkum Desert neighbors the flood-lands of the tugai forests, which fringe the two largest Central Asian rivers, the Syrdarya and the Amudarya. The spurs of the Pamyrs-Alai and Tien-Shan mountain ranges, which are are capped with snow all the year round, rise in the South and the East. There are also more than 500 lakes and reservoirs in Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan boasts a wide range of avian fauna because it lies on the crossing of migratory routes from Western Siberia and Kazakhstan to Iran-Caspian and Indo-Pakistani wintering grounds. More than 460 bird species are encountered in Uzbekistan because of this; and of these, more than 265 species are nesting.
Birds of Uzbekistan presents almost 200 photos of over 100 species, with 95% of the photos having been taken in the wild and being unique to this publication. Each photo caption provides the exact date and place which makes it a great guide to travelling birdwatchers.
This looks like a good resource for (or souvenir of) a trip to this underbirded place.
Birds of Uzbekistan: Photoalbum
by Boris Nedosekov and Roman Kashkarov
Hardcover; 100 pages
Hertfordshire Press; November, 2012
ISBN: 9780955754913
£24.99
Buy from Buteo Books
(based in the U.S.)
Buy from NHBS
(based in the U.K.)
I’ve decided to make a change to the affiliate links used here on The Birder’s Library. First, a quick explanation in case anyone needs it: affiliate links are special links to online retailers. The referring site gets a small percentage of the transaction total from anything purchased using one of the links. This site has used Amazon affiliate links for as long as I can remember. But I’ll now be transitioning to Buteo Books and NHBS.
So why the switch? It’s definitely not about the money. I’ve never made that much from the Amazon affiliate program – just enough to pay for hosting this site and maybe a couple books. And with this switch, I’m anticipating earning less. No, this is strictly about the type of sites that I want to support. Buteo Books (based in the U.S.) and NHBS (based in the U.K.) specialize in bird and natural history books. Yes, for the most part you can find the same books for less on Amazon or other large retailers. But try asking someone at Amazon a question about a bird book! And if you’re looking for specialized, obscure, or older books you have a much better shot with one of these two stores. Plus, they both support birding and conservation organizations. Basically, I care about birds and bird books and want to support those who feel likewise.
So going forward, I’ll be linking to Buteo and NHBS as much as possible. And as I have time, I’ll go back and update previous posts. I would encourage you to support these two booksellers. And if you choose to do it through the affiliate links here on The Birder’s Library, that would be greatly appreciated.
The American Birding Association has just published their latest birdfinding guide – A Birder’s Guide to Louisiana. If you’re going to be birding Louisiana extensively, having a hard copy is a good idea. But you can also download a free pdf version. The ABA Birdfinding Guides are always great, and you can’t beat free!
Bird Homes and Habitats
by Bill Thompson III
From Houghton Mifflin Harcourt:
Two of the best-known names in birding—Peterson and Bird Watcher’s Digest—team up to provide reliable, expert advice on how to attract the birds you want into your yard.
Which birds use nest boxes? What’s required to maintain a birdhouse? What kind of habitat will attract which birds? What does it take to be a bluebird trail operator? What does it mean if baby birds or eggs disappear from their nest?
Bill Thompson III answers all of these questions and more, helping readers to create yards and gardens where birds will make their homes and raise their young.
It’s easy enough to hang a birdfeeder. But there are plenty of other things that can attract birds to a landscape—and, in fact, birds need four essentials: food, water, shelter, and a place to nest. The more of these elements a yard has, the more attractive it is to birds.
A lavishly illustrated chapter provides ideas and inspiration for creating bird havens by profiling “Birdy Backyard All-Stars,” fifteen homeowners from around the country who have actively worked to create bird-friendly habitats.
As expected, this book includes everything you need to know about bird houses. But it also includes natural bird homes and profiles of cavity nesting birds. Beyond that, you’ll find tips on how to make your yard more attractive to birds.
Bird Homes and Habitats
by Bill Thompson III
Paperback; 217 pages
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; September 10, 2013
ISBN: 9780618904464
$14.95
Several bird apps are on sale right now. But hurry, this is only for a limited time.
Peterson Birds of North America – $0.99 (regularly $9.99). iOS only
Audubon Birds — A Field Guide to North American Birds – $2.99 (regularly $9.99). iOS, Android, Kindle, and Nook. All the other Audubon Single Subjects and Ultimate Nature Guides are also on sale – http://natureshare.com/#apps
BirdLog – North America – $4.99 (regularly $9.99). iOS and Android
BirdsEye North America – $4.99 (regularly $19.99). iOS only
Looking for the Goshawk
by Conor Mark Jameson
From Bloomsbury Publishing:
The book traces Conor Jameson’s travels in search of the Goshawk, a magnificent yet rarely seen (in Britain at least) raptor. Each episode of the narrative arises from personal experience, investigation, and the unearthing of
information from research, exploration and conversations.
The journey takes him from an encounter with a stuffed Goshawk in a glass case, through travels into supposed Goshawk territories in Britain, to Berlin – where he finds the bird at ease in the city. Why, he wants to know, is the bird so rarely seen in Britain? He explores the politics of birdwatching, the sport of falconry and the impact of persecution on the recent history of the bird in Britain and travels the length of Britain, through central Europe and the USA in search of answers to the goshawk mystery. Throughout his journey he is inspired by the writings of T H White who told of his attempts to tame a Goshawk in his much-loved book.
