The Book of North American Birds is a beautifully illustrated and comprehensive guide to more than 600 species of birds that spend at least part of the year on the North American continent.
More than any other kind of wildlife, birds have a strong hold on the human imagination. The Book of North American Birds celebrates the hundreds of species that spend at least part of the year in the United States or Canada. It includes some 600 species in all and the 8 chapters are organized by type and habitat. Each page features a full-colour painting, usually of a male in breeding plumage, since the male is more colourful than the female, accompanied by a brief narrative focusing on key aspects of the bird in the wild. At the bottom of each page is information for quick reference, with details on identification, habitat, nesting, and food. In addition, a drawing highlights a particular point of interest about the species, and a colour-coded range map shows where it can be found. The illustrations and paintings are from some of the most renowned wildlife artists in the field, such as H. Douglas Pratt, Ray Harris-Ching, and Albert Earl Gilbert.