Book News

About Parrots: A Guide for Children
by Cathryn Sill and John Sill (Illustrator)

From Peachtree Publishers:

In this appealing addition to the acclaimed About… series, educator and author Cathryn Sill uses simple, easy-to-understand language to teach children what parrots are, how they look, how they move, what they eat, and where they live. Illustrator John Sill introduces readers to a variety of parrots, from the colorful Blue Lorikeets of the Polynesian Islands to the Rosy-faced Lovebirds of southwestern Africa. An afterword provides details on the parrots featured and inspires readers to learn more.

Not only is the art is gorgeous, but kids (and adults, too) are sure to learn a lot about these charismatic birds. Recommended for ages 3-7.

About Parrots: A Guide for Children
by Cathryn Sill and John Sill (Illustrator)
Hardcover; 48 pages
Peachtree Publishers; August 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-1561457953
$16.95

Guide to Troubled Birds
by The Mincing Mockingbird

From Blue Rider Press:

The Mincing Mockingbird Guide to Troubled Birds is an illustrated, pocket field guide that enables anyone to quickly identify psychotic, violent or mentally unstable bird species. Written in non-technical language for the layman, the guide describes where to find—or where to avoid—the most disturbed North American birds.

Throughout the book the reader will discover tales of murder, assault, mental breakdowns, obesity, drug abuse and infidelity among the birds. This guide is used and recommended by law enforcement agencies and ignored by leading ornithologists.

Obviously, this is a humor book. And a pretty funny one, too, if you’re a little on the demented side 🙂

Guide to Troubled Birds
by The Mincing Mockingbird
Hardcover; 64 pages
Blue Rider Press; June 12, 2014
ISBN: 978-0399170911
$15.95

A Sparrowhawk’s Lament: How British Breeding Birds of Prey Are Faring
by David Cobham

From Princeton University Press:

Britain is home to fifteen species of breeding birds of prey, from the hedgerow-hopping Sparrowhawk to the breathtaking White-tailed Eagle. In this handsomely illustrated book, acclaimed British filmmaker and naturalist David Cobham offers unique and deeply personal insights into Britain’s birds of prey and how they are faring today. He delves into the history of these marvelous birds and talks in depth with the scientists and conservationists who are striving to safeguard them. In doing so, he profiles the writers, poets, and filmmakers who have done so much to change the public’s perception of birds of prey. Thanks to popular television programs, the Victorian myth that any bird with a hooked beak is evil has been dispelled. However, although there are success stories–five birds of prey that were extinct have become reestablished with viable populations–persecution is still rife: so much so that one bird of prey, the Hen Harrier, became extinct in England as a breeding bird in 2013.

Featuring drawings by famed wildlife artist Bruce Pearson, this book reveals why we must cherish and celebrate our birds of prey, and why we neglect them at our peril. In A Sparrowhawk’s Lament, you will learn how the perfection of the double-barreled shotgun sounded a death knell for British birds of prey in the nineteenth century, how the conscription of gamekeepers during two world wars gave them a temporary reprieve, how their fortunes changed yet again with the introduction of agricultural pesticides in the 1950s, why birds of prey are vital to Britain’s ecosystems and cultural heritage – and much more.

This looks like a good complement to Conor Mark Jameson’s Looking for the Goshawk.

A Sparrowhawk’s Lament: How British Breeding Birds of Prey Are Faring
by David Cobham
Hardcover; 256 pages
Princeton University Press; July 6, 2014
ISBN: 978-0691157641
$35.00

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(based in the U.K.)

American Birding Association Field Guide to Birds of Colorado
by Ted Floyd (Author) and Brian E. Small (Photographer)

From Scott & Nix, Inc.:

From the tiny rufous hummingbird to the majestic bald eagle, Colorado is home to more than 496 types of birds, making it one of the finest birding destinations in the world. Preserved habitats created by local, state, and national authorities have helped foster and protect nesting sites for hundreds of species, 235 of which are featured in their natural habitats, from Great Plains to Rocky Mountains, in this ornithological guide. The birds are organized by type from waterfowl to finches and appear in beautiful color photographs accompanied by clear and concise introductions, identification tips, and habitat and birdsong descriptions. The book also includes a complete state bird checklist and a directory of birding destinations, making this field guide the perfect companion for anyone interested in learning more about the natural history of Colorado and the diversity of the state’s birds and where to see them.

• 500 beautiful color photographs featuring over 250 bird species in natural habitats
• Clear and concise introduction, identification, habitat, and birdsong text
• Tips on when and where to see species
• Organized by type of bird from waterfowl to finches
• Complete state checklist, detailed state map, index, and quick index
• Perfect portable book for beginning to intermediate birders

This, the second in the ABA state field guide series, is very similar to its predecessor, American Birding Association Field Guide to Birds of New Jersey, in that it has nice photographs and good, state-specific text. On average, the text accounts are shorter and photos smaller than in New Jersey, which is disappointing, but overall it is a good choice for beginning and intermediate birders.

