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Birds of Atlantic Canada By Roger Burrows Illustrated by Gary Ross & Ted Nordhagen Lone Pine Publishing - 336 pages Cost: $26.95 Softcover ISBN 1-55105-353-5 Soaring Above the Rest! reviewed by Ronnie Scullion
The guide follows the standards of bird taxonomy set out by the American Ornithologists' Union Checklist of North American Birds with species grouped by family. The pages are colour-coded along the top and side - a different colour for each family - facilitating comparative and cross-referencing. Included in the book's introduction is a detailed account of the best birding sites, information about provincial birding groups, organizations and conservation activities. An innovative Reference Guide, in addition to the traditional Table of Contents, displays a thumbnail picture of each species, again organized by family, the species' name and associated page number below it. Two hundred and eighty-four of the 325 bird species that make their appearance annually in Atlantic Canada are described in detail. Author Roger Burrows, originally from England, has traveled throughout North America, spending many years in Atlantic Canada where he worked for Parks Canada as a naturalist, interpretive planner and consultant. An avid birder, his expertise is apparent in page after page of information-packed introductions to the birds that grace our shores, fields and woodlands.
Burrows highlights each species’ most distinguishing features or unique characteristics. We learn, for instance, that the female Spotted Sandpiper mates with more than one male and that this "unusual nesting behaviour, known as polyandry is found in about one percent of all bird species". Each species' entry includes an account of identifying characteristics, size, status, nesting and feeding habits, habitat and voice description. A small accompanying map of Atlantic Canada shows the species' range at a glance, colour-keyed to distinguish summer (breeding), winter or year round visitation. Migratory pathways are also depicted where known. To complete the guide, there are an appendix, glossary, checklist and two indexes. The appendix lists many of the "accidental" bird species, those not seen every year. The glossary covers some of the more obscure terminology essential to a birder’s vocabulary, such as, "extirpated: species no longer in Canada but occurring elsewhere" or "riparian: habitat along riverbanks". The checklist includes the names of all the species officially recorded in Atlantic Canada, including the "accidentals". Finally, the two indexes allow for looking up a species either by scientific or common name. Birds of Atlantic Canada will prove an invaluable companion to regional birders. For those venturing to other locations, Lone Pine Publishing has a growing collection of city and regional bird guides all featuring the same well-organized layout and full-colour illustrations.
Designed &
maintained by Outdoor Nova Scotia, Liverpool, N.S. BOT 1KO |
Birds
of Atlantic Canada soars
above any of the bird identification books I have come across in recent
years. Attractively and accurately illustrated it is sure to become 'the'
guidebook that accompanies novice and experienced birders into the fields.
Everyday, yet
inspired language with a tendency to colloquial description over
scientific report makes this guide a "good read" in
addition to being a great reference. It is easy to visualize the
Rough-legged Hawk as he "windhovers to scan the ground below..."
or hear the American Bittern's "deep and mysterious booming
call..."
