Outdoor Ontario

Photography => Equipment and Technique => Topic started by: zx003 on August 08, 2010, 01:17:46 AM

Title: Bird Books
Post by: zx003 on August 08, 2010, 01:17:46 AM

Over the years I have accumulated countless field guides, but that is the extend of my bird library. Does anyone have any suggestions for books that I should get? I am looking mostly for life history and behavioural books- learning about what the birds do and why will give me more enjoyment than simply tagging a name to a bird.

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Post by: Cody on August 08, 2010, 01:40:30 AM

These two are good ones that would have what you are looking for:

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Sib ... +to+birds' (http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Sibley-Field-Guide-Birds-Eastern-David-Allen-Sibley/9780679451204-item.html?ref=Search+Books:+'sibley+field+guide+to+birds')


http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Nat ... op+Sellers (http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/National-Geographic-Field-Guide-Birds-Jon-L-Dunn-Jonathan-Alderfer/9780792253143-item.html?ref=Books:+Search+Top+Sellers)

A website that shows behaviour & life history is the Cornell University www.allaboutbirds.org (http://www.allaboutbirds.org) .

Cody

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Post by: zx003 on August 08, 2010, 02:13:31 AM

Thanks!

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Post by: Leslie on August 09, 2010, 10:53:56 AM

Consider the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario.  The current one came out this fall, so apart from the small detail of cost you should easily be able to get a copy.
After that I think you're into general publications that address birds obliquely or non-book papers.
If you haven't already found Algonquin Park's The Raven (formerly weekly in the summer, now 6 issues a year) you may be interested in The Best of the Raven from the Friends of Algonquin Park.  While only a few of the articles are about birds, many may give you insights to inform your observations.  (I don't know if any of last year's Ravens are still available.  Again, not all are about birds.)
Another general book is Eastern Forests in the Peterson series.  It's an overview of ecology & habitats.
After that you might want to try your luck chasing the references in the back of eg the Breeding Atlas.
Read on!

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Post by: JW Mills on August 09, 2010, 07:43:34 PM

Sibley has a guide to bird life and behaviour. It's not comprehensive but it's a good start.
http://www.sibleyguides.com/about/the-s ... -behavior/ (http://www.sibleyguides.com/about/the-sibley-guide-to-bird-life-behavior/)

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Post by: zx003 on August 09, 2010, 11:47:54 PM

Thanks alot for the suggestions! I will certainly look into those books!

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Post by: birderinontario on October 25, 2010, 09:56:35 PM

Believe it or not, Bird Watching For Dummies is actually a great book! I am a beginner (and due to my schedule, I often don't have too much time on my hands), but when I have some time to sit down and look, it's a good quick read!

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Post by: Pat Hodgson on October 26, 2010, 10:06:14 AM

The Birder's Handbook by Ehrlich, Dobkin and Wheye is very useful.