This is the first statewide distributional survey of (the US state of) Georgia's breeding birds. This is a comprehensive historical record of all free-ranging bird species known to be breeding in Georgia around the beginning of the new millennium. The atlas profiles 182 species, from the sociable House Wren to the secretive Black Rail; from the thriving Red-shouldered Hawk to the threatened Wilson's Plover. The atlas is the result of a systematic survey conducted from 1994 to 2001, the massive collaborative effort of several private organizations, public agencies, and many individuals.
It offers a wealth of information critical to bird-conservation efforts and provides a baseline so that changes to species ranges, numbers, and other significant aspects of each species' status can be better understood. Each species account includes: color photograph of the bird; information on the bird's habitat and life history, distribution, population trends, and conservation status; details discussed including diet, nesting habits, life cycle of the young, predators, and interactions with humans; color distribution map showing the state's six ecoregions and indicating possible, probable, and confirmed breeding; and, graphs showing population trends.
Also included in this title are chapters on the survey methodology, results of the surveys, influence of the physical environments of the state on bird distribution, changes in the avifauna since European settlement, and bird conservation.
"[...] The San Diego County Bird Atlas is a highly regarded breeding bird atlas. When I saw how well it was adapted electronically for Google Earth (and available for free!), I thought that printed atlases were a thing of the past. I hope that The Breeding Bird Atlas of Georgia will eventually be available electronically as well, but this bound version is so well produced that I can’t imagine being without it.
A wealth of information that’s a pleasure to immerse yourself in, the Atlas will be an indispensable tool for anyone who birds in Georgia regularly."
- Grant McCreary (30-03-2010), read the full review at The Birder's Library