American Birding Association Field Guide to Birds of Colorado
by Ted Floyd (Author) and Brian E. Small (Photographer)
Flexicover with jacket; 320 pages
Scott & Nix, Inc.; June 2, 2014
ISBN: 978-1935622437
$24.95

Buy from Buteo Books
(based in the U.S.)

Wildlife of the Caribbean
by Herbert A. Raffaele and James W. Wiley

From Princeton University Press:

This is the first comprehensive illustrated guide to the natural world of the Caribbean islands. It contains 600 vivid color images featuring 451 species of plants, birds, mammals, fish, seashells, and much more. While the guide primarily looks at the most conspicuous and widespread species among the islands, it also includes rarely seen creatures–such as the Rhinoceros Iguana and Cuban Solenodon–giving readers a special sense of the region’s diverse wildlife.

Each species is represented by one or more color photos or illustrations; details regarding its identification, status, and distribution; and interesting aspects of its life history or relationship to humans. In addition, an introductory section focuses on the unique characteristics of the Caribbean’s fauna and flora, the threats faced by both, and some of the steps being taken to sustain the area’s extraordinary natural heritage.

Wildlife of the Caribbean is the essential field guide for learning about the living wonders in this area of the world.

• The only guide of its kind for the Caribbean islands
• 600 detailed color images feature 451 amazing species
• Straightforward descriptions suitable for general audience
• Compact size makes the guide easy to carry

Birders will still want a dedicated bird field guide, like Birds of the West Indies (from which the bird illustrations here are taken). But this makes a nice “sampler” guide to other wildlife like plants, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, coral, and shells. I’ll definitely have it with me on my next trip to the Caribbean.

Wildlife of the Caribbean
by Herbert A. Raffaele and James W. Wiley
Paperback; 304 pages
Princeton University Press; May 25, 2014
ISBN: 978-0691153827
$19.95

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The Owl Who Liked Sitting on Caesar: Living with a Tawny Owl
by Martin Windrow

From Farrar, Straus and Giroux:

The story of an odd couple—a British military historian and the Tawny Owl with whom he lived for fifteen years.

Martin Windrow was a war historian with little experience with pets when he adopted an owl the size of a corncob. Adorable but with knife-sharp talons, Mumble became Windrow’s closest, if at times unpredictable, companion, first in a South London flat and later in the more owl-friendly Sussex countryside. In The Owl Who Liked Sitting on Caesar, Windrow recalls with wry humor their finer moments as well as the reactions of incredulous neighbors, the awkwardness of buying Mumble unskinned rabbit at Harrods Food Hall, and the grievous sense of loss when Mumble nearly escapes.

As Windrow writes: “Mumble was so much a part of my life in those days that the oddity of our relationship seldom occurred to me, and I only thought about it when faced with other people’s astonishment. When new acquaintances learned that they were talking to a book editor who shared a seventh-floor flat in a South London tower block with a Tawny Owl, some tended to edge away, rather thoughtfully . . . I tried to answer patiently, but I found it hard to come up with a short reply to the direct question ‘Yes, but . . . why?’; my best answer was simply ‘Why not?’”

In the spirit of J. R. Ackerley’s My Dog Tulip, Windrow offers a poignant and unforgettable reminiscence of his charmed years with his improbable pet, as well as an unexpected education in the paleontology, zoology, and sociology of owls.

This sounds very similar to Wesley the Owl. If it’s anywhere close to as good, it will be a good read.

The Owl Who Liked Sitting on Caesar: Living with a Tawny Owl
by Martin Windrow
Hardcover; 320 pages
Farrar, Straus and Giroux; June 10, 2014
ISBN: 978-0374228460
$26.00

Birds of Kenya’s Rift Valley
by Adam Scott Kennedy

From Princeton University Press:

Kenya’s Rift Valley includes four major national parks–Lake Nakuru, Lake Bogoria, Mount Longonot, and Hell’s Gate–as well as many smaller areas that are outstanding for wildlife. Birds of Kenya’s Rift Valley features the 320 bird species that are most likely to be encountered on safari in this world-famous region, which runs from Lake Baringo in the north to Lake Magadi in the south. Featuring over 500 stunning color photos, this beautiful guide breaks new ground with its eye-catching layout and easy-to-use format. The book follows a habitat-based approach and provides interesting information about the ecology and behaviors of each species. Birds of Kenya’s Rift Valley avoids technical jargon in the species descriptions, which makes the guide easily accessible to anyone. With it, you will be identifying birds in no time.

• Stunning photos of 320 bird species
• Major plumage variations depicted
• Jargon-free text
• Helpful notes on what to look and listen for, behavior, and why some birds are so named

This is Kennedy’s third photographic guide to East African hotspots, following Birds of the Masai Mara and Birds of the Serengeti. I really like these guides; they make a good primary field guide for most visitors and a supplemental photo guide for more serious birders. Just be aware that there is quite a bit of overlap between their coverage. I’ll detail that further in a more detailed review.

