News

Cotingas and Manakins
by Guy M. Kirwan and Graeme Green

From the publisher (Princeton University Press):

The New World tropics are home to the richest avifauna on the planet, with more than 4,000 species, many of them endemic. Two groups found exclusively in this region are the cotingas and the manakins. Few other families of birds have such widespread appeal. They are much sought after by birders for their colorful displays, unusual plumages, and, in some cases, great rarity. Their natural history and behavior offer fascinating case studies for evolutionary biologists, while the intriguingly elusive relationships of these birds are of profound interest to taxonomists.

Cotingas and Manakins is the definitive work on these jewels of the Neotropics, covering more than 130 species. These range from some of the rarest and most enigmatic birds in the world to some of the best studied of all tropical species. Many are breathtakingly colorful and ornate while some are plain and difficult to see. This stunning volume features 34 color plates by Eustace Barnes, who has observed many of these species in the field, as well as distribution maps and approximately 400 color photographs that cover all but a tiny handful of species. Complete with detailed species accounts describing key identification features, Cotingas and Manakins is the authoritative illustrated guide to these magnificent Neotropical birds.

• Covers more than 130 species of cotingas and manakins
• Features 34 color plates and about 400 color photos
• Includes detailed species accounts and distribution maps
• The must-have illustrated guide to these colorful and exotic birds

This is a gorgeous book, with both painted plates and photographs. This is easily one of the most attractive family monographs that I’ve seen.

Petrels, Albatrosses, and Storm-Petrels of North America: A Photographic Guide
by Steve N. G. Howell

From the publisher (Princeton University Press):

Petrels, albatrosses, and storm-petrels are among the most beautiful yet least known of all the world’s birds, living their lives at sea far from the sight of most people. Largely colored in shades of gray, black, and white, these enigmatic and fast-flying seabirds can be hard to differentiate, particularly from a moving boat. Useful worldwide, not just in North America, this photographic guide is based on unrivaled field experience and combines insightful text and hundreds of full-color images to help you identify these remarkable birds.

The first book of its kind, this guide features an introduction that explains ocean habitats and the latest developments in taxonomy. Detailed species accounts describe key identification features such as flight manner, plumage variation related to age and molt, seasonal occurrence patterns, and migration routes. Species accounts are arranged into groups helpful for field identification, and an overview of unique identification challenges is provided for each group. The guide also includes distribution maps for regularly occurring species as well as a bibliography, glossary, and appendixes.

• The first state-of-the-art photographic guide to these enigmatic seabirds
• Includes hundreds of full-color photos throughout
• Features detailed species accounts that describe flight, plumage, distribution, and more
• Provides overviews of ocean habitats, taxonomy, and conservation
• Offers tips on how to observe and identify birds at sea

A long-awaited guide to these fascinating, but confusing, seabirds. I can’t wait to use this on a pelagic trip in two weeks!

Cotingas and Manakins
by Guy M. Kirwan and Graeme Green
Hardcover; 624 pages
Princeton University Press; February 5, 2012
ISBN: 9780691153520

Petrels, Albatrosses, and Storm-Petrels of North America: A Photographic Guide
by Steve N. G. Howell
Hardcover; 506 pages
Princeton University Press; January 24, 2012
ISBN: 9781400839629

Peterson Birds of North America field guide app for the iPhone has been nominated for Best Outdoor App 2011 in the 148Apps.com Best Apps Ever award. Congratulations to Appweavers, Inc., as this is quite an honor. You can vote in the awards through January 25, 2012. I happen to be working on a review of the app, which will be up sometime before then.

A Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand
by Julian Fitter and Don Merton

From the publisher (Princeton University Press):

New Zealand is commonly described as “the land of birds.” Now, there is an easy-to-use guide for all those interested in this country’s remarkable bird population. A Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand contains over 600 stunning photographs of the more than 350 bird species likely to be seen in this area of the world. Comprehensive and compact, the book includes full descriptions of all native species and regular visitors, distribution maps and measurements, key information on national parks, and useful information on ongoing conservation efforts in the country. Filled with handy tips for nature enthusiasts wanting to make the most of their trip, this is the only bird guide that anyone exploring this region will need.

• 600+ color photographs feature more than 350 bird species with full descriptions
• Distribution maps and measurements
• Key information on national parks helps readers find the best spots for bird sightings
• Useful information on conservation efforts
• Guidelines on sensible behavior for encountering nature at its best

This compact “pocket guide” would be very useful to anyone birding in Middle Earth, er…New Zealand.

A Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand
by Julian Fitter and Don Merton
Paperback; 288 pages
Princeton University Press; January 23, 2012
ISBN: 9780691153513

Happy New Year! May it be filled with birds and books about them. Here are a few to look forward to.

• Petrels, Albatrosses, and Storm-Petrels of North America: A Photographic Guide
  Steve N. G. Howell
  January 3, 2012; Princeton University Press

  This isn’t the flashiest group of birds, but one I’m fond of. I’m looking forward to studying this before going on my first Florida pelagic trip later this month.

• Cotingas and Manakins
  Guy M. Kirwan and Graeme Green
  February 4, 2012; Princeton University Press

  This is an incredible group of birds that deserve a family monograph as good as this one is reported to be.

• The Bluebird Effect: Uncommon Bonds with Common Birds
  Julie Zickefoose
  March 20, 2012; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

  Julie Zickefoose is an absolutely amazing writer. When you add in her equally amazing paintings, well, it just isn’t fair.

• How to Be a Better Birder
  Derek Lovitch
  April 22, 2012; Princeton University Press

  There is no shortage of books like this, but I enjoy them, so I’m not complaining.

• The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of North America
  Bill Thompson III
  April 24, 2012; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

  The long-awaited follow-up to The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of Eastern North America, a field guide I wish I had as a child.

