Birding Books

revs · **Posted:** Oct 18 3:34 pm

Guy L. Monty wrote:

Great thread Revs, excellent source of information.

I would add an oldie to the list. One of my favorites is a book I read in school years ago, and one that I have re-read dozens of times. It's "Last Of The Curlews" by Fred Bosworth. This book was written back in the 1950's, and stands the test of time as being one of the best books ever written about a species of bird. In this case, the now extinct Eskimo Curlew.

I challenge anyone to read this book without shedding a few tears and feeling a deep sense of shame at what humans are capable of. On the other hand, I can't think of another book that will give you a better understanding of the incredible life story of an individual bird. This is a great read. I highly recommend it.

oh wow, that sounds like a must read for sure, thanks Monty.
i'll definitely search for it

teekaygee · **Posted:** Oct 19 6:22 pm

this has really been a great thread...and my order from Amazon arrived today!

So far I've very much enjoyed the first three chapters of Songbird Journeys - Four Seasons in the Lives of Migratory Birds.

I also ordered The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behaviour, which I'm looking forward to reading...and one more that I didn't see on this forum...Guide to the Birds of Alaska by Robert H. Armstrong. The last one is in anticipation of a trip to Alaska next year!

Corey M · **Posted:** Oct 19 9:38 pm

There is an excellent article in this months (Oct 2007) issue of Birders World magazine about the Eskimo Curlew.
The last know photgraphs were taken in spring 1961 but there have been many reported sighting in 19 different years since then. the most recent in Nova Scotia in 2006.

Here is a link to the magazines website and the online edition of the article.
http://birdersworld.com/brd/default.aspx?c=a&id=972

They may or may not be valid sightings but who knows . the world is a very large place and only a small portion of the land has people on it at any given time.

One of my favorite reads on birds is a book called:

Eye of the Albatross by Carl Safina isbn 0-8050-6229-7 ©2002
A story about an Albatross with a satellite tracking device attached to it.

revs · **Posted:** Oct 22 5:40 pm

i read that article in Birder's World and would like to believe.
like you say; the world is a very big place.
audio/visual proof would be nice though.

on the advice of a few of you, i picked up

An Enchantment of Birds - memories from a birder's life - Richard Cannings (Greystone Books 2007)
this book was a delight to read and i quite enjoyed the short stories about birds, birding and BC. i even learned a few things too.
i admit to not knowing who this man was prior to reading this book but am glad to have made his acquaintance via this thread

Guy L. Monty · **Joined:** Dec 08 7:11 am **Posts:** 1156

Having much in common with the disgraceful circus surrounding the supposed rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, these sightings never prove to be anything more than misidentifications. Yes, it's nice to believe, but the odds that a few Eskimo Curlews or Ivory-billed Woodpeckers have survived undetected for years, are really slim. Although curlews nested in some of the remotest areas left in North America, their northbound migration route passed right through some of the most heavily birded areas in the world. If there were any Eskimo Curlews left, they would have been seen in the spring. They haven't been.

I think it's more worthwhile to put our time, energy, and resources into trying to save species which still hang on. Take Brant, Western Grebes, or Marbled Murrelets for instance. All BC Birds. All were once abundant. All have shown long term, continuing declines. Can you imagine having discussions on here in 20 years as to whether or not any still survive?

Corey M · **Posted:** Oct 27 7:50 pm

Just picked up a new book today at Chapters.

Peterson Reference Guide (Hard Cover)
Gulls of the Americas
It is a 2007 book has great plates in it and the book is laid out nicely/ 515 Pages and so many photos of the Gulls of North and South America
Has plates of Gulls in all different cycles and plumages.
isbn -13: 978-0-618-72641-7
isbn-10: 0-618-72642-1

revs · **Posted:** Nov 23 1:57 pm

some of you have already seen this on my flickr site but i thought it appropriate to share here as well since it is after all a birding book.

1st edition 1941 A Field Guide To Western Birds - Roger Tory Peterson

after reading Wild America and other books about him i've come to admire his work and passion and decided to try and find an early copy of one of his field guides for my collection.
the original 1st edition Eastern field guides were all going for big $ but the Western guides were relatively inexpensive.

it's cool to look at early birding books and compare information, bird names etc. with what we know today, it's fun to do and expands your overall knowledge as well.
second-hand bookstores are a good source and choice books may be had for cheap.

