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A Photographic Guide to North American Raptors (A Volume in the AP Natural World Series) (Ap Natural World)

Brian K. Wheeler, William S. Clark

Format: Paperback, 198pp
Published: July 1999
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publisher info:
Whether soaring or perched, diurnal birds of prey often present challenging identification problems for the bird enthusiast. Variable plumage, colour morphs, and unique individual characteristics are just some of the factors bird watchers must consider when identifying the different species. In this authoritative reference, two of the world's top experts on raptors provide an essential guide to the variations in the species, allowing for easier recognition of key identification points. All the distinguishing marks described have been exhaustively tested in a wide range of field conditions by the authors as well as the colleagues and students who have learned from them.

Key Features:
* The only complete photographic guide to North American diurnal birds of prey
* Includes all species, common and rare
* Written by well-known experts

"No one is better at the variabilities of raptor identification than this team of two....The excellent photographs are clear and well chosen....If you take your hawk-watching seriously, buy it." (Charles E. Keller in INDIANA AUDUBON QUARTERLY)

"The 377 colour photographs are without exception truly stunning...The
plates are conveniently placed next to the relevant species account and show all plumage, both in flight and perched...The authors are to be applauded for their expertise, while not forgetting the problems of the beginner, making this book ideal for both the novice and the profession: there is something new for everyone." (Neil Hayward in IBIS)

"As a hawk watcher of long standing, I have eagerly awaited this utilitarian partner to Clark and Wheelers Hawks. First, because as a reference tool, it will be invaluable to serious hawk watchers. The information it contains is age class and subspecies specific; the format is straight forward; and the material is easily referenced...This new guide, with its employment of photos and integrated concern for the problems presented by lookalike species, will also serve the novice, saving them much time, effort, embarrassment, and...Frustration! On a global scale, there are few living human beings who know more about birds of prey than William S. Clark and none, to my mind, who know more about their identification. On the more focused subject of North America's diurnal raptors, he has few peers&151#;but one of them is Brian K. Wheeler, whose photos dominate this book...There are many nature photographers who specialize in capturing birds of prey on film. Few are as good as Brian and
some say none." (Pete Dunn, Director, Natural History Information, New Jersey Audubon Society)

"Are you having difficulty unraveling the mysteries of identifying birds of prey? If you are baffled by seemingly similar silhouettes of birds of prey,
not to mention plumage variations, then A Photographic Guide to North American Raptors by Brian Wheeler and William S. Clark is the perfect field guide for you. With this guide in hand, you will be ahead of other birders at hawkwatching hotspots." (WILDBIRD)

"I recommend that you buy two copies, one for home and one for your
vehicle." (CANADIAN FIELD NATURALIST)

"This book will change your mind about the importance of photographic
guides. You will want to use this guide. Here you are treated to stunning
photographs that depicts all the field marks that are mentioned in an informative text....This is one outstanding effort and it is a genuine pleasure to look through this book. Brian Wheeler and Bill Clark are the continent's leading authorities on the field identification of diurnal birds of prey. As such, any work that they produce should be taken seriously. They have consistently produced identification publications that have changed the entire hawkwatching world in a significant and positive manner. This field guide is no exception. It offers a novel approach to the identification of hawks in a wonderfully pleasurable environment. Bravo!" (HMANA MIGRATION STUDIES)

"For the raptor enthusiast or North American birder, this is an essential purchase....The authors and publishers have done their work well.
(Paul Doherty, in BIRDING WORLD)

"The authors have done raptor aficionados a great service by greatly
reducing the problems associated with this often difficult-to-identify group of birds." (Peter H. Bloom, Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, Camarillo, California, in JOURNAL OF RAPTOR RESEARCH)

"This excellent book is a must-buy for anyone interested in improving their raptor ID skills. I believe it is well worth the price for the high-quality photos alone, but careful review of the test also reveals a wealth of
state-of-the-art raptor ID tips that have been field tested by the authors."
(Ned Harris in BIRDING)

"Never have I seen a photograph better capture the essence of a birds
appearance in flight than the wonderful color photograph of a rough-legged hawk gracing the cover of A Photographic Guide to North American Raptors, by Brian K. Wheeler and William S. Clark...This book, published by Academic Press, is filled with such images of birds of prey. The pictures are carefully picked, not just for the aesthetic quality that is virtually inevitable for any good photographs of raptors, but to greatly assist birders in the identification of this sometimes bewildering array of birds. Its a great gift for naturalists."
(Barry Kent Mackay in THE TORONTO STAR)

"For the raptor enthusiast or North American birder, this is an essential purchase. The authors and publishers have done their work well."
(Paul Doherty in BIRDING WORLD)

"The authors have done raptor aficionados a great service by greatly
reducing the problems associated with this often difficult-to-identify group of birds." (Peter H. Bloom in JOURNAL of RAPTOR RESEARCH)