Smithsonian Handbooks: Birds of North America -- Eastern Region (Smithsonian Handbooks) [Paperback]

Fred J. Alsop (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2001 | Series: Smithsonian Handbooks

Published in association with America's preeminent authority, the Smithsonian Institution, this comprehensive handbook to the birds of North America: Eastern Region includes 706 species -- all birds known to breed east of the 100th meridian on the United States and Canada, as well as regular visitors and vagrants to this region. The Smithsonian Handbook is the first identification guide that includes details of the bird's life history in a concise and user-friendly format. Each full-page profile combines a precise description, annotated photographs, and artworks to highlight the key field marks of the species in each plumage. Similar species are shown and distinguishing characteristics are noted. Further information on the bird's habits describes the typical song and other vocalizations, behavior, breeding, nesting, population, and conservation concerns. Typical flight patterns and nest locations and shapes are described with clear icons, and amplified in the text. Each bird's range during summer, winter, and on migration is clearly shown on a map.

Editorial Reviews

Review

By partnering with the Smithsonian Institution and by using the popular photographically-rich design of the DK Handbook series, the books [Smithsonian Handbooks of Birds of North America (Eastern Region and Western Region)] promise to catch the attention of veteran and novice birders. With 750-plus pages per handbook, each species receives it's own full-page profile, including a concise overview and color photos. The books also cover songs, behavior, breeding, population and conservation issues. (Birder's World, June 2001)

Review

By partnering with the Smithsonian Institution and by using the popular photographically-rich design of the DK Handbook series, the books [Smithsonian Handbooks of Birds of North America (Eastern Region and Western Region)] promise to catch the attention of veteran and novice birders. With 750-plus pages per handbook, each species receives it's own full-page profile, including a concise overview and color photos. The books also cover songs, behavior, breeding, population and conservation issues. (Birder's World, June 2001) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 752 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT; 1st edition (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789471566
• ISBN-13: 978-0789471567
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.1 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,534 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #56 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Birds & Birdwatching

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a useful companion guide, January 6, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Smithsonian Handbooks: Birds of North America -- Eastern Region (Smithsonian Handbooks) (Paperback)

I take issue with the Book News Review. Every birding guide has strengths and weaknesses, and few (if any) can compete with Sibley on illustrations. This book's main attribute is its standardized format that provides song, behavior, breeding, nesting, fight pattern, nest identification and similar birds for every species, plus a sighting checkoff at the bottom of each page. The comprehensive information makes it a useful companion to other guides. As for field portability, my reliable, dog-eared Peterson's still wins out.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Think of it as a mini encyclopedia on birds of eastern North America, December 16, 2005

By 

J. Guild (Toronto,Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Birds of North America: Eastern Region (Smithsonian Handbooks) (Hardcover)

There have been over 800 species of birds identified in North America.This includes all those that breed there or have ever been proven to have visited,even very rarely.This book limits itself to eastern NA(east of the 100th meridan,roughly the Mississippi)and north of Mexico plus ajacent islands and seas within 200 miles of the coast.All birds have been documented by the American Ornithologists' Union.It covers 696 species.There is a similar book for Western North America.Obviously many birds will be in each book because of overlapping.The species are in taxonomic order as is the norm for most bird books.

The birds are covered one per page.There is a large color photograph,a written description,song description,behavior details,breeding information,nesting details,as well as length,wingspan,flight pattern,nest identification ,scientific family and species names.plumage,habitat,migrationweight,range maps,scale sihouettes, information to show differences with similar species.The book also has a 37 page introduction on how to use the book and what birding is all about.

This book will serve many purposes;but mainly as a use at home resource.It is much too heavy to tote around while birding,but certainly packed with much mote material.An excellent book to have 'on the shelf'for a serious or otherwise interest in birds.

For someone starting and wanting a bird book to take with them in the field ,go with; Peterson,Kaufman,Golden,American Bird Conservancy's field Guide,National Geographic,Sibley's or such.

20 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bird Identification made easier....., August 27, 2001

By 

Dianne Foster "Di" (USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Smithsonian Handbooks: Birds of North America -- Eastern Region (Smithsonian Handbooks) (Paperback)

Did you ever try to decide whether the little wren on the back patio was a Winter Wren, a Carolina Wren, Bewick's Wren, or a House Wren? With this book you can add a few more wrens to your list. You'll also find plenty of Sparrows, Warblers, and members of other bird families. BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA: EASTERN BIRDS contains a comprehensive listing of the birds who spend at least part of their year living east of the Mississippi as well as plenty of western birds of interest--like the House Finch who migrated east. This book is large-more than 700 pages-so it's heavy, but it has a plasicized cover so you can haul it in your backpack if you're strong. Since the Smithsonian developed it, the book is literally jam-packed with information, including: a description with a color photo; call notes; habitat; nesting habits; relative size (the bird is silhouetted against the book); bird look-alikes; and plenty of other useful stuff. Each bird receives a full page of coverage. My only complaint, and it's barely worth mentioning is that the maps appearing with each bird entry are a bit small. In some cases a bird's domain is barely visiable, but partly that's owing to the demise of the domain. You not only will discover where the little guys summer, winter, and breed, you'll discover which birds are threatened with extinction owing to the human caused destruction of their habitats. The book contains a listing of now-extinct birds, each of them profiled as the still living birds have been. The loss of the Carolina Parakeet is the saddest tale. Carolina Parakeets were once prolific. They ranged over most of the Eastern United States. They were so loyal to their flock mates the live birds would fly to the side of the dead and dying birds. As they hovered around their dying mates hunters killed them. (John Muir pointed out ages ago that animals feel sorrow, and all of us who are close to animals know this.) The Carolina Parakeet was destroyed for it's feathers. The Veery is facing a similar fate. Not only is it's habitat being destroyed, the lichen it depends on is disappearing from the trees in the Eastern part of the country and around the Great Lakes owing to air pollution. (Think twice about those polluting smoke stacks and SUVs!!) Talk about a canary in the mine!! Bird-watching is a pleasurable past time I have shared with grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, and now share with my children and grandchildren. If we all don't get more serious about preserving the places birds live and breed there won't be any birds to watch. The Smithsonian is dedicated to preserving our heritage. It's Guide will raise your consciousness and help you identify many more birds than you ever thought possible.