• Bird Sense: What It’s Like to Be a Bird
  Tim Birkhead
  April 24, 2012; Walker & Company

  This book examines “how birds interpret the world [and] the way the behaviour of birds is shaped by all their senses”, a subject I’ve often wondered about. I’m especially excited that Birkhead is the author, as he managed to turn a book on the history of ornithology into one I didn’t want to put down!

• The Armchair Birder Goes Coastal: The Secret Lives of Birds of the Southeastern Shore
  John Yow
  May 1, 2012; The University of North Carolina Press

  I enjoyed the first Armchair Birder, and expect to enjoy this follow-up as well, especially since the southeastern shore is one of my favorite places to bird.

• Hawks in Flight: Second Edition
  Pete Dunne, Clay Sutton, and David Allen Sibley
  September 18, 2012; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

  The first edition is a classic of bird-family guides. And with these three authors, I have no doubt this second one will live up to expectations.

Looks great!

It’s been kind of busy around here with the holidays and, oh yeah, the birth of our second child. Everyone is doing great, and we’re slowly getting back to “normal”. I’m slowly getting caught up with work (and sleep!), so more reviews will be coming soon. But in the meantime, here are some interesting items worth sharing.

I greatly enjoyed Simon Barnes’ How to Be a Bad Birdwatcher, so I’m looking forward to his new one, Birdwatching With Your Eyes Closed, especially after John Riutta’s review at The Well-read Naturalist. Be sure to check out a series of podcasts about the book this week.

Looking for some extra special bird books? Here are Ian “Birdbooker” Paulsen’s best bird books from the last few years.

Finally, the American Birding Association is getting in on the post-Thanksgiving deals with their 48 hour sale on membership. Until midnight (Mountain), Nov 30th, 2011, save $10 on a new membership or renewal. I’ve already written about why you should join the ABA, and this offer only sweetens the deal.

Cerulean Blues: A Personal Search for a Vanishing Songbird
by Katie Fallon

From the publisher (Ruka Press):

In her new book Cerulean Blues, author Katie Fallon describes the plight of the cerulean warbler, a tiny migratory songbird, and its struggle to survive in ever-shrinking bands of suitable habitat. This elusive creature, a favorite among bird watchers (recently seen on the cover of Jonathan Franzen’s novel Freedom) and the fastest-declining warbler species in the United States, has lost 3% of its total population each year since 1966. This precipitous decline means that today there are 80% fewer ceruleans than forty years ago, and their numbers continue to drop because of threats including deforestation, global warming, and mountaintop removal coal mining.

With scientific rigor and a sense of wonder, Fallon leads readers on a journey of more than two thousand miles—from the top of the forest canopy in the ancient mountains of Appalachia to a coffee plantation near troubled Bogotá, Colombia—and shows how the fate of a creature weighing less than an ounce is vitally linked to our own.

It’s hard to pick a favorite warbler, but if I had to, Ceruleans would be a strong contender. I’m looking forward to reading this!

Cerulean Blues: A Personal Search for a Vanishing Songbird
by Katie Fallon
Paperback; 224 pages
Ruka Press; November 1, 2011
ISBN: 0983011117

National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Sixth Edition
by Jon L. Dunn and Jonathan Alderfer

From the publisher:

For beginning and experienced birders alike, this is the most comprehensive bird guide available anywhere—now lavishly redone with a refreshed design; 300 new illustrations; 23 new-to-North America species; major updates in text with the latest taxonomy and science; range maps with all-new migration overlays; 40 subspecies maps (unique to this guide); fully annotated illustrations with field marks; and an ultra-convenient visual index on the inside flaps.

National Geographic’s flagship bird guide is essential for bird identification—authoritative, portable, sturdy and easier than ever to use—a birding bible for all bird lovers.

This new edition adds some undeniably cool features to the venerable NatGeo field guide, such as subspecies range maps, and separate colors on maps to indicate spring, autumn, and ‘both’ migration routes (first time I’ve seen that). But is it worth upgrading? Be on the lookout for a detailed list of changes and additions that will hopefully help answer that question. [Update: here is that list – National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Sixth Edition – Initial Review]

The good folks at Princeton University Press are giving away a signed copy of The Crossley ID Guide, along with a couple of signed, poster-sized prints of plates. All you have to do to enter is “like” the new Princeton Birds & Natural History Facebook page before Halloween.

Looking through Amazon’s bargain bird books (look for the “Bargain Books” link on the left), I noticed a few great deals:

• Pete Dunne on Bird Watching: The How-to, Where-to, and When-to of Birding – $4.80
  Still one of, if not the, best book on birding.
• The Shorebird Guide – $9.98
  My favorite family ID guide.
• Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Sixth Edition and Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Western North America, Fourth Edition – $7.98 each
  The latest regional Peterson guides.
• The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of Eastern North America – $5.98
  A great field guide for younger birds, although an expanded edition is coming next year.
• Gulls of the Americas: Peterson Reference Guides – $14.00
• National Geographic Bird Coloration – $10.69
  Great book.
• The Singing Life of Birds: The Art and Science of Listening to Birdsong – $6.78
• Hawks in Flight: The Flight Identification of North American Migrant Raptors – $5.60
• Birdwatcher: The Life of Roger Tory Peterson – $5.76
  Very interesting bio of RTP.
• Flights Against the Sunset: Stories that Reunited a Mother and Son – $7.39
  Stories from Kenn Kaufman.
• Good Birders Don’t Wear White: 50 Tips From North America’s Top Birders – $3.58
  Collection of tips.

At these prices, all of these books are very much worth it. And there are plenty of others, too…

FYI: these links, as with all Amazon and iTunes links on this site, are affiliate links. That means a small portion of any purchases made through them will go toward supporting this site.