Helps birders and biologists navigate the pitfalls of raptor identification, including raptors' often extreme variation by age and sex as well as the existence of numerous "confusion" species. This work discusses plumage variations and covers various aspects of raptor biology. It also provides information available on status and distribution.
Foreword by Clayton M. White ix Preface xi Acknowledgments xiii Abbreviations xv Chapter I Introduction 1 Key to Maps 9 Chapter II Genral Glossary 10 Chapter III Anatomy and Feather Glossary 15 Chapter IV Plumage, Molt, and Age Glossary 20 Chapter V Flying and Perching Displays Glossary 24 Chapter VI Perching and Flying Attitudes 28 Chapter VII Photography 33 "Raptor Music" a poem by Steve Millard 35 SPECIES ACCOUNTS Black Vulture 39 Turkey Vulture 47 California Condor 57 Osprey 57 Swallow-tailed Kite 68 White-tailed Kite 78 Snail Kite 85 Mississippi Kite 100 Bald Eagle 118 Northern Harrier 145 Cooper's Hawk 179 Sharp-shinned Hawk 158 Northern Goshawk 193 Red-shouldered Hawk 195 Broad-winged Hawk 208 Short-tailed Hawk 228 Swainson's Hawk 228 Red-tailed Hawk 253 Ferruginous Hawk 296 Rough-legged Hawk 311 Golden Eagle 332 Crested Eagle 345 American Kestrel 350 Merlin 361 Peregrine Falcon 374 Gyrfalcon 403 Prairie Falcon 418 Bibliography 429 Index 439
Brian K. Wheeler is illustrator, a coauthor, and a photographer of "Hawks of North America" and a coauthor and a photographer of "A Photographic Guide to North American Raptors".
These two books are major contributions to the literature of North American vultures and Falconiform raptors... Both Wheeler books should be owned by every hawk watcher and raptor biologist. - Donald S. Heintzelman International Hawkwatcher.
An important addition to your library. Dowdell, New Jersey Audubon.
This a wonderful book... It is the most thorough guide to this group of North American birds you can purchase. - Roy John Canadian Field-Naturalist.