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Noel F. R. Snyder

The Carolina Parakeet: Glimpses of a Vanished Bird Hardcover – October 17, 2004

by Noel F. R. Snyder (Author)

4.1 5 ratings

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This book provides the first comprehensive account of the biology of one of North America's most enigmatic and colorful wildlife species, the Carolina Parakeet. The only parrot endemic to the United States, this species once ranged in large, noisy flocks from Florida to New York, and as far west as Colorado. But although it was still widespread and common during the time of John James Audubon (whose illustration of the species is perhaps his finest work), the parakeet was gone completely by the mid-twentieth century.

Through analyses of historical accounts and presentation of considerable new information gleaned from interviewing senior citizens with firsthand knowledge of the species, Noel Snyder develops an intriguing portrait of the parakeet that challenges long-held assumptions.

Although it has long been believed that the Carolina Parakeet was exterminated largely by shooting, Snyder argues that exotic diseases may have figured more heavily in its final disappearance. He also presents evidence that the parakeet lasted far longer into the twentieth century than generally believed, and that it may have been toxic and distasteful to predators by virtue of its frequent consumption of the cocklebur--a plant highly poisonous to many other vertebrates. Snyder proposes avenues of research that could help resolve some of the enduring mysteries about this fascinating bird, and he discusses the significance of its extinction for wildlife conservation in general.

Print length

168 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Princeton University Press
Publication date

October 17, 2004
Dimensions

6.5 x 0.75 x 9.5 inches
ISBN-10

0691117950
ISBN-13

978-0691117959
See all details

Carole Boston Weatherford
7
Paperback
3 offers from $9.96

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a wonderful compendium, caveated and collated with care. Snyder deserves great credit for a fascinating effort that comes as close as it is possible to get to the resurrection of what must have been a wonderful bird."---Adrian Barnett, California Wild

"Noel Snyder has now given us a well-researched epithet for North America's once and only endemic parrot."---Stanley A. Temple, Natural Areas Journal

Review

"This book is set to be the definitive work on the extinction of the Carolina Parakeet. Not only does Noel Snyder present the only new information on the species that has come to light in decades, but he provides an enjoyable account of days gone by in the world of ornithology and an interesting look at pre-strip-mall Florida. Historians of science, those interested in the conservation of endangered species, parrot lovers (aka parrot owners), and Floridians will be especially interested in reading this well written and enjoyable account."―Donald Brightsmith, Duke University, and Research Director of Rainforest Expeditions

"The generally accepted version of the loss of the Carolina Parakeet is that it was driven to extinction by hunting, and that the last individual died in 1914 in the Cincinnati Zoo. This fascinating account shows that neither is likely true. The interviews are revealing and entertaining, providing an insight into human history as well as the history of this enigmatic parrot."―Michael J. Parr, American Bird Conservancy, coauthor of Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Princeton University Press (October 17, 2004)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 168 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0691117950
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0691117959
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 0.75 x 9.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,374,093 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #946 in Ornithology (Books)
- #6,169 in Environmentalism
- #7,806 in Nature Conservation

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4.1 5 ratings

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T. Lalley

Uninspired writing

Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2005

Verified Purchase

This book was a disappointment. I'm very interested in the topic but much of the book reads like a scientific paper. There is a lot of good, interesting information but, unless you're particularly interested in Carolina parakeets, as I am, suffering through the writing is probably not worth it.

The crux of the book is his postulation that the parakeets diet of cockleburs made them toxic to most predators thus their bright feathers, gregariousness and ability to "sleep" at night. These abilities were no match against humans who killed them with ease. One shot took out droves and then the survivors would gather around the fallen, making shooting the rest even easier.

Because cockleburs grow around human dwellings the parakeet was drawn to areas where they came in contact with livestock and other sources of exotic diseases, conceivably nail in the coffin for the parakeet.

15 people found this helpful

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Judson Somerville MD review rank

Perfect

Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2017

No issues!

Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2009

It has been two years or so since I read the book so my mindset is not fresh. However, I found this book to be interesting and well worth reading if you have an interest in Carolina Parakeet. Snyder presents details about the bird's Florida range and postulates that the species may have been present into the 1930's. I found the information fascinating and worth considering.

2 people found this helpful

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Robert J. Keiffer

Best historical review

Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2007

Snyder does a superb job of presenting the historical status of a species now extinct. He located much reference literature never before discussed or published. In the case of this species, now certainly extinct, Snyder portrays how the arrogance of certain men may have eliminated any chance of saving the species. Great library reference for any avian biologist.

7 people found this helpful

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The Carolina Parakeet: Glimpses of a Vanished Bird Hardcover – October 17, 2004

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