It’s a gripping tale on the trail of a most mysterious and charismatic bird.
Somehow I’ve neglected to mention this book yet. I’m reading it right now and enjoying it. It’s very similar in scope to Tim Gallagher’s Grail Bird
and Imperial Dreams
(except, of course, there’s no chance the goshawk is extinct!).
Looking for the Goshawk
by Conor Mark Jameson
Hardcover; 368 pages
A&C Black (Bloomsbury); June 6, 2013
ISBN: 978-1408164877
$28.95
The Warbler Guide
by Tom Stephenson and Scott Whittle
From Princeton University Press:
Warblers are among the most challenging birds to identify. They exhibit an array of seasonal plumages and have distinctive yet oft-confused calls and songs. The Warbler Guide enables you to quickly identify any of the 56 species of warblers in the United States and Canada. This groundbreaking guide features more than 1,000 stunning color photos, extensive species accounts with multiple viewing angles, and an entirely new system of vocalization analysis that helps you effectively learn songs and calls.
- Covers all 56 species of warblers in the United States and Canada
- Visual quick finders help you identify warblers from any angle
- Song and call finders make identification easy using a few simple questions
- Uses sonograms to teach a new system of song identification that makes it easier to understand and hear differences between similar species
- Detailed species accounts show multiple views with diagnostic points, direct comparisons of plumage and vocalizations with similar species, and complete aging and sexing descriptions
- New aids to identification include song mnemonics and icons for undertail pattern, color impression, habitat, and behavior
- Includes field exercises, flight shots, general identification strategies, and quizzes
Amazing book. It has a ton of information, photos, and, yes, even sonograms. I’ve only had it for a day, so I’m still a bit overwhelmed. If you want to check it out for yourself, here’s a sample species account (American Redstart) and a great series of videos from the authors going over all the guide’s features.
The Warbler Guide
by Tom Stephenson and Scott Whittle
Flexicover; 560 pages
Princeton University Press; July 7, 2013
ISBN: 978-0691154824
$29.95
Peterson Birds Pocket Edition – A Field Guide to Birds of North America
$0.99
From Peterson Guides:
Peterson Birds Pocket Edition is the latest nature app from Appweavers, developers of award-winning Peterson apps for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Pocket Edition includes Roger Tory Peterson’s ground-breaking illustrations and content from the best selling book, Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America.
Peterson Birds Pocket Edition includes identical core content to the award-winning Peterson Birds of North America app, with illustrations, range maps, bird songs, species details, and much more.
This new app takes a different approach to the “lite” app concept. Instead of including a limited number of species, this Pocket Edition includes all the birds from the full Peterson App but drops some of the features. You miss out on some cool features – like the content of additional Peterson guides and some list capabilities – but you still get all the illustrations, sounds, maps, and species account text. And perhaps best of all – it’s only $0.99!
Imperial Dreams: Tracking the Imperial Woodpecker Through the Wild Sierra Madre
by Tim Gallagher
From Atria Books:
Explorer and naturalist Tim Gallagher is obsessed with rare birds. A decade ago, Gallagher was one of the rediscoverers of the legendary ivory-billed woodpecker, which most scientists believed had been extinct for more than half a century—an event that caused an international stir. Now, in Imperial Dreams, Gallagher once again hits the trail, journeying deep into Mexico’s savagely beautiful Sierra Madre Occidental, home to rich wildlife, as well as to Mexican drug cartels, in a perilous quest to locate the most elusive bird in the world—the imperial woodpecker, a giant among its clan.
The imperial woodpecker’s trumpetlike calls and distinctive hammering on massive pines once echoed through the high forests. Two feet tall, with deep black plumage, a brilliant snow-white shield on its back, and a crimson crest, the imperial woodpecker had largely disappeared fifty years ago, though reports persist of the bird still flying through remote mountain stands. In an attempt to find and protect the imperial woodpecker in its last habitat, Gallagher is guided by a map of sightings of this natural treasure of the Sierra Madre, bestowed on him by a friend on his deathbed. Charged with continuing the quest of a line of distinguished naturalists, including the great Aldo Leopold, Gallagher treks through this mysterious, historically untamed and untamable territory. Here, where an ancient petroglyph of the imperial can still be found, Geronimo led Apaches in their last stand, William Randolph Hearst held a storied million-acre ranch, and Pancho Villa once roamed, today ruthless drug lords terrorize residents and steal and strip the land.
Gallagher’s passionate quest takes a harrowing turn as he encounters armed drug traffickers, burning houses, and fleeing villagers. His mission becomes a life-and-death drama that will keep armchair adventurers enthralled as he chases truth in the most dangerous of habitats.
After his search for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker (recounted in The Grail Bird
), Tim Gallagher sets his sights on its cousin, the Imperial Woodpecker. I’m reading it now and have found it very interesting so far – part natural history, part investigation, and part adventure travel.
Imperial Dreams: Tracking the Imperial Woodpecker Through the Wild Sierra Madre
by Tim Gallagher
Hardcover; 302 pages
Atria Books; April 16, 2013
ISBN: 978-1439191521
$26.00
For a limited time, the Kindle version of 
is free on Amazon.com. This is one of Jan Dunlap’s birding mysteries (here’s a 
