Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds: Second Edition (Princeton Field Guides)
Paul J. Baicich
Language: English
Pages: 480
ISBN: 0691122954
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds, Second Edition provides a thorough, species-by-species guide to the breeding biology of the birds of North America. Some 670 breeding species are described in full, covering the birds of a vast area, from the Arctic to the southern boundary of the continental United States. The main text presents complete basic information on the breeding cycle of each species, summarized in a natural sequence: nest habitat, nest-site, nest construction, breeding season, eggs, incubation and nesting and nestling period. More than 700 color and line illustrations provide valuable information on the identification of the nests, eggs, and nestlings of 597 species. The book covers perhaps the most fascinating aspects of North American bird life, their reproduction and the care of their young, essential elements in the survival of any species. The book summarizes all that is known of this crucial part of a bird's life cycle, and by omission, points to what is yet unknown and may yet be discovered by the scientific ornithologist and birder alike. If your fascination in the nests, eggs, and nestlings of North American birds centers on identifying them in the field, you will find this book essential. If conservation is also a concern, you will appreciate the value of understanding the breeding requirements and biology of even the most common of species. This book will prove invaluable whatever your interest in North American birds.
Key Features:
- Describes nests, eggs, and nestlings and gives basic biological information on nesting and breeding biology
- Includes up-to-date coverage of all breeding species found in North America, including Alaska and Canada in one comprehensive volume
- Contains more than 700 color and line illustrations of nests, eggs, and nestlings
Species List by Family:
Loons: Gaviidae. Grebes: Podicipedidae. Shearwaters: Procellariidae. Storm-Petrels: Hydrobatidae. Boobies and Gannets: Sulidae. Pelicans: Pelecanidae. Cormorants: Phalacrocoracidae. Darters: Anhingidae. Frigatebirds: Fregatidae. Bitterns and Herons: Ardeidae. Ibises and Spoonbills: Threskiomithidae. Storks: Ciconiidae. Swans, Geese, and Ducks: Anatidae. American Vultures: Catharidae. Kites, Hawks, Eagles and Allies: Accipitridae. Caracaras and Falcons: Falconidae. Guans: Cracidae. Partridges, Grouse, Turkey, and Quail: Phasianidae. Rails, Gallinules, and Coots: Rallidae. Limpkins: Aramidae. Cranes: Gruidae. Plovers: Charadriidae. Oystercatchers: Haematopodidae. Stilts and Avocets: Recurvirostridae. Jacanas: Jacanidae. Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies: Scolopacidae. Jaegers, Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers: Laridae. Auks, Murres, and Puffins: Alcidae. Pigeons and Doves: Columbidae. Parakeets and Parrots: Psittacidae. Cuckoos, Roadrunner, and Anis: Cuculidae. Barn Owls: Tytonidae. Typical Owls: Strigidae. Goatsuckers: Caprimulgidae. Swifts: Apodidae. Hummingbirds: Trochilidae. Trogons: Trogonidae. Kingfishers: Alcedinidae. Woodpeckers: Picidae. Tyrant Flycatchers: Tyrannidae. Larks: Alaudidae. Swallows: Hirundinidae. Jays, Magpies, and Crows: Corvidae. Titmica: Paridae. Verdin: Remizidae. Bushtits: Aegithalidae. Nutcatchers: Sittidae. Creepers: Certhiidae. Bulbuls: Pycnonotidae. Wrens: Troglodytidae. Dippers: Cinclidae. Old World Warblers, Gnatcatchers, Old World Flycatchers, Thrushes and Wrentit: Uscicapidae. Mockingbirds and Thrashers: Mimidae. Wagtails and Pipits: Motacillidae. Waxwings Bombycillidae. Silky-Flycatchers: Ptilogonatidae. Shrikes: Laniidae. Starlings: Stumidae. Vireos: Vireonidae. Wood-Warblers, Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbreaks, Sparrows, Buntins, Blackbirds, and Allies: Emberizidae. Fringinlline and Carueline Finches and Allies: Fringillidae. Old World Sparrows: Passeridae.
colonies with Least and Crested Auklets. Nest in crevice and holes in cliffs and talus. Nest: Egg laid on a bare site: no nest materials. Breeding season: Begins mid-May. Usually ends by mid-August. f.ggs: 1: oval. smooth and lusterless. White. 48 x 34 mm. 1 74 Alcidae Incubation: By both sexes, with shift change at night. At least 35-36 days. Nestling: Semi-precocial and downy. Covered by a dense down, dark sooty above, lighter and more grayish on the abdomen. Nestling period: Young brooded
and black stripes prominent, making appearance dark. Bill pinkish with two vertical black bands on upper mandible. Irides light gray. Feet dark gray. Nestling period: Little information. Young tended by both parents, but only a single adult sometimes apparent with older chicks. Estimated age at first flight 35-45 days. Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) Figure 1 0, Plate 1 8 Breeds on freshwater lakes, lagoons, floodwaters, and calmer rivers: with some vege tation cover. Sometimes
piles. Males are promiscuous. Nest: A shallow scrape, lined with any nearby plant material that can be pulled in, including dead leaves and pine needles. Breeding season: Begins early April in south to early May in north. Will replace lost clutches but with fewer eggs. Eggs: Usually 9-12, replacement clutches often c. 7. Subelliptical to oval. Smooth and moderately glossy. Creamy or ivory to very pale buff or pinkish-buff: often unmarked, sometimes with very fine speckling of brown. 40 x 30 mm.
extent by the size and rigidity of the pieces of nest material used. Birds using lax plant material - for example, grebes with pondweed, cormorants with seaweed, and kittiwakes with mud and grass build a solid platform or mound with a small hollow in the top for the eggs, the nest being usually consolidated by the trampling of the birds. Birds using rigid twigs usually build in trees and may produce no more than a thin platform. When the twigs are put in place, a small lateral quivering of the
thick. Nest built by both sexes. Breeding season: Begins early to mid-May. May be double brooded in south. Eggs: Usually 8-ll, sometimes 6-15. Subelliptical. Smooth and glossy. Creamy white or tinted very pale buff or pinkish-buff; with sparse spotting in dark reddish-brown and purple, and sometimes small blotches concentrated at the larger end. 41 x 30 mm. Incubation: By both sexes. 21-24 days. Nestling: Precocial and downy. Down short, thick and black. Nestling period: Young tended by both