The Easy Bird Guide: Western Region A Quick Identification Guide for All Birders

by Bull, Edith Hellman; Coe, James

• ISBN13: 9780762737420
• ISBN10: 0762737425
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-07-01
• Publisher: FalconGuides

Summary

The Easy Bird Guide: Western Regionis the perfect identification guide for beginner and casual birdwatchers of all ages. The authors, all renowned experts, have carefully chosen 340 of the most common birds seen in backyards, in the woods, and near water in western North America. Detailed illustrations of each species are organized by color, pattern, behavior, and habitat, making bird identification fun, easy, and rewarding. The guide also includes practical tips for attracting and feeding birds, information about using binoculars, a glossary of field marks, and a complete species index.

Author Biography

John Bull was a field associate at the American Museum of Natural History, Department of Ornithology, for many years. He is the coauthor of the bestselling Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds, Eastern Region (1977) and the author of several other bird books, including Birds of New York State.
Edith Hellman Bull taught science for many years at the American Museum of Natural History, Educational Department, both in the Natural Science Center for Young People and in the Hospital Program for Handicapped Children.
James Coe is an artist and naturalist who is best known as author and illustrator of the 1994 Golden Field Guide Eastern Birds. He has also contributed illustrations to numerous other bird guides and to the college textbook Ornithology. His paintings have been published on the covers of Bird Watcher's Digest, Journal of Raptor Research, Sanctuary, and the Auk, an ornithological journal.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 1
How to Use This Guide	p. 1
Beginning Birding	p. 2
Organization of the Plates	p. 3
Explanation of the Plates	p. 3
Plate Key	p. 5
Identifying Birds by Field Marks	p. 6
Field Marks	p. 7
Wing Shapes	p. 7
Tail Shapes	p. 8
Foot Shapes	p. 8
Bill Shapes	p. 9
Bird Plates
Reddish Birds	p. 10
Reddish/Orange Birds	p. 12
Yellowish Birds	p. 14
Yellowish Warblers	p. 16
Other Warblers	p. 18
Greenish/Grayish Birds (Kinglets, Vireos)	p. 20
Flycatchers	p. 22
Large Grayish Birds	p. 24
Small Grayish Birds (Gnatcatchers, Tits)	p. 26
Bluish Birds (Jays, Kingfisher)	p. 28
Bluish/Reddish Birds (Finches, Bluebirds)	p. 30
Grayish Sparrows	p. 32
Brownish Sparrows 1	p. 34
Brownish Sparrows 2	p. 36
Brownish Birds (Wrentit, Wrens)	p. 38
Brownish Birds (Towhees, Thrashers)	p. 40
Brownish Birds (Waxwings, Thrushes)	p. 42
Grassland Birds	p. 44
Blackish Birds 1	p. 46
Blackish Birds 2	p. 48
Tree Clingers	p. 50
Woodpeckers 1	p. 52
Woodpeckers 2	p. 54
Swallows	p. 56
Swifts, Nightjars	p. 58
Hummingbirds	p. 60
Cuckoo, Pigeons	p. 62
Small Game Birds	p. 64
Roadrunner, Large Game Birds	p. 66
Hawks 1 (Vultures, Eagles)	p. 68
Hawks 2 (Buteos)	p. 70
Hawks 3 (Accipiters, Osprey, Harrier)	p. 72
Hawks 4 (Kites, Falcons)	p. 74
Small Owls	p. 76
Large Owls	p. 78
Geese, Swans	p. 80
Tipping Ducks 1	p. 82
Tipping Ducks 2	p. 84
Diving Ducks 1	p. 86
Diving Ducks 2	p. 88
Diving Ducks 3	p. 90
Alcids, Loons	p. 92
Grebes	p. 94
Rails, Gallinule, Coot	p. 96
Cormorants, Pelicans	p. 98
Long-Legged Waders 1	p. 100
Long-Legged Waders 2	p. 102
Large Shorebirds	p. 104
Medium Shorebirds	p. 106
Small Shorebirds	p. 108
Rock-Loving Shorebirds	p. 110
More Shorebirds-Plovers	p. 112
Large and Medium Gulls	p. 114
Small Gulls, Terns	p. 116
Further Comments on the Plates	p. 119
Attracting Birds	p. 133
Feeders	p. 133
Water	p. 139
Nest Boxes	p. 139
Shrubs and Trees	p. 139
Optical Equipment	p. 142
Glossary	p. 143
Index	p. 144
About the Authors and Artist	p. 154
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