American Museum of Natural History Birds of North America Western Region

482 Pages·2011·75.22 MB·English

by  DK Publishing

This definitive field guide uses
birds of north America: Western region uses a
innovative close-up photography
unique fully integrated photographic approach
to bring over 550 western bird
The American Museum of Natural History is a world leader
birds for quick and easy identification of birds in the

in scientific research, education, and exhibition, working species to life on the page.
field. Written by a team of expert contributors,
to explore and interpret all aspects of natural history and
and edited by FranÇois Vuilleumier of the
human culture. The research of more than 200 scientists is Full-page profiles of commonly seen species are
American Museum of Natural History, its
backed by cutting-edge laboratories, storage facilities, the detailed yet accessible for quick reference and
largest natural-history library in the Western Hemisphere, identification in the field. comprehensive coverage, easy-to-use layout,
and the museum’s collections of more than 30 million and outstanding visual impact ensure that
Produced in association with the American Museum
specimens and cultural materials. The museum shares its it will appeal to bird enthusiasts of all ages
of Natural History, one of the world’s leading
treasures in 46 permanent exhibition halls with 4 million and levels of experience.
OF nOrth america
authorities on ornithology
on-site visitors from around the world yearly and another 6
million visitors annually to its website: www.amnh.org.
EVEry spEciEs of bird you ArE likEly to sEE
Museum ornithologists are currently pursuing an ambitious WE stErn
photographic identification More than 360 species most commonly seen in the
program to reconstruct the avian tree of life with DNA WOODPECKERS
Stunning photographs capture the Order Piciformes Family Picidae Species Colaptes auratus Western region of North America are given full-page
technology; the classification of birds used in this book is
beauty and detail of every bird. Northern Flicker buffy forehead rEgion coverage. Each profile comprises a large, crystal-clear
based largely on the work of AMNH ornithologists.
in flight burnidgehrtw yienllgosw gray nape red b photograph of the bird in its most frequently
black crescent “mustache”
Editor-in-chiEf Detailed illustrations show typical IN FLIGHT observed plumage, with supporting images showing
plumage and posture in flight.
MALE MALE (RED-
Lifelong studies of birds make françois Vuilleumier (YELLOW- SHAFTED FORM) the most important variations—subspecies, adult/
SHAFTED FORM)
uniquely qualified to be Editor-in-Chief. After obtaining plumage variation ournadnegriwshin rgesd bbraocwk nwisithh juvenile, male/female, and breeding/nonbreeding.
gray forehead black barring
and crown
a PhD at Harvard University, he started a long association Significant differences between black “mustache” i Superb illustrations accompany the appearance of
subspecies, male and female, juvenile red
with the American Museum of Natural History in New York nape each bird in flight, while in-situ views portray a range
and adult, and breeding and nonbreeding gray
City. Past Chairman of the Department of Ornithology, he is nape
plumages are clearly shown. of behaviors and habitats. Similar-looking species
r
now Curator Emeritus. His research has taken him all over
are also pictured for comparison.
the world, especially South America. Author of about 250 behavior and habitat F(REEMDA-LE M(YAELLLEO W-
SHAFTED FORM) SHAFTED FORM)
Subsidiary images reveal the species
papers and one book, Dr. Vuilleumier taught ornithology I n contrast to other North American woodpeckers, the
exhibiting typical behavior or show Northern Flicker is a ground forager. The two subspecies, MALE informAtion At A glAncE
(RED-SHAFTED
at the College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, Maine. He has the Yellow-shafted Flicker (auratus) in the East, and Red-shafted FORM )
it in its habitat. Flicker (cafer) in the West, interbreed in a wide area in the Great
In every species profile, key features are highlighted
watched birds from the Canadian High Arctic and south Plains. They can be distinguished when in flight, as the underwing
feathers will either be a vivid yellow or
a striking red, as their names indicate. by annotations around each picture, and further
to Mexico. His life list is about 4,000 species, and he is occurrence VOICE Two main calls; loud kew-kew- kew, d
each note ascending at the end; the other,
familiar in the field with all but a handful of the species Maps show where the bird can be seen softer call, described as wicka-wicka-wicka . details of voice, nesting, feeding, migration, habitat,
N ESTING Cavity usually in dead wood, FLIGHT: rapid wing beats followed by glides;
treated in this book. all year, in summer and winter, and b1u btr osoomd;e Mtimaye–s Jiunn lei.v e wood; 6–8 eggs; fewer undulations than most woodpeckers. nomenclature, physical statistics, social groupings,
SHARING CHORES
while migrating. FEEDING Feeds mainly on ants in The Northern Flicker nests in tree cavities, where
breeding season; also fruits in winter. parents take turns incubating eggs. behavior, lifespan, and conservation status are
OCCURRENCE
contributors similar species SIMILAR SPECIES A common species found presented in jargon-free text. Distribution is shown
GILDED FLICKER in woodland in every part
David Bird, PhD Rob Hume Birds that can be difficult to tell apart scceireno npw.a4nm4 6on ohinaft lotfh Aoef l aUCsSak, nata.h dDea us,ro ianungtdh b enrreoner tdhi ng s in simple color-coded maps. In addition to the main
are compared with their tell-tale season, prefers open
Nicholas L. Block Thomas Brodie Johnson FEET ON THE GROUND woodlands and forest
differences highlighted. pbaalcekr brown Uflinclkiekers octahne rb we ofooudnpde cfkoerarsg, ing eisd kgneo; walnso a sbuobuut rtbhsi.s Lbititrlde’ s species, more than 200 rare species are illustrated
Peter Capainolo Kevin T. Karlson for ants on the ground. winter habitat.
and described, while more than 50 vagrant species
Matthew Cormons Stephen Kress, PhD in the field Length 12–13in (31–33cm) Wingspan 19 –21in (48–53cm) Weight 4oz (125g)
Social Solitary Lifespan 9 years Status Secure are listed.

