New Mexico is huge—the 5th largest state in the U.S.—so it’s no surprise that there is a great diversity of habitat. Add to this the geographical location of this beautiful state and your bound to find a great variety of birds and lots of them.
Raptors of New Mexico
, edited by Jean-Luc E. Cartron, covers all the raptors that occur in the state. This includes vultures, eagles, kites, osprey, falcons, hawks, and owls. This huge book includes tons of information largely inaccessible or buried in scientific journals. But Raptors of New Mexico isn’t just strictly scientific research; it also includes natural history information and aesthetically appealing photographs.
The numerous photos and stories from the field keep the species accounts lively and engaging, just the way real-life birding is.
The individual chapters on each species of raptor also includes maps of breeding and/or migratory movement plus charts and tables displaying data from Christmas Bird Counts and other studies. The information on distribution, habitat, and behavior is especially useful for birders wishing to locate and study particular birds. The sections on status and management is wonderfully useful for bird conservationists.
While Raptors of New Mexico is highly detailed, gorgeous, and full of incredible information, it may not be for all birders. But if you live in or visit the Land of Enchantment or if you have a great love for raptors, than Raptors of New Mexico belongs in your library.
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Raptors of New Mexico
ed. Jean-Luc E. Cartron
University of New Mexico Press
728 pages, 744 color photographs
ISBN: 978-0-8263-4145-7
Disclaimer: We received this book from the publisher to review on birdfreak.com.
The American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU) has released the 51st supplement to the AOU Checklist. Expert birder Michael Retter has an excellent summary of these changes. Bird sound expert Nathan Pieplow has additional info as well, including sounds.
Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis), one of the species “split”
These periodic changes occur when new scientific information is learned about species and their relationships to each other. For “listers” these changes involve refiguring their lifelists and often adding new species.
It is always a good idea to study notable subspecies of birds that are likely or possible to be “split”.
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We Birdfreaks tend to slow down in July when it comes to birding. Between cookouts and family reunions, music in the park and swimming, the summer can slip by in a flash.
Today was the perfect time to head out to Rock Cut State Park in Rockford, Illinois. Jennie and Dakota are here visiting from Findlay, Ohio (Dakota has spent most of his summer in Illinois).
We arrived around nine in the morning. The sun was hot and the humidity high. We hiked along one of the equestrian trails and headed into the woods. We found a White-eyed Vireo, several vocal Eastern Wood-Pewees, many active woodpeckers, Indigo Buntings and a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
Can it be too hot to go birding? When it is so hot and humid, extra precautions should be taken. On hot days, you should bring extra water (more than you think you’ll need), apply sunscreen and bug spray, and dress in light-weight clothing. Be prepared to walk at a slower pace and take breaks if you need to. As long as you come prepared, hot-weather birding can be done.
Are birds even out in hot weather? This time of year many species are less vocal and somewhat more difficult to find. Birding is more pleasant earlier in the day or late in the evening, but birds really can be found all day.
Sometimes, it is good just to get out there and endure. There might not be much to be seen, but once you are sweaty head to toe, you can’t get more sweaty so enjoy! Get dirty! Be one of the brave souls out in the elements. (And then go home and take a shower!)
by The Birdfreak Team on July 20, 2010
in Reviews
David Allen Sibley is one of the world’s top wildlife artists. His detailed birds grace the pages of the beautiful Sibley Guide to Birds
and more recently, Sibley crafted The Sibley Guide to Trees
.
Now you can get Sibley’s birds as a jaw-dropping wall poster. Measuring 24″ x 36″, the Sibley Backyard Birds: Eastern North America wall poster has a dizzying display of 98 species of birds you are likely to find in your backyard or local park. Hang this poster on a wall or door near your favorite birding window and quickly compare what you find!
This poster makes a super gift for newer birders (especially younger ones!). The impact of seeing so many birds together—sized to scale and full of color—is sure to inspire anyone to take an extra long look into the natural world and all its beauty.
We received this poster from the publisher, Scott & Nix, Inc., to provide a review.
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