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Here are a few reviews from August.

Save the Last Dance: A Story of North American Grassland Grouse
by Noppadol Paothong and Joel M. Vance

Noppadol Paothong’s article in the April 2012 issue of BirdWatching magazine on finding the five species of grassland grouse would stand out to any reader on the basis of his photographs alone. But even more than these remarkable images, a small blurb of text caught my eye. It said that Paothong was working on a book titled Save the Last Dance: A Story of North American Grassland Grouse. A quick Google search revealed the book’s website. After perusing the site, it became obvious that this would be one of my most anticipated books of the year. After looking through and reading the book for just a day, it has already exceeded even my wildest expectations. I plan on posting a full review, but for right now I’ll just let the book speak for itself.

The Mating Lives of Birds
by James Parry

From The MIT Press:

Birdsong may seem to us to be the purest expression of joy, but in fact when a male bird bursts into melodious song, he is warning off other males and advertising his availability to females. He may also engage in spectacular displays of plumage, dance-like movements, or even acrobatics (tree-based or aerial)–all as part of courtship. The female, meanwhile, assesses his vocalization, plumage, and territory before accepting him as a mate. The Mating Lives of Birds offers an engaging and lavishly illustrated account of this most captivating phenomenon in the natural world: bird courtship and display. It explains how birds’ reproduction strategies have evolved, and describes bird monogamy, polygamy, polyandry, promiscuity, and communal living arrangements. It shows us dancing cranes, somersaulting hummingbirds, drumming ducks, and the outrageously extravagant plumage of birds of paradise. It describes group territorial displays, jousting males, and phalarope role reversal (with the female sporting brighter plumage)–not to mention elaborate nest decoration and the presentation of food offerings. The book’s fascinating account of the mating behavior of bird species from around the world is illustrated by 140 vividly detailed color images. Birdwatchers will find The Mating Lives of Birds to be an essential addition to their libraries.

From courtship to fledging, this book takes a look at arguably the most important period in birds’ lives.

The Mating Lives of Birds
by James Parry
Hardcover; 160 pages
The MIT Press; August 3, 2012
ISBN 13: 978-0262018319
$29.95

Not too many reviews last month. Not that I have room to talk, I need to get cranking on my reviews.

I’ve updated the Comparison of Bird Listing Apps for the iPhone page to include two more apps – BirdsEye BirdLog and Lifebirds Journal. If you’re still looking for a list-keeping app for your iDevice, then check it out.

John Mazluff and Tony Angell, the authors of Gifts of the Crow: How Perception, Emotion, and Thought Allow Smart Birds to Behave Like Humans, will be holding a live video chat run through uStream on July 10, 12 PM PST. Tweet your questions with #chatSS before AND during the event.

To access the uStream – http://www.ustream.tv/simonandschuster