Synopses & Reviews
Review
'\"Williamson\'s book is a comprehensive treatment, accurate enough tosatisfy professionals and accessible to the lay reader.\"'
Review
"Williamson's book is a comprehensive treatment, accurate enough to satisfy professionals and accessible to the lay reader." Birding
"It needs to be on the shelf and in the pocket of every bird watcher in North America." Bird Watcher's Digest
Synopsis
Covering 31 North American species, with more than 250 color photos and 33 maps, this is the most comprehensive field guide to hummingbirds. Introductory chapters cover the natural history of hummingbirds, ways to attract and feed them, and major hot spots in the United States and Canada for observing these fascinating birds. The 31 color plates illustrate 28 species, 7 hybrid combinations, 3 forms of albinism, and 4 species of sphinx moths often mistaken for hummingbirds. Species accounts provide in-depth information on plumage, molt, songs and calls, wing sounds, similar species, behavior, habitat, distribution, taxonomy, and conservation concerns. Detailed, up-to-date range maps show breeding, non-breeding, and year-round distribution, migration routes, and records outside expected areas of occurrence. For a few widespread migratory species, separate maps illustrate expected spring arrival dates.
About the Author
'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.Sheri L. Williamson is one of North America\'s foremost experts on hummingbirds and cofounder of the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory. Her intimate knowledge of hummingbirds comes from more than a decade of intensive study, including hundreds of hours of field observation and the banding of several thousand individuals of 16 species. She leads birding and natural history tours and lectures on hummingbirds and other wildlife of the Southwest. Her articles have appeared in a variety of scientific and popular publications.'
Table of Contents
List of Plates ix
Introduction 1 What Is a Hummingbird? 5 Natural History of North American Hummingbirds 8 Watching Hummingbirds 33 How to Identify Hummingbirds 39 Parts of a Hummingbird 42 How to Use This Book 43 PLATES 49
SPECIES ACCOUNTS 113 Wedge-tailed Sabrewing 115 Green Violet-ear 118 Green-breasted Mango 122 Antillean Crested Hummingbird 126 Golden-crowned Emerald 128 Canivetand#8217;s Emerald 130 Cuban Emerald 132 Broad-billed Hummingbird 136 White-eared Hummingbird 141 Xantusand#8217;s Hummingbird 145 Berylline Hummingbird 148 Rufous-tailed Hummingbird 151 Buff-bellied Hummingbird 154 Cinnamon Hummingbird 158 Azure-crowned Hummingbird 160 Violet-crowned Hummingbird 163 Amethyst-throated Hummingbird 166 Blue-throated Hummingbird 169 Magnificent Hummingbird 174 Plain-capped Starthroat 178 Bahama Woodstar 181 Lucifer Hummingbird 184 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 188 Black-chinned Hummingbird 194 Annaand#8217;s Hummingbird 199 Costaand#8217;s Hummingbird 204 Calliope Hummingbird 208 Bumblebee Hummingbird 213 Broad-tailed Hummingbird 216 Rufous Hummingbird 221 Allenand#8217;s Hummingbird 226
Acknowledgments 233 Glossary 237 List of Nectar Plants 242 Resources for Hummingbird Watchers 245 Bibliography 250 Photo Credits 258 Index 260