Florida's Birds: A Field Guide And Reference (Paperback)

by David S. Maehr (Author), Herbert W., II Kale (Author), Karl Karalus (Illustrator) "In each account we briefly list the most distinctive field marks of the species and explain in more detail, if necessary, in the text..." (more)
Key Phrases: mesic hammocks, open saltwater, xeric scrub, July Aug, Habitat Coastal, Apr May (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The Second Edition of Florida’s Birds is a major event for Florida birders, new and old. Each section of the book is updated, and 30 new species are added. Also added are range maps for certain species and color coded guides to months when the bird is present and/or breeding in Florida. Now with color throughout, each bird is illustrated three times: with the text about the bird, in the index listing, and on a plate with similar species for help in identification. Thus, Florida’s Birds is now an even better field guide. Unlike the other books available on the birds of Florida, Florida’s Birds is also a reference that goes beyond its usefulness in the field. Sections on bird study and bird feeding provide practical advice for enjoying Florida’s birds; and sections on bird habitats, threatened and endangered species, exotic species, and bird conservation will assist the reader in understanding the ecological and cultural landscapes that have created one of the world’s unique avifaunas.

About the Author
David S. Maehr is Associate Professor of Conservation Biology at the University of Kentucky, Department of Forestry. He obtained M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in wildlife ecology at the University of Florida. Dr. Maehr has studied Florida bird communities, Cerulean Warbler and Golden-winged Warbler ecology, and a variety of large mammal species in the eastern U.S. and Mexico.

Herbert W. Kale was Vice President, Ornithology, for the Florida Audubon Society. Dr. Kale was president of the Colonial Waterbird Society; chair of the Committee on Birds for the Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, director of the Florida Breeding Bird Atlas, and field associate of the Florida Museum on Natural History. His many friends in the ornithological community remember him not only for his passion for birds and his devotion to saving them, but for his warm heart and kindness toward people.

Product Details

• Paperback: 359 pages
• Publisher: Pineapple Press (FL); 2 edition (November 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561643351
• ISBN-13: 978-1561643356
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #183,541 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2nd edition updates everything!, March 18, 2006

By	D. Donovan, Editor/Sr. Reviewer "California B... (California, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Florida-bound or resident bird-watchers won't want to be without the second edition of a classic state- specific field guide, FLORIDA'S BIRDS: A FIELD GUIDE AND REFERENCE. This is no reprint edition: each section of FLORIDA'S BIRDS has been updated and thirty new species added, along with range maps for species and color-coded guides to month of presence. Each bird is illustrated not once but three times, text discusses habitats and habits, and sections on bird study and feeding provide in-depth detail. A 'must' handbook for any with Florida roots.

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed in information--returned book, December 13, 2005

By	TX reader - See all my reviews

Eventhough I may not have really saved any money, I did not see any point in keeping this book once I received and reviewed it. I ordered for my son in law who lives on Fl coast and loves to fish coastal waters. He wanted a book to give information about the birds he saw then. I was hoping the size and information in this one would make it good for his purpose. This was not the case, however.
More than half of the book is concerned with ecological and birdwatching information--that is just not what he was looking for. I was disappointed in the size of photographs of the birds, but when so much is given to other aspects not that much room for bird information is left.
The quality of construction seemed good, but the spine is fairly narrow and the book needs to be opened fully to read all the text. It is possible that repeated readings may cause some pages to come loose.
On the hunt again

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended for Florida ornithologists and bird lovers, January 10, 2006

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Now in a newly revised and expanded second edition, Florida's Birds: A Field Guide And Reference is a wonderful guide for Florida birdwatchers. Every section has been updated, and 30 new species added. A brief introduction and overview leads into the species-by-species listings that include the names, description, habitat, range, life cycle summary, and a color-coded at-a-glance list of the months each species can be found within Florida. Perhaps most captivating of all is illustrator Karl Karalus' full-color renditions of each bird species, in a meticulous and lifelike manner reminiscent of Audubon himself, making Florida's Birds a delight to simply page through. Highly recommended for Florida ornithologists and bird lovers.