Neotropical Migratory Birds: Natural History, Distribution, and Population Change / Edition 1

by Richard DeGraaf, John Rappole

Overview

Thrushes, warblers, vireos, and tanagers are probably the most familiar of the Neotropical migrants—birds that breed in the United States and Canada, then journey to spend the winter in the Caribbean, Mexico, or southward. But this extraordinary group actually comprises a large number of diverse species, including waterfowl, shorebirds, terns, hawks, flycatchers, and hummingbirds. In their compendious review of information on these birds, Richard M. DeGraaf and John H. Rappole illuminate the need for a thorough understanding of the ecology of each species, one that extends throughout the entire life cycle. The authors argue convincingly that conservation efforts must be based on such an understanding and carried out across a species' range—not limited to the breeding grounds.

This book is the first to summarize in one volume much-needed practical data about the distribution and breeding habitat requirements of migratory birds in North and South America. The body of the book consists of natural history accounts of more than 350 species of Neotropical migrants, including a brief description of each bird's range, status, habitats on breeding grounds, nest site, and wintering areas. The authors provide a complete range map of each species' distribution in the Western Hemisphere as well as notes on the distribution—basic data that until recently have largely been unavailable in usable form to ornithologists and land and resource managers. An appendix lists species that are increasing or decreasing at significant rates in various physiographic regions of North America.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801482656
Publisher:	Cornell University Press
Publication date:	02/15/1996
Series:	Comstock Book Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	560
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.52(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Richard M. DeGraaf is Chief Research Wildlife Biologist, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Amherst, Massachusetts. John H. Rappole is Research Coordinator at the National Zoological Park Conservation and Research Center, Front Royal, Virginia.

Editorial Reviews

Detailed distribution maps.... Provides useful information on range, status, habitat preferences, and special habitat requirements.... Informative tables.... An important library book.

Northeastern Naturalist

Detailed distribution maps.... Provides useful information on range, status, habitat preferences, and special habitat requirements.... Informative tables.... An important library book.

-- "Northeastern Naturalist"

From the Publisher

Summarizes practical data about the distribution and breeding habitat requirements of migratory birds in North and South America, with natural history accounts of some 350 species of Neotropical migrants. Entries include a brief description of each bird's range, status, habits on breeding grounds, nest sites, and wintering areas, plus distribution maps. An appendix lists species that are increasing or decreasing at significant rates in various regions of North America. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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