Birds of Kenya’s Rift Valley
by Adam Scott Kennedy
Paperback; 256 pages
Princeton University Press; May 4, 2014
ISBN: 978-0691159072
$29.95

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(based in the U.S.)

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(based in the U.K.)

New Birder’s Guide to Birds of North America
by Bill Thompson III

From Houghton Mifflin Harcourt:

What a new birder needs is a field guide that shows most of the birds he or she is going to see but doesn’t overwhelm with rarities unlikely to be seen. This is that book. Covering 300 of the most common birds in the United States and Canada, this guide has just the right amount of information about how to identify birds, where and when to look for them, what they sound like, and how they behave.

The New Birder’s Guide includes easy-to-understand descriptions and maps, clear photos, drawings of common and interesting behaviors, and fun “Wow!” facts for each bird, plus expert advice on identification basics, how to get started, and how to improve your birding skills.

This guide is essentially a re-branding of the author’s previous The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of North America. The main changes are to the formatting (for the better) and about 9 more introductory pages. The species accounts are untouched, except for the occasional new photo. While this guide may still be more suited to younger birders, it would be a good choice for any new birder, young or old.

New Birder’s Guide to Birds of North America
by Bill Thompson III
Paperback; 368 pages
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; May 6, 2014
ISBN: 978-0544070479
$16.95

American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of New Jersey
by Rick Wright (Author) and Brian E. Small (Photographer)

From Scott & Nix, Inc.:

From High Point State Park to Cape May Point, New Jersey is home to an amazing diversity of bird species. More than 375 types of birds nest in the dozens of state parks, forests, and natural areas created by local, state, and national authorities, including the centimeters-long ruby-throated hummingbird and large raptors such as the bald eagle. This guide to the Garden State’s birds features 235 bird species in their natural habitats, presented in stunning color photographs complemented by detailed information on their habitats, birdsongs, and tips on when and where to see them. The birds are organized by species for quick reference, and the book includes a complete state bird guide and a directory of birding destinations. This is an excellent resource for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts who want to learn more about New Jersey’s natural history and the diversity of its birds.

• 565 beautiful color photographs featuring 255 bird species in natural habitats
• Clear and concise introduction, identification, habitat, and birdsong text
• Tips on when and where to see species
• Organized by type of bird from waterfowl to finches
• Table of excursions and birdwatching throughout the seasons
• Complete state bird checklist, detailed state map, index, and quick index

Intended for beginning and intermediate birders, this would be a great field guide for anyone in New Jersey just getting interested, or yet to be interested, in birds.

American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of New Jersey
by Rick Wright (Author) and Brian E. Small (Photographer)
Flexibound with jacket; 370 pages
Scott & Nix, Inc.; April 21, 2014
ISBN: 978-1935622420
$24.95

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(based in the U.S.)

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(based in the U.K.)

Phillipps’ Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo: Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, and Kalimantan
by Quentin Phillipps and Karen Phillipps

From Princeton University Press:

This is the fully revised and updated third edition of an acclaimed field guide to the birds of Borneo, covering Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, and Kalimantan. The result is the most up-to-date, comprehensive, and user-friendly guide to the island’s remarkably diverse birdlife. The book covers all 673 species living or reported on Borneo, including all 59 endemic species. Each species is superbly illustrated in 141 color plates containing more than 2,000 full-color bird images, which provide multiple large views of each species, including most of the sexual variants and immature forms of polymorphic species. Each plate is accompanied by facing-page species descriptions covering taxonomy, size, call, range, distribution, habits, and status. Distribution is also shown with 567 detailed color thumbnail maps on facing pages. Other features include seven habitat plates, twelve regional maps showing Borneo’s top 90 birding sites, fast-find identification plates to the birds of Kinabalu and other habitats, and a full overview of Borneo’s vegetation, climate, and ecology. This is a guide that any outdoor visitor to the island will treasure.

• The most up-to-date, comprehensive, and user-friendly guide to the birds of Borneo
• Features handy, facing-page format
• Illustrates and describes all 673 species, including 59 endemics
• Contains more than 2,000 superb full-color images, providing multiple large views of each species, and 567 color maps
• Describes and maps Borneo’s top 90 birding sites
• Includes fast-find identification plates to the birds of Kinabalu and other habitats
• Provides a full overview of Borneo’s vegetation, climate, and ecology

This looks like a good, standard field guide. One thing jumped out at me, though – it’s filled with sidebars with more information on the birds and their ecology, stuff not found in most field guides. I found myself not just flipping through to look at the gorgeous birds, but actually reading the field guide. I’d definitely want this with me on any trip to this island.

Phillipps’ Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo: Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, and Kalimantan (Third edition)
by Quentin Phillipps and Karen Phillipps
Paperback; 384 pages
Princeton University Press; March 23, 2014
ISBN: 978-0691161679
$35.00

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(based in the U.S.)

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(based in the U.K.)