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Field Guide to the Birds of North America is a complete, compact and user-friendly guide to all the birds of the USA and Canada (excluding Hawaii). Drawing on years of guiding experience, the book is perfectly designed for use in the field.
Pocket-sized and at just 372 pages, it covers 1,100 species - more than any other guide to North America - and includes over 6,000 illustrations. Distribution ranges of all native birds are mapped, and many confusing subspecies are included for the first time in a field guide for the region. The book gives special attention to the key differences between troublesome species, with comparisons to help the reader get to the right identification.
Compact and comprehensive, this new field guide includes:
- Color-coded maps showing resident and seasonal distributions to help plan which birds to expect when and where.
- 'What's the difference?' information boxes providing easy guidance on the most challenging species to identify.
- Conservation and abundance status, with subspecies separately mapped.
- Current taxonomic order and up-to-date common names.
The clearly labelled illustrations detail plumage variations by sex, age and color morphs. Birds are illustrated in flight, in profile and in typical habitats. Concise descriptive captions highlight the most important field identification signs, including habitat, nesting and feeding behavior. Calls are described for every species.
Written and illustrated by a professional birding guide with decades of experience, Field Guide to the Birds of North America is a must-have book for birders of all ages and any level of experience.
Lichens make excellent material for field studies throughout the year and are valuable for the detection and mapping of pollution. This book provides an overview of the value of lichens for monitoring a range of potentially harmful substances.
This book is the first comprehensive guide to bird pellets, the undigested remains of food that form together into a ball or sausage-like shape and are regurgitated. It showcases the range of pellets that different bird species produce, including owls, hawks, falcons, corvids such as ravens and magpies, as well as waders - and even garden birds! The common items found in them, such as small mammal skulls and bones, are analysed in detail, with the discussion accompanied by numerous colour illustrations.
The book progresses methodically from an introduction to pellets, covering what they are and how they are formed, to instructions on dissection and analysis and how this can be used in research, followed by a closer look at the pellets of each bird species in turn - from the golden eagle to the dipper. We learn how to identify the remains of small mammals including bats, as well as reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates and of course other birds.
Dissecting bird pellets and identifying what is inside can be an important tool for discovering what birds are feeding on as part of more detailed diet studies. It is also an activity often delivered at family-friendly events or in schools by wildlife organisations. Extracting information from pellets also has sound scientific value: while it does not capture everything a bird has been eating, it still goes a long way in revealing the diet of birds and how this may change over time, in different habitats and different parts of the world.
Discover the intricacies of global forest restoration in Treewilding. Exploring the interplay of cutting-edge science and Indigenous knowledge, this engaging book navigates challenges, greenwashing pitfalls and the possible solutions shaping the future of ecosystems and our relationship with nature.
Ponds and small lakes support an extremely rich biodiversity of fascinating organisms. Many people have encountered a few unfamiliar creatures, such as dragonfly nymphs and caddisfly larvae. However, there is a far richer world of microscopic organisms, such as diatoms, desmids and rotifers, which is revealed in this book.
Through its geographical position, varied topography, particular climate and complex cultural history, Romania has managed to sustain enormously rich biodiversity. Traditional practices, which have survived longer than in most other parts of Europe, have allowed the preservation of large areas of natural habitat, little altered by human activity. All this is reflected in the breadth of lepidoptera encountered in the country - from the dazzling Freyer's Purple Emperor to the elusive Moorland Clouded Yellow, from the almost bird-like Great Banded Grayling to the diminutive Osiris Blue.
This book considers all the species (and subspecies) of butterflies known to occur in Romania. This identification guide to the butterflies of Romania is set out in a format easy to understand not only by specialists but also for the more general naturalist or butterfly enthusiast. An expansive introduction covers the various life stages (ovum, larva, pupa and imago), biology and ecology, as well as protection and conservation, and butterfly research. The next section identifies the 14 most important habitat types frequented by butterflies in Romania.
For each of the more than 200 species covered, information on taxonomy, identification, habitat, biology, conservation and distribution is presented. Each is illustrated with photographs from nature, primarily adult males and females, but also numerous images of the developmental stages. There follows a complete set of plates of prepared butterflies, displaying dorsal and ventral positions (upper and undersides) for both males and females. Finally, the male genital armature of several species are illustrated, primarily those difficult or impossible to identify using visual determination. The result is an attractive, practical and portable guide that not only helps identify the butterfly species of Romania, but also encourages the reader to more fully appreciate and protect them.
