Roger Tory Peterson had already made his mark with his innovative field guide when he conducted DDT research during World War II. His friend and fellow naturalist Rachel Carson built on these efforts and eventually wrote Silent Spring, a landmark text that, along with Peterson's field guide, jump-started the modern environmental movement.

By combining the tireless observation of a scientist with the imaginative skills of an artist and writer, Peterson created a field guide that Robert Bateman, in his foreword to the fifth edition, says was the doorway for millions of people into the wonderland of natural history.

The Peterson Identification System has been used in the more than fifty books that make up the Peterson Field Guide series. Peterson's magnum opus, now in its fifth edition, created the trail for countless field guides to follow. They are still following year by year, but his is the standard by which all other field guides are judged.

On the morning of July 28, 1996, Roger Peterson was painting his final bird plate. He died peacefully in his sleep later that day. It is fitting that his final work—a culmination of more than sixty years of observing, painting, and writing—should be this one, a revision of the guide that started his legacy.

A guide featuring the Peterson Identification System collects more than sixty years of observations, paintings, and writings to detail the birds of eastern and central North America.

Peterson's magnum opus, now in its fifth edition, created the trail for countless field guides to follow. This is a culmination of more than 60 years of observing, painting, and writing about the fine-feathered friends who take to the air. 153 photos.

Virginia Marie Peterson worked with her husband, Roger Tory Peterson, to research and create three-color range maps for several books in The Peterson Field Guide Series(R).Roger Tory Peterson, one of the world"s greatest naturalists, received every major award for ornithology, natural science, and conservation, as well as numerous honorary degrees, medals, and citations, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Peterson Identification System has been called the greatest invention since binoculars, and the Peterson Field Guides®are credited with helping to set the stage for the environmental movement.Roger Tory Peterson, one of the world"s greatest naturalists, received every major award for ornithology, natural science, and conservation, as well as numerous honorary degrees, medals, and citations, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Peterson Identification System has been called the greatest invention since binoculars, and the Peterson Field Guides®are credited with helping to set the stage for the environmental movement.

Map of Area Covered by This Book ii

Foreword xi

Preface xvii

Acknowledgments xix

Introduction 1

Life List 14

Loons: Gaviidae 26

Grebes: Podicipedidae 28

Shearwaters: Procellariidae 30

Storm-Petrels: Hydrobatidae 34

Casual or Accidental Seabirds and Coastal Species 34

Pelicans: Pelecanidae 38

Frigatebirds: Fregatidae 38

Gannets, Boobies: Sulidae 40

Tropicbirds: Phaethontidae 40

Cormorants: Phalacrocoracidae 42

Anhingas: Anhingidae 42

Loons in Flight 44

Cormorants in Flight 44

Herons, Egrets, Bitterns: Ardeidae 46

Limpkins: Aramidae 52

Ibises and Spoonbills: Threskiornithidae 52

Flamingoes: Phoenicopteridae 54

Storks: Ciconiidae 56

Cranes: Gruidae 56

Accidental Long-legged Wading Birds 58

Swans, Geese, Ducks: Anatidae 60

Swans: Anserinae 60

Geese: Anserinae 60

Geese and Swans in Flight 64

Whistling-Ducks: Dendrocygninae 66

Dabbling Ducks: Anatinae 66

Diving Ducks: Aythyinae 72

Stiff-tailed Ducks: Oxyurinae 78

Merganser: Merginae 80

Flight Patterns of Ducks 82

Accidentals from Eurasia 90

Accidentals from the Tropics 90

New World Vultures: Cathartidae 92

Caracaras and Falcons: Falconidae 92

Caracaras: Caracarinae 92

Hawks, Kites, Accipiters, Harriers, and Eagles:

Accipitridae 96

Kites: Elaninae and Milvinae 96

Accipiters (Bird Hawks): Accipitrinae 98

Buteos (Buzzard Hawks): Buteoninae (in part)

100

Buteos Overhead 106

Harriers: Circinae 108

Blackish Birds of Prey Overhead 110

Eagles: Buteoninae (in part) 112

Ospreys: Pandionidae 112

Eagles, Osprey, and Vultures Overhead 114

Falcons: Falconidae 116

Accipiters and Falcons Overhead 118

Pheasant, Grouse, Turkey, and Allies: Phasianidae 120

Grouse, etc.: Tetraoninae 122

New World Quails: Odontophoridae 124

Ducklike Swimmers (Coots, Gallinules):

Rallidae (in part) 126

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots: Rallidae 128

Plovers: Charadriidae 132

Plovers and Turnstone in Flight 136

Large Shorebirds in Flight 144

Oystercatchers: Haematopodidae 146

Avocets and Stilts: Recurvirostridae 146

Sandpipers and Phalaropes: Scolopacidae 150

"Peeps" 158

Snipe, Sandpipers, etc., in Flight 160

Sandpipers, Phalaropes in Flight 162

Phalaropes: Phalaropodinae 164

Accidental Shorebirds from Eurasia 166

Jaegers: Stercorariidae 170

Gulls: Laridae 172

Small Hooded Gulls: Adults 180

Immature Gulls: Larger Species 182

Immature Gulls: Smaller Species 184

Terns: Sterninae 186

Skimmers: Rynchopinae 190

Auks, etc.: Alcidae 192

Pigeons and Doves: Columbidae 196

Parrots, Parakeets: Psittacidae 198

Cuckoos: Cuculidae 200

Owls: Strigidae and Tytonidae 202

Nighthawks, Nightjars: Caprimulgidae 208

Nighthawks: Caprimulgidae 210

Hummingbirds: Trochilidae 212

Kingfishers: Alcedinidae 214

Woodpeckers: Picidae 216

Tyrant Flycatchers: Tyrannidae 222

Accidental Flycatchers 228

Larks: Alaudidae 230

Pipits: Motacillidae 230

Swallows: Hirundinidae 232

Swifts: Apodidae 234

Chickadees and Titmice: Paridae 236

Nuthatches: Sittidae 238

Creepers: Certhiidae 238

Wrens: Troglodytidae 240

Gnatcatchers (Polioptilinae) and Kinglets (Regulidae) 242

Bulbuls: Pycnonotidae 242

Thrushes: Turdidae 244

Mockingbirds and Thrashers: Mimidae 248

Crows, Jays, etc.: Corvidae 252

Shrikes: Laniidae 254

Waxwings: Bombycillidae 254

Vireos: Vireonidae 256

Wood-Warblers: Parulidae 260

Confusing Fall Warblers 278

Tanagers: Thraupidae 282

Grosbeaks, Finches, Sparrows, Buntings:

Fringillidae, Emberizidae, Cardinalidae 284

Blackbirds, Orioles, etc.: Icteridae 310

Starlings: Sturnidae 312

Orioles 316

Old World Sparrows: Passeridae 318

Miscellaneous Finchlike Birds 318

South Texas Specialties 320

More South Texas Specialties 322

Accidentals from the Tropics 324

Accidentals and Escapes from Eurasia 326

Exotics 328

Range Maps 333

Index of Scientific Names 411

Index of Common Names 419