A Peterson Field Guide To Hummingbirds Of North America

A Peterson Field Guide To Hummingbirds Of North America

by Sheri L. Williamson
A Peterson Field Guide To Hummingbirds Of North America

A Peterson Field Guide To Hummingbirds Of North America

by Sheri L. Williamson

Hardcover

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Overview

The classic, most comprehensive field guide to identifying hummingbirds—nature's smallest and most stunning bird species.

Covering 31 North American species, with more than 250 color photos and 33 maps, this is the ultimate guide to hummingbirds. Introductory chapters cover the natural history of hummingbirds, ways to attract and feed them, and major hot spots in the United States and Canada for observing these fascinating birds. Color plates illustrate 28 species, 7 hybrid combinations, 3 forms of albinism, and 4 species of sphinx moths often mistaken for hummingbirds. Species accounts provide in-depth information on plumage, molt, songs and calls, wing sounds, similar species, behavior, habitat, distribution, taxonomy, and conservation concerns. Detailed, up-to-date range maps show breeding, non-breeding, and year-round distribution, migration routes, and records outside expected areas of occurrence. For a few widespread migratory species, separate maps illustrate expected spring arrival dates.

For more than 85 years, Peterson Field Guides have set the standard by which other field guides are measured. Comprehensive and authoritative, they are essential additions to any naturalist's bookshelf or backpack.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780618024964
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication date: 01/10/2002
Series: Peterson Field Guides
Pages: 280
Sales rank: 360,798
Product dimensions: 4.50(w) x 7.25(h) x 0.84(d)

About the Author

ROGER TORY PETERSON, one of the world’s greatest naturalists, received every major award for ornithology, natural science, and conservation as well as numerous honorary degrees, medals, and citations, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Peterson Identification System has been called the greatest invention since binoculars.

Read an Excerpt

WEDGE-TAILED SABREWING pl. 11 Campylopte rus curvipennis 4.75–5.25 in. (12–13.5 cm). Bill length: male 26–31 mm, female 23–28 mm; tail length: male 43–50 mm, female 38–44 mm.
This large hummingbird of eastern Mexico ranges north into southwestern Tamaulipas, the presumed origin of several other tropical species that have strayed into southern Texas; the potential exists for occurrence north of the Mexican border. The species gets its name from the modified shafts of its outer primaries, which are dramatically thickened and curved in adult males, less so in immature males and adult females. The function of this feature is unknown, though it may play a role in sound production or visual signaling during courtship displays.

Description A large hummingbird with a long wedge-shaped or graduated tail, the central pair of feathers being much longer than the outer pair and extending well beyond the wingtips. Upperparts are bright green to emerald green, with blue to violet-blue crown blending with green of nape. White spot behind eye contrasts strongly with dark gray cheek. Underparts are pale gray to whitish, often slightly darker laterally; undertail coverts may show buffy wash. Bill is long, straight to slightly decurved; lower mandible is pinkish at base. Sexes are similar. ADULT MALE: Very large, with metallic deep blue to violet- blue crown blending with bright green on nape. Shafts of outer primaries extremely broad, flattened and curved near base. Tail green above with increasing dark suffusion toward tips of outer feathers. R4–5 mostly blackish, often with faint paler mottling at tip. ADULT FEMALE: Similar to male but smaller, with less extensive satiny deep blue to violet-blue on crown. Tail similar to male’s, but usually with faint lighter mottling or well-defined light gray tips on R3–5. IMMATURE MALE: Similar to adult male but crown duller, usually some pale mottling in outer tail feathers. IMMATURE FEMALE: Similar to adult female but crown very dull blue, light gray tips on R3–5 usually large, well defined. Immatures of both sexes may show buffy wash on underparts as well as pale edges on feathers of upperparts.

Text copyright © 2001 by Sheri L. Williamson. Reprinted by permission of Houghton Mifflin Company.

Table of Contents

List of Plates ix

Introduction 1 What Is a Hummingbird? 5 Natural History of North American Hummingbirds 8 Watching Hummingbirds 33 How to Identify Hummingbirds 39 Parts of a Hummingbird 42 How to Use This Book 43 PLATES 49

SPECIES ACCOUNTS 113 Wedge-tailed Sabrewing 115 Green Violet-ear 118 Green-breasted Mango 122 Antillean Crested Hummingbird 126 Golden-crowned Emerald 128 Canivet’s Emerald 130 Cuban Emerald 132 Broad-billed Hummingbird 136 White-eared Hummingbird 141 Xantus’s Hummingbird 145 Berylline Hummingbird 148 Rufous-tailed Hummingbird 151 Buff-bellied Hummingbird 154 Cinnamon Hummingbird 158 Azure-crowned Hummingbird 160 Violet-crowned Hummingbird 163 Amethyst-throated Hummingbird 166 Blue-throated Hummingbird 169 Magnificent Hummingbird 174 Plain-capped Starthroat 178 Bahama Woodstar 181 Lucifer Hummingbird 184 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 188 Black-chinned Hummingbird 194 Anna’s Hummingbird 199 Costa’s Hummingbird 204 Calliope Hummingbird 208 Bumblebee Hummingbird 213 Broad-tailed Hummingbird 216 Rufous Hummingbird 221 Allen’s Hummingbird 226

Acknowledgments 233 Glossary 237 List of Nectar Plants 242 Resources for Hummingbird Watchers 245 Bibliography 250 Photo Credits 258 Index 260

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