Jeremy Gatten · **Joined:** Oct 27 11:29 am **Posts:** 322

I just had a quick skim through this thread, so I thought I'd add a few more that I've read and enjoyed. I should state that I have a bit of a fascination with discovery and rediscovery of species and I also enjoy reading about evolution. Here's a few:

Hope Is the Thing with Feathers by Christopher Cokinas

The subtitle is "A Personal Chronicle of Vanished Birds" and this bird does just that for the birds of North America that have gone extinct. The book covers the life histories and the factors leading to the demise of the Great Auk, Heath Hen, Carolina Parakeet, Labrador Duck, Ivory-billed Woodpecker, and Passenger Pigeon.

The Beak of the Finch by Jonathon Weiner

This is a great book which I did mention in the thread started by Kevin about the talk by the Grants at UBC on November 20th. The book follows the findings of the Grants in their in-depth study of some of Darwin's finches and how the bill size is affected by environmental factors. It was thought that evolution was such a gradual process that it could not be seen in a human's life span, but the data collected from their studies shows the effects of evolution and natural selection occurring right before their eyes. There is also reference to some other interesting studies including a few local examples (Mandaarte Island Song Sparrows, Vancouver Island sticklebacks, and Red Crossbills).

The Ghost With Trembling Wings by Scott Weidensaul

Another book of rediscovery with lots of examples. This book is not cut up into chapters about certain species. It's been a while since I read this one, but I recall enjoying it. This book also explores the possibility of bringing back species from dead through the use of DNA. It was not possible then and it's not possible now, but I'm sure they're trying to find a way.

A Parrot Without A Name by Don Stap

This is a great read! Once again, this deals with discovery and this is what's all about to me. The book talks about expeditions by Louisiana State University in the 70s and 80s (perhaps in the 60s, too, but I can't recall) and the discovery of a handful of bird species. The writer joined on one such expedition in 1987 and he talks about the field work and the journey - it's a nice book to live vicariously through someone else's work.

One River by Wade Davis

This book takes a turn away from birds and goes into plants. There is still the element of discovery as this books deals with early ethnobotanists and their explorations in the Amazon basin. It also delves into hallucinogenic plant use and there is an interesting chapter or two on the rubber plant industry. The rubber plant industry section does a fine job of illustrating that the indigenous peoples were not "savages", but the white invading their territory were truly the savages. Wade Davis resides in B.C. and the book goes into one of his journeys with fellow ethnobotanist Timothy Plowman as they follow tributaries of the Amazon and collect plants and learn about the cultures of various indigenous groups.

Additionally I would recommend a couple authors - David Quammen and Peter Matthiessen. Both have great style and have put out some high quality books. I am more familiar with David Quammen who has written "The Song of the Dodo", "Monster of God", and "The Reluctant Mr. Darwin". Additionally, he has a of couple books ("The Boilerplate Rhino" and "Wild Thoughts from Wild Places") that put together some of his best articles from the "Natural Acts" column in Outside magazine. Peter Matthiessen, although I haven't read too much, is a very good and very accomplished nature writer. This is a bird forum, so he wrote a book called "The Birds of Heaven: Travels with Cranes", which covers all the crane species in the world and has a lovely writing style.

Jeremy Gatten
Prince George, B.C.

revs · **Posted:** Nov 27 9:04 pm

thanks for that above information Jeremy, it's much appreciated

nhentze · **Joined:** Nov 26 12:10 pm **Posts:** 32

To add to the list of books on rare/endangered/extinct birds I would highly recommend "The Spix's Macaw" by Tony Juniper. This book chronicles the real-life tale of the last wild Spix's Macaw, the deals with private collectors to try to save the species, and the problems of the illegal pet trade.

I would also second Guy's comment on the "Last of the Curlews" by Fred Bodsworth as being a timeless read, every bit as relevant now as it was when it was first printed.

And the third book I'd recommend (mainly because I don't have time to list any more) is "The Song of the Dodo" by David Quammen. IMO, this should be mandatory reading for all grade 11 biology students, as well as anyone interested in the natural world around them.

