Birds of the Sierra Nevada: Their Natural History, Status, and Distribution

by Ted Beedy, Ed Pandolfino, Keith Hansen (Illustrator)

Overview

This beautifully illustrated and user-friendly book presents the most up-to-date information available about the natural histories of birds of the Sierra Nevada, the origins of their names, the habitats they prefer, how they communicate and interact with one another, their relative abundance, and where they occur within the region. Each species account features original illustrations by Keith Hansen.

In addition to characterizing individual species, Birds of the Sierra Nevada also describes ecological zones and bird habitats, recent trends in populations and ranges, conservation efforts, and more than 160 rare species. It also includes a glossary of terms, detailed maps, and an extensive bibliography with over 500 citations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780520274938
Publisher:	University of California Press
Publication date:	06/17/2013
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	448
Product dimensions:	7.10(w) x 10.20(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Edward C. Beedy was a co-author of Discovering Sierra Birds and has authored numerous technical publications and articles on Sierra birds.
Edward R. Pandolfino is President of Western Field Ornithologists and a Regional Editor for Northern California for North American Birds.
Keith Hansen is a professional bird artist who illustrated Discovering Sierra Birds, Distributional Checklist of North American Birds, Birds of Yosemite and the East Slope, California Wild Lands, A Guide to the Nature Conservancy Preserves, and The Natural History of the Point Reyes Peninsula, among other books.

Table of Contents

Foreword ix

Preface xi

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction 1

Ecological Zones and Bird Habitats 6

Recent Trends in Sierra Bird Populations and Ranges 28

Unanswered Questions about Sierra Birds 37

Bird Conservation in the Sierra 39

Family and Species Accounts 45

Waterfowl: Anatidae 45

Quail: Odontophoridae 71

Fowl-Like Birds: Phasianidae 74

Loons: Gaviidae 81

Grebes: Podicipedidae 83

Cormorants: Phalacrocoracidae 89

Pelicans: Pelecanidae 90

Herons and Relatives: Ardeidae 92

Ibis: Threskiornithidae 98

New World Vultures: Cathartidae 100

Osprey: Pandionidae 103

Hawks and Relatives: Accipitridae 104

Falcons: Falconidae 118

Rails and Relatives: Rallidae 123

Cranes: Gruidae 128

Plovers: Charadriidae 130

Stilts and Avocets: Recurvirostridae 134

Sandpipers and Relatives: Scolopacidae 136

Gulls and Terns: Laridae 147

Pigeons and Doves: Columbidae 154

Cuckoos and Roadrunners: Cuculidae 159

Barn Owl: Tytonidae 162

Typical Owls: Strigidae 163

Nighthawks and Relatives: Caprimulgidae 175

Swifts: Apodidae 178

Hummingbirds: Trochilidae 181

Kingfishers: Alcedinidae 187

Woodpeckers: Picidae 188

Tyrant Flycatchers: Tyrannidae 204

Shrikes: Laniidae 217

Vireos: Vireonidae 219

Jays and Relatives: Corvidue 224

Larks: Alaudidae 236

Swallows: Hirundinidae 237

Chickadees and Titmice: Paridae 245

Verdin: Remizidae 250

Bushtit: Aegithalidae 251

Nuthatches: Sittidae 252

Creepers: Certhiidae 256

Wrens: Troglodytidae 257

Gnatcatchers: Polioptilidae 264

Dippers: Cinclidae 265

Kinglets: Regulidae 266

Wrentit: Sylviidae 269

Thrushes and Relatives: Turdidae 270

Mockingbirds and Thrashers: Mimidae 278

Starlings: Sturnidae 283

Pipits: Motacillidae 285

Waxwings: Bombycillidae 286

Silky Flycatchers: Ptilogonqtidae 287

Wood-Warblers: Parulidae 288

Sparrows and Relatives: Emberizidae 302

Grosbeaks and Relatives: Cardinalidae 322

Blackbirds and Relatives: Icteridae 328

Finches and Relatives: Fringillidae 340

Old World Sparrows: Passeridae 353

Appendices

1 Checklist of Sierra Birds 355

2 Rare, Casual, and Accidental Birds of the Sierra Nevada 374

3 Methods Used to Determine Population Trends 382

4 Common and Scientific Names of Plant Species 383

Glossary 385

Bibliography 387

Index of Common Names 413

Index of Scientific Names 421

About the Authors and Artist 429

Editorial Reviews

"A book like Birds of the Sierra Nevada reaffirms your faith in how birding can dovetail with conservation, and in what birding can do for our collective sense of meaningful communion with nature."

Birding Magazine

"Presents the most up-to-date information available about the natural histories of birds of the Sierra Nevada."

The Union

"This book will deepen the experience of visits to the range for serious ornithologists and casual hikers alike."

BirdWatching

"A thorough, accessible text embracing a massive and diverse region of California. . . . [The book] distills wisdom from many people who love both the avifauna and the high country and will inspire many of us to follow in their tracks."

West Marin County

"A thorough, accessible text embracing a massive and diverse region of California. . . . [The book] distills wisdom from many people who love both the avifauna and the high country and will inspire many of us to follow in their tracks."

West Marin County - Claire Peaslee