A Peterson Field Guide To Hummingbirds Of North America

by Sheri L. Williamson, Roger Tory Peterson (Editor)

Covering 31 North American species, with more than 250 color photos and 33 maps, this is the most comprehensive field 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. The 31 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.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Nature, Birds, Field Guides, Animals

280 pages, Hardcover

First published January 10, 2002

About the author

After more than 20 years of general birding and natural history, my life got hijacked by hummingbirds when my husband and colleague Tom Wood and I moved to Arizona to work as live-in managers of The Nature Conservancy’s Ramsey Canyon Preserve. A quarter century later, I’m still obsessed with these rainbow warriors, feeding them year round, maintaining dozens of hummingbird-pollinated plants in my garden, writing about them in my blog, and banding hundreds of them each year.

I manage to keep my hummingbird obsession marginally under control by leading bird walks, workshops, and tours for the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory, watching and photographing hawks, cranes, sparrows, and butterflies, writing about other birds and other wildlife (including a forthcoming collection of essays and stories tentatively titled The Grail Quail), creating jewelry from polymer clay, translating Mayan hieroglyphic inscriptions, playing rock and folk music on my autoharp, and spoiling my small flock of diva chickens.

Reviews

[Sarah Ehinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Focused on Hummingbirds of North America, this book has good close up shots of hummingbirds which help you identify the differences between the hummers of various regions.

[Terry Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm fascinated with this little critters, unfortunately I love on the East Coast where we only regularly have ruby-throated hummingbirds. Excellent easy to use guide.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great sturdy book on Hummingbirds. From describing the hummingbird to locations of certain species across N.America this book contains very detailed hummingbird information.There are tons of color pictures to help with identification of males and females of each species. There are even sound descriptions, and behavior sections per species. If you want to know in depth information on these magnificent and mysterious birds this is the book for you.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

terrificly informative book. several pages devoted to each type of hummingbird. i will always be appreciative of a well-arranged field guide.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many interesting facts about hummingbirds and their way of living. I didn't know there were so many different kinds and beautiful hummingbirds in North America!