Hawks, Eagles, and Falcons of North America: Biology and Natural History [Paperback]

Paul Johnsgard (Author), Paul A. Johnsgard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 17, 2001

In this newest and up-to-date book in a long line of respected works, Paul A. Johnsgard provides a comprehensive review of all thirty-one species of diurnal raptors that breed in the United States and Canada.

In his thorough style, Johnsgard presents the evolutionary history and the morphological features of this diverse group. He gives a detailed account of each of the thirty-one included species, including identifying characteristics to aid birders with field study, a survey of habitats, food and foraging ecology, social behavior, and breeding biology. He also discusses the conservation of these magnificent predators, since hawks, eagles, and falcons are among the wildlife that suffered most from use of DDT and other pesticides in the decades after WWII.

In addition to range maps, full-page figures, and numerous sketches, the book is handsomely illustrated and includes appendices, a glossary of technical terms, and a bibliography of more than 1,200 sources. Comparable to Johnsgard's highly prised North American Owls, this book will be a keystone in the library of every ornithologist, raptor buff, and birder, and a welcome new source for the ecologist and naturalist as well.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Following a general survey of their biology and classification, Johnsgard provides detailed accounts of the 31 breeding species of hawks, eagles, and falcons found in mainland United States and Canada. A glossary, extended bibliography, index, drawings, and color photos supplement the text. This is an accurate and readable monograph that has the ill luck to be published soon after an even more comprehensive and authoritative work on the same topic, Ralph S. Palmer's Handbook of North American Birds , Vols. 4-5 ( LJ 9/1/88), which many libraries will already own. Except for comprehensive research collections, the Johnsgard title, though an excellent work per se, is an optional purchase.
- Paul B. Cors, Univ. of Wyoming Lib., Laramie
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

“A fascinating and comprehensive review. . . . This volume is a must for all serious raptor biologists, wildlife professionals, ornithologists, and birders, but its flowing treatment and handsome layout also make it a treasure for any naturalist or wildlife enthusiast who has ever marveled at the grace and majesty of these hunters of the skies.”—Bloomsbury Review

“A masterpiece of detail. . . . An excellent, referenced source for amateur and professional ornithologists alike. . . . Johnsgard's text is too good a value for any serious birder not to own.”—Borealis

“[T]horough and current. . . . This is a desirable addition to any personal, college, or university library.”—Auk

“[Hawks, Eagles, and Falcons of North America] is a coffee-table book of color plates of diurnal birds of prey, an old-fashioned key (with illustrations of heads and feet), an identification guide, an overview of the birds' biology, and a collection of life histories of the North American species.”—BioScience

“The best single-volume reference on this group of birds.”—Choice

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: Smithsonian Books (August 17, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560989467
• ISBN-13: 978-1560989462
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 1.1 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,382,008 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars At minimum, a very interesting read., December 25, 2005

By 

H. Mayson (PORTLAND, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hawks, Eagles & Falcons of North America: Biology and Natural History (Hardcover)

I found the text to be quite readable and a lot more interesting than some other books on raptors that I have read. This book, of course, cites many different sources, and with those cites, they are clearly stated that these are the opinions and facts of the authors he is citing from. A good portion of the books I have read regarding raptors, the authors use pictures of wild birds where this book mostly uses pictures of captive birds; I was some what puzzled by this, but all the pictures are clearly marked.

There are many tables and graphs in the book and where some are incomplete there is at least one where I questioned just how accurate the data actually was; I had to keep reminding myself that when I read this book, the opinions of the experts vary; I got the impression that the author was trying to give the reader the impression.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Hawks, Eagles and Falcons of North America: Biology and Natu, April 23, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Hawks, Eagles & Falcons of North America: Biology and Natural History (Hardcover)

I was a little disappointed when I received the book. I found several inaccuracies in the text and many of the photos appear to be of captive or mounted birds.

7 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good reference, November 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Hawks, Eagles & Falcons of North America: Biology and Natural History (Hardcover)

It was an interesting read about the different types of raptors seen in North America.