This is a book about the scientific process and how it is applied to data in ecology. We will learn how to plan for data collection, how to assemble data, how to analyse data and finally how to present the results. The book uses Microsoft Excel and the powerful Open Source R program.
Bats have long been the focus of fascination, and sometimes fear: they move faultlessly through the darkness and spend the day hanging upside down in gloomy caverns and cracks - most at home where humans are least comfortable. Bats also represent a hugely important, numerous and varied group, accounting for 20% of all mammal species worldwide. Covering their biodiversity, ecology and natural history, A Miscellany of Bats offers a hoard of insights into the lives of these creatures.
For over a quarter of a century Brock Fenton and the late Jens Rydell collaborated on projects involving bats. Here they bring together a collection of stories and anecdotes about bat research, brought to life by stunning photographs of these animals in action. Key topics include flight and echolocation, diet and roosting habits, and the complex social lives of bats. Jens and Brock also address issues of conservation and the interactions between bats and people, ranging from matters of disease to bats' role as symbols, and our fixation with vampire bats. They explore how echolocation and flight shape batkind, from their appearance to where they go and why. Overall, this book is an entertaining and personal vision of bats' central place in the universe.
Africa's surviving rhinos are seriously threatened. This timely book considers all kinds of human interactions with these magnificent and enigmatic animals, offering a significant contribution to our understanding of wildlife in the African continent.
A Birdwatcher's Guide to Norway helps you find all the birds of Norway and Svalbard, and guides you in detail to more than 350 of the best birdwatching sites in this beautiful and wild but still highly developed and civilised country.
The book explains in detail: where and when to go, what species to expect and hope for! The best tactics to approach each site, how to use tower hides and observation shelters and other animals you may encounter.
Norway offers some of the most sought-after species in Europe, including King Eider, Steller's Eider, Gyrfalcon, displaying Capercaillie, Jack Snipe, Ruff and other Arctic shorebirds in full breeding plumage, singing Little Bunting and Arctic Warbler, and many more. The country can be referred to as 'an easily accessible part of Siberia'.
Packed with 265 photos, 95 maps and comprehensive information about each site, A Birdwatcher's Guide to Norway an essential travel guide essential for anyone planning a trip to watch birds in Norway or Svalbard.
This book will help anyone understand the fun and adventures to be had working with these fascinating animals. Packed with insider information, it offers expert guidance on how to identify bats in the hand. As you learn the process of handling them safely, you will also discover the key features that distinguish one species from another.
Filling a gap between basic books and more technical volumes, this guide uses humour, mnemonics, rhymes and images as it communicates in simple terms the techniques required when training for a bat licence. Detailed images, diagrams and tables help in comparison between species, and the fundamentals of bat ecology and survey equipment are discussed. All British bat species are covered, as well as possible vagrants.
Warning: James's infectious enthusiasm for bats is likely to rub off - reading about these fascinating mammals may well become a lifelong obsession.
This book tells the story of how our relationship with nature got broken, why it matters and how to fix it. There is growing recognition that the root cause of wildlife loss and the warming climate is people's disconnection from nature, yet solutions focus on technical fixes. Reconnection considers the problems scientifically.
Most people are familiar with hummingbirds and the balletic ways in which they feed on flowers. But did you know that these kinds of relationships first evolved at least 50 million years ago? And that nowadays at least 64 families of birds include species that act as pollinators, for tens of thousands of different plants? Not only of great ecological significance, such interactions have been the inspiration for art and literature, for stories about gods and warriors, and for branding guitars and even cheese.
This is the first book that deals with bird pollination in all of its diversity. It looks beyond the iconic hummingbirds, sunbirds and honeyeaters, to assess the real breadth and significance of avian involvement with flowers. Pollinating birds have intricate lives that are often highly dependent on flowers, and the plants themselves are at the whim of birds for their reproduction. This makes them crucial players within many ecosystems, but these relationships are threatened by disease, habitat destruction and climate change. Yet there are also optimistic stories to be told about conservation and restoration projects that reveal the commitment of scientists, conservationists and the public to preserving these ecologically vital connections.
This groundbreaking study reclaims birds as pollinators. It rescues them from being mere novelties of (especially Neotropical) natural history, and explores their interaction with flowers in all its significance. These associations carry huge importance in the world's ecosystems, and are the drivers and objects of evolution. In addition, as a source of cultural inspiration, with a history stretching back millennia, they are part of the ongoing relationship between humanity and the rest of nature.
