Behavior of Texas Birds

by Rylander, Kent

• ISBN13: 9780292771208
• ISBN10: 0292771207
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-07-01
• Publisher: Univ of Texas Pr

Summary

Whether it' the sudden, plunging dives of Brown Pelicans, the singing and aerial displays of Northern Mockingbirds, or the communal nesting of Purple Martins, innate and learned behaviors are some of the most fascinating things to observe in Texas birds. Even casual birdwatchers eventually ask, "why do they do that?" while serious birders and ornithologists seek to understand all the behaviors involved in feeding, flying, mating, and rearing young. But until now, it has been hard to find this information in one handy source. In this comprehensive, yet easy-to-use book, Kent Rylander distills data from many sources to provide an authoritative guide to the behavior of Texas birds. He begins by explaining the principles of animal behavior and illustrating how they can be applied to interpreting bird behaviors in the field. The majority of the book is devoted to accounts of more than 400 species of birds that are most likely to be encountered by Texas birdwatchers. Each account describes such behaviors as feeding, courtship, parenting, and other behaviors that are significant for that species. References to interesting and important articles from scientific journals are incorporated in the species accounts where appropriate, and line drawings illustrate some of the behaviors described.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Acknowledgments	ix
Introduction	1	(15)
Abbreviations	16	(3)
SPECIES ACCOUNTS
Loons: Order Gaviiformes	19	(1)
Grebes: Order Podicipediformes	20	(4)
Tube-nosed Swimmers: Order Procellariiformes	24	(1)
Totipalmate Birds: Order Pelecaniformes	25	(9)
Herons, Ibises, Storks, American Vultures, and Allies: Order Ciconiiformes	34	(21)
Screamers, Swans, Geese, and Ducks: Order Anseriformes	55	(32)
Diurnal Birds of Prey: Order Falconiformes	87	(27)
Gallinaceous Birds: Order Galliformes	114	(11)
Rails, Cranes, and Allies: Order Gruiformes	125	(9)
Shorebirds, Gulls, Auks, and Allies: Order Charadriiformes	134	(38)
Pigeons and Doves: Order Columbiformes	172	(10)
Parakeets and Parrots: Order Psittaciformes	182	(1)
Cuckoos and Allies: Order Cuculiformes	183	(4)
Owls: Order Strigiformes	187	(10)
Goatsuckers and Allies: Order Caprimulgiformes	197	(6)
Swifts and Hummingbirds: Order Apodiformes	203	(9)
Kingfishers and Allies: Order Coraciiformes	212	(3)
Woodpeckers and Allies: Order Piciformes	215	(11)
Passerine Birds: Order Passeriformes	226	(151)
Appendix: Species Not Treated	377	(6)
References	383	(36)
Index	419