Complete Birds of North America Edited by Jonathan Alderfer and Jon L. Dunn
Published by National Geographic ISBN 9781426221880
Hardcover, $45, 752 pages
National Geographic calls Complete Birds of North America ''an ideal companion" to their Field Guide to the Birds of North America. Edited by two leading experts on North American birds, this book is not a field guide, rather it is more of an encyclopedia.
This is a book for serious birders, filled with detailed scientific descriptions and classifications including Plumage, Behavior, Distribution (including maps), Taxonomy, Similiar Species and Conservation. The full-color illustrations of the birds, both at rest and in flight, are simply stunning. You'll see some incredible photos as well, and the one of the vulture is a little scary. (I have no desire to see that bird up close and in person, thank you.) The introduction to this comprehensive book explains all the terms inside and the manner of organization of the book.
Over 1000 species of birds are described in complete detail. You'll discover there are 33 variations of sparrows and 11 different wrens. I've spent much time in Southern Florida where pelicans are in abundance, and I found it fascinating to learn that they can spend up to 21 hours a day resting, and that they are gregarious birds. You can often them in groups of hundreds and even thousands.
If you have an orinthologist on your holiday gift list, buy them this book which will give them many hours of not only serious information but entertainment as well. It will look beautiful on the bookshelf as well.
Thanks to TLC Tours for putting me on the tour.
My kids and I have been totally nerding out over this book! We live in northern Wisconsin so we have a huge variety of birds, but we've discovered we have a ton that just pass through the area on their way to other places, which is very cool. Thank you for being on this tour! Sara @ TLC Book Tours
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