Good reading,
Nathan Hentze,
Prince George

Guy L. Monty · **Joined:** Dec 08 7:11 am **Posts:** 1156

For waterfowl nuts, and/or those interested in the history of human alteration of the environment in BC, an absolutely essential read, is "Waterfowl On A Pacific Estuary", by Barry Leach (1982, British Columbia Provincial Museum. Special Publication No. 5)

This book focuses on the historical, and modern, status and distribution of waterfowl in the lower mainland. The descriptions of what this place was like before most of it was was dyked, drained, and channeled, is fascinating. You will also come away with a much deeper appreciation of ducks, geese, and swans.

A great read that I highly reccomend, and they can often be found in used book stores for a couple of bucks.

revs · **Posted:** Jan 03 6:49 pm

revs wrote:

Guy L. Monty wrote:

Great thread Revs, excellent source of information.

I would add an oldie to the list. One of my favorites is a book I read in school years ago, and one that I have re-read dozens of times. It's "Last Of The Curlews" by Fred Bosworth. This book was written back in the 1950's, and stands the test of time as being one of the best books ever written about a species of bird. In this case, the now extinct Eskimo Curlew.

I challenge anyone to read this book without shedding a few tears and feeling a deep sense of shame at what humans are capable of. On the other hand, I can't think of another book that will give you a better understanding of the incredible life story of an individual bird. This is a great read. I highly recommend it.

oh wow, that sounds like a must read for sure, thanks Monty.
i'll definitely search for it

hey, i just wanted to mention that i did finally track down a copy of this book on ebay and finished reading it mere moments ago.
it's one of those gripping books that keeps you turning pages, yet never hoping it will end.
this book really moved me.
it's a sad, extremely well-written story that really emphasizes that hardships and incredible feats of endurance migrating birds go through.
told through a "first bird" perspective and interspersed with historical articles, one is hard-pressed not to feel at least a twinge at sorrow at the end of the story.
i know i did.

revs · **Posted:** Jan 29 8:03 pm

I finally finished it

what I finished was The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior - illustrated by David Allen Sibley (2001 Chanticleer Press).
A big book full of beautiful illustrations and incredibly concise text by over 45 renowned experts in their fields of study that was easy to understand, entertaining and most importantly informative.

I'm one of those people that tend to become obsessed with whatever venture they pursue and have to "know everything" about it, as soon as possible :lol:

that's why I just had to read this 550+ page book as i knew it would tell me a little something about bird biology (including how birds' bodies work, behavior, evolution, habitats and conservation) and also the Bird Families of North America.
You see, typically, there has always been some new thing for me to go crazy about and my friends laugh when they listen to me talk about birding because they have heard it all before.
These days they ask me if i'm still going out bird-watching because by now i must be getting bored but that's not the case, not this time.
Birding is a lifetime pursuit and the world is full of birds for those adventurous enough or one can spend a lifetime just looking at the birds in their backyard.
They are that fascinating.

I'm not sure just how much of all the details stuck in my cranium but i did take my time reading it and now know a little bit more about the creatures I've chosen to devote my (and my wife's) free time to.

a little bird knowledge is a good thing i think.

birdterp · **Joined:** Feb 23 11:22 pm **Posts:** 73

Here’s a book to get you in the mood for Valentine’s Day.
Birds Do It,Too: The Amazing Sex Life of Birds by Kit and George Harrison.

It doesn’t seem to matter if humans participate in it, fantasize about it, or revile it birds do it. Everything from monogamy to cuckolding, masturbation to prostitution, homosexuality, ménage a trois, and mixed race marriages – if it’s taboo birds do it. Or at least that’s the take in the book. There are about 40 short, easy to read chapters describing various behaviours related to mating and sex. Admittedly it’s written in a way that anthropomorphizes all of the bird behaviour observed, but they are all real observations. And with mating season on it’s way it gives you some ideas about what you might be seeing. Come to think of it there isn’t a chapter on voyeurism, but I guess that’s our job isn’t it?

revs · **Posted:** Feb 14 10:33 am

thanks for the contribution birdterp, i'll be on the lookout for that one

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