Book of North American Birds : An Illustrated Guide to More Than 600 Species

This beautifully illustrated and comprehensive guide covers more than 600 species of birds that spend at least part of the year on the North American continent. More than any other kind of wildlife, birds have an almost magical hold on the human imagination—they are beautiful, vibrantly alive, and seen everywhere. They open our eyes to the world of nature and enrich our spirits with their color, their music, and their wondrous gift of flight.

Celebrating the hundreds of species that spend at least part of the year in the United States or Canada, this volume organizes its 8 chapters by type and habitat. Each page features a full-color painting, usually of a male in breeding plumage, accompanied by a brief narrative focusing on key aspects of the bird in the wild. At the bottom of each page, you'll find information for quick reference with details on identification, habitat, nesting, and food. A drawing highlights a particular point of interest about each species, and a color-coded range map shows where it can be found.

The guide includes a Special Collection of more than 100 species that are rare or have limited ranges in North America, plus a Traveler's Guide arranged alphabetically by state and province, describing more than 350 prime locations for seeing America's birds at their best. The illustrations and paintings come from some of the most renowned wildlife artists in the field, such as H. Douglas Pratt, Ray Harris-Ching, and Albert Earl Gilbert. Fun to read, easy to use, informative, and lovely to look at—here is the perfect book for anyone who loves nature.