Synopses & Reviews
Whether we live in cities, in the suburbs, or in the country, birds are ubiquitous features of daily life, so much so that we often take them for granted. But even the casual observer is aware that birds donand#8217;t fill our skies in the number they once did. That awareness has spawned conservation action that has led to notable successes, including the recovery of some of the nationand#8217;s most emblematic species, such as the Bald Eagle, Brown Pelican, Whooping Crane, and Peregrine Falcon. Despite this, a third of all American bird species are in troubleand#8212;in many cases, theyand#8217;re in imminent danger of extinction. The most authoritative account ever published of the threats these species face,
The American Bird Conservancy Guide to Bird Conservation will be the definitive book on the subject.
The Guide presents for the first time anywhere a classification system and threat analysis for bird habitats in the United States, the most thorough and scientifically credible assessment of threats to birds published to date, as well as a new list of birds of conservation concern. Filled with beautiful color illustrations and original range maps, the Guide is a timely, important, and inspiring reference for birders and anyone else interested in conserving North Americaand#8217;s avian fauna. But this book is far more than another shout of crisis. The Guide also lays out a concrete and achievable plan of long-term action to safeguard our countryand#8217;s rich bird life. Ultimately, it is an argument for hope. Whether you spend your early weekend mornings crouched in silence with binoculars in hand, hoping to check another species off your list, or youand#8217;ve never given much thought to bird conservation, youand#8217;ll appreciate the visual power and intellectual scope of these pages.
Review
"Hands down, this is the most important book of the year, one every birdwatcher should own. It provides distribution, threats, and conservation status for all 212 Watch List species in the United States.and#160;It describes the habitats all birds rely onand#8212;the authors have organized these into twelve beautiful 'birdscapes.' . . . It analyzes the human causes of bird mortality. And most important, it lays out an achievable plan of action for safeguarding our country's rich birdlife and how you can help."
Review
and#8220;The particular beauty of this book is that itand#8217;s not just another shout of crisis. It also lays out a concrete and achievable plan of long-term action to safeguard our countryand#8217;s rich bird life. . . . Even if youand#8217;re only a little bit interested in birds, and have never thought much about bird conservation, youand#8217;ll appreciate the visual power and intellectual scope of these pages.and#8221;
Review
"Aand#160;fine laymanand#8217;s introduction to the species and regions that ABC believes need the most conservation. It is for todayand#8217;s birders what Roger Tory petersonand#8217;s guide was for Americans in 1934, a specialistand#8217;s gift to the curious layman.and#8221;--Books and Culture
Review
andldquo;This appears to be a first of its kind, a guide of needed conservation actions across the Western Hemisphere with particular emphasis on the United States. . . . It is my hope that this informative and delightful volume will entice more people to become involved in conservation.andrdquo;
Synopsis
The most authoritative account thoroughly and scientifically assesses conservation concerns and threats that are putting a third of all American bird species in imminent danger of extinction. Filled with beautiful color illustrations and maps, this is an important reference for those interested in protecting America's avian fauna.
About the Author
Michael J. Parr is vice president, George H. Fenwick is president, and Daniel J. Lebbin is conservation biologist at the American Bird Conservancy.
Table of Contents
Foreword
George Fenwick
About this book
Acknowledgements
INTRODUCTION
and#160; Bird Conservation Basicsand#160;
and#160; Conservation History
SPECIES
and#160; (Introduction)
and#160; (Accounts)and#160;
HABITATS
and#160; (Introduction)and#160;
and#160; Hawaii BCR: 67
and#160; Arctic Tundraand#160;and#160;and#160; "BCR: 1,2,3"
and#160; Northern Forests "BCR: 4,6,7,8,12,14"and#160;
and#160; Western Forests "BCR: 5,10,15,16,34"
and#160; Eastern Forests "BCR: 13,23, 24, 28, 29, 30"and#160;
and#160; Southern Forests "BCR: 25, 26,27, 31"
and#160; Grasslands and Prairies "BCR: 11, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 37"and#160;
and#160; SC Arid Lands "BCR: 20, 35, 36"and#160;
and#160; SW Arid Lands "BCR:and#160; 9, 32, 33"and#160;
and#160; Wetlands
and#160; Marine "(Beaches, Coasts and Marine)"and#160;
and#160; Human Landscapeand#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
ISSUES (Threats)
and#160; Drivers of Habitat Loss
and#160; Invasive and Over-abundant Species
and#160; Exploitation
and#160; Pollution
and#160; Climate Change
INTERNATIONAL
and#160; Neotropical Species
and#160; Neotropical Habitatsand#160;
and#160; Social Issuesand#160;
and#160; Drivers of Habitat Loss
and#160; Habitat Protectionand#160;
and#160; Issues (threats)and#160;
TOOLS
and#160; Reader Tools