Birds of the Carolinas [Paperback]

Eloise F. Potter (Author), James F. Parnell (Author), Robert P. Teulings (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1986

The well-loved standard reference for bird-watchers and nature lovers in North Carolina and South Carolina, Birds of the Carolinas collects information on all avian species known to have occurred in the region since 1900. This thoroughly revised second edition describes more than 460 individual species, including 60 new species that have been recorded since the publication of the first edition in 1980. Updated entries for all species reflect the current status of bird life as well as major changes in taxonomy and nomenclature. Each species account indicates when and where the bird is most likely to be found in the Carolinas, its nesting habits, feeding habits, and descriptive information useful in identifying the species. Generously illustrated with nearly 400 color photographs, this comprehensive guide to regional birds and their behavior will quickly earn a prominent place on the bookshelf of every bird-watcher in the Carolinas.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

The most comprehensive reference for Carolina bird watchers is now updated to include 60 new species recorded in the Carolinas since the publication of the first edition in 1980, bringing the new total to more than 460 individual species. Previous entries have been updated to reflect the current status of species and major changes in taxonomy and the naming of species. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Eloise F. Potter is former director of communications at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

James F. Parnell is professor emeritus of biology at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He is coauthor of Mammals of the Carolinas, Virginia, and Maryland and Freshwater Fishes of the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware, both from UNC Press.

Robert P. Teulings, retired environmental engineer at the North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, is past president of the Carolina Bird Club.

Ricky Davis is editor for the Southern Atlantic region for North American Birds, a quarterly journal of ornithological record published by the American Birding Association. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: University of North Carolina Press (April 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807841552
• ISBN-13: 978-0807841556
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,464,746 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Reference, February 27, 2000

By 

Judy H. Gruver "jhg" (Wake Forest, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Birds of the Carolinas (Paperback)

Birds of the Carolinas is an essential reference for the hobiest. It is particularly useful in identifying transients, and in differentiating between similar species based on habitat and time of year. The book contains excellent photographs of most (but not all) of the species referenced.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Like An Old Friend, July 31, 2003

By 

T. Bouthillet - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Birds of the Carolinas (Paperback)

This is the first bird book I ever owned. I purchased it in the summer of 1999. Four years later, it's like an old friend. It starts out with a short introduction and a few pages on the problem of identification. Then it goes on to describe the various bird habitats in North and South Carolina. The largest section of the book, of course, is the species guide. I found it to be particularly helpful with woodpeckers and shore birds, of which there is a wonderful variety here on Hilton Head Island.

I'm still learning about birds, so I have not yet become proficient at differentiating between various warblers, for example, but this book has helped me identify a couple. Last summer, I searched the book front to back for a bird species I encountered in Pickney Island National Wildlife Preserve, and never found it. Turns out that the bird was a Golden Crowned Kinglet. The bird was listed in this book, but for some reason there was no photo. Strictly speaking _Birds of the Carolinas_ isn't the best field guide on the market, but I still use it and have thoroughly enjoyed owning it. I think you'll enjoy it, too, especially if you are a new hobbyist.

19 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars don't bother, February 11, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Birds of the Carolinas (Paperback)

I ordered this book hoping to have help identifying the birds at the feeders in my back yard. This books wasn't much help. Most of the photos are tiny--all you see is a bird shape sitting in a bunch of bushes or trees. The photo of the cardinal and blue jay are excellent--but who doesn't already know what these birds look like? Also there was too much information on habitat and migration patterns. I suppose that some people would think this was important. All I know is that there are dozens of gray birds feeding my backyard and I still don't know what most of them are called.

I'm going to buy another book, hopefully with larger pictures.