The social calls of bats are an area about which relatively little is known, with more research still required to expand our understanding. However, these calls are increasingly recognised as a useful aid to identification: they appear to be species specific and are indicative of behaviour - as in territorial activity of males during the mating season. Because the gathering and interpretation of bat echolocation data are a matter of course during research, conservation and consultancy, it is a logical progression to build momentum behind the consideration of social calls in mainstream bat-related work. A better understanding of this subject could mean that non-intrusive survey methods are developed, ensuring that what is being observed is, as far as possible, purely natural behaviour. In turn this will contribute to better interpretation and more suitable mitigation, compensation and/or enhancement solutions.
The book summarises what is understood so far about social calls of the bat species occurring in Britain and Ireland, and north-west Europe. This new edition has been updated and expanded throughout, now containing:
The material will be useful to people carrying out bat studies, at whatever level and for whatever purpose, and will also encourage others to undertake further research. What's more, social calls are fascinating to listen to: they are, after all, produced with listeners in mind (other bats). In light of this, the book is accompanied by an extensive downloadable library of sound files which offer a unique gateway into the private life of bats.
If you don't know where to start or how to use QGIS, this is the practical guide for you. Simple, step-by-step instructions and practical exercises make it easy and fun.
Ants are found everywhere from garden to mountaintop. They are at their most diverse in the tropics, but that does not make the 61 species of our part of the world any less fascinating or significant. As social insects, ants have fascinating life histories. Ecologically, they are highly important and influential. From tiny guest ants living in the nests of bigger species to gigantic wood ant mounds with hundreds of thousands of workers, there is a lifetime of possibility for study.
This second edition of Ants covers the general biology and ecology of species occurring in Britain and Ireland, including the Channel Islands. The book presents photographs and descriptions of workers for all 61 species on the regional list, together with distribution maps. There is also an account of some of the exotic species that may turn up in heated buildings. The extensively illustrated keys deal with workers, queens and males of all the species. These have been specially written and are the first comprehensive keys since those of the first edition 30 years ago. There are also quick-check keys to workers and nests, as well as a detailed list of kit suppliers and an extensive reference list.
Ants are among the most familiar of insects and can form a crucial part of their ecosystem, having an impact far greater than their small individual size would lead us to expect. This book is for anyone wanting to learn more about these endlessly interesting insects, by reading and by applying some of the methods discussed to make new discoveries.
Graham Martin takes the reader deep into the world of birds from a new perspective, with a 'through birds' eyes' approach to ornithology that goes beyond the traditional habitat or ecological point of view. There is a lot more to a bird's world than what it receives through its eyes. This book shows how all of the senses complement one another to provide each species with a unique suite of information that guides their daily activities.
The senses of each bird have been fine-tuned by natural selection to meet the challenges of its environment and optimise its behaviour: from spotting a carcase on a hillside, to pecking at minute insects, from catching fish in murky waters, to navigating around the globe.
The reader is also introduced to the challenges posed to birds by the obstacles with which humans have cluttered their worlds, from power lines to windowpanes. All of these challenges need explaining from the birds' sensory perspectives so that effective mitigations can be put in place.
The book leads the reader through a wealth of diverse information presented in accessible text, with over 100 colour illustrations and photographs. The result is a highly readable and authoritative account, which will appeal to birdwatchers and other naturalists, as well as researchers in avian biology.
The author has researched the senses of birds throughout a 50-year career in ornithology and sensory science. He has always attempted to understand birds from the perspective of how sensory information helps them to carry out different tasks in different environments. He has published papers on more than 60 bird species, from Albatrosses and Penguins, to Spoonbills and Kiwi. His first fascination was with owls and night time, and owls have remained special to him throughout his career. He has collaborated and travelled widely and pondered diverse sensory challenges that birds face in the conduct of different tasks in different habitats, from mudflats and murky waters, to forests, deserts and caves. In recent years he has focused on how understanding bird senses can help to reduce the very high levels of bird deaths that are caused by human artefacts; particularly, wind turbines, power lines, and gill nets.
The trillions of miles we drive each year are just as destructive to our natural environment as any of the better known threats, such as habitat loss or intensive farming. Traffication does for road traffic what Silent Spring did for agrochemicals: awakening us from our collective road-blindness and opening up a whole new chapter in conservation.
Cutting-edge microbiome research is changing our understanding of reality. It is increasingly evident that microbes are the very glue that holds ecosystems together. This topical and original book counters the prevailing narrative of microbes as the bane of society, along the way providing much-needed clarity on the beneficial role they play.