Malcolm Coulter, PhD Paul Lehman Each page contains a section that allows OF nOrth
DATE SEEN WHERE NOTES
you to record your bird-watching activities.
Joseph DiCostanzo William Moskoff, PhD america
Shawneen Finnegan Bill Pranty
WEstErn
Neil Fletcher Michael L. P. Retter
Ted Floyd Noah Strycker rEgion
Printed in2 4C1hina
Jeff Groth, PhD Paul Sweet editor-in-chief
Paul Hess Rodger Titman, PhD
US_240-241_Birds_of_WNA.indd 241 19/10/10 4:35 PM
François Vuilleumier
Brian Hiller Elissa Wolfson
Discover more at
www.dk.com Content previously published in Birds of North America
$19.95 USA
the ULtIMAte PhOtOGRAPhIC GUIde
Jacket images: Front: Garth McElroy. Back: Garth McElroy: tr; Brian E. Small: $21.95 Canada
cr (female & male), crb (birds at nest hole), fcr. Spine: Garth McElroy

BI RDS
OF NORTH AMERICA
WESTERN REGION

BI RDS
OF NORTH AMERICA
Editor-in-Chief
François Vuilleumier
WESTERN REGION
Content previously published in
Birds of North America
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CONTRIBUTORS
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Liz Wheeler Peter Capainolo Rob Hume Elissa Wolfson
Matthew Cormons Thomas Brodie Johnson
Malcolm Coulter, Ph.D. Kevin T. Karlson Map Editor
Art Directors
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CONTENTS
PREFACE 6 SPECIES GUIDE 22
GAMEBIRDS 23
HOW THIS BOOK WORKS 8
WATERFOWL 38
EVOLUTION 1 0
LOONS 70
ANATOMY AND FLIGHT 1 2 TUBENOSES 74
GREBES 80
MIGRATION 14
STORKS, IBISES, AND HERONS 87
COURTSHIP AND MATING 16
PELICANS AND RELATIVES 96
NESTS AND EGGS 1 8 BIRDS OF PREY 102
RAILS AND CRANES 121
IDENTIFICATION 20
SHOREBIRDS, GULLS, 128
AND AUKS
PIGEONS AND DOVES 190
CUCKOOS 195
OWLS 199
NIGHTJARS AND 214
NIGHTHAWKS
SWIFTS AND HUMMINGBIRDS 217
KINGFISHERS 226
WOODPECKERS 228
FLYCATCHERS 243
SHRIKES, VIREOS, JAYS, 261
AND CROWS
WAXWINGS, CHICKADEES, 281
TITMICE, SWALLOWS, LARKS,
AND KINGLETS
WRENS, GNATCATCHERS, 301
NUTHATCHES, TREECREEPERS,
AND THRASHERS
THRUSHES, WAGTAILS, PIPITS, 321
AND DIPPERS
FINCHES 333
WOOD–WARBLERS 346
ORIOLES AND BLACKBIRDS 372
LONGSPURS, AMERICAN 384
SPARROWS, TANAGERS, AND
CARDINALS
RARE SPECIES 418
VAGRANTS 470
Glossary 472
Index 474
Acknowledgments 479
PREFACE
W 
ith its eastern and western volumes, Birds of North America
attempts to fill a gap in the North American bird book market.
No other work offers, for every North American bird species, the same
combination of stunning iconography, including beautiful photographs
and precise distribution maps; scientifically accurate and readable
accounts of salient characteristics; data on identification, behavior, habitat,
voice, social structure, nest construction, breeding season, food, and
conservation status; diagrams of flight patterns; statistics of size, wingspan,
weight, clutch size, number of broods per year, and lifespan; and
geographic information about breeding, wintering, and migration.
THRUSHES Furthermore, no other bird book introduces, in such an up-to-date and
Back in the early 1900s,
lavishly illustrated manner, general material about birds: their evolution,
the great wildlife artist
Louis Agassiz Fuertes already classification, anatomy, flight, migration, navigation, courtship, mating,
painted birds in the style of
nests, and eggs. Scientific jargon has been avoided, but a glossary identifies
modern field guides, as shown
in this plate from Chapman’s concepts that benefit from an explanation. With their user-friendly format,
Handbook of the Birds of
these eastern and western guides to Birds of North America should permit
Eastern North America.
readers either to enjoy studying one species account at a time, or browse
to make cross comparisons.
Many field guides exist, as well as treatises on groups like gulls,
hummingbirds, or sparrows; other books are dictionary-like, or
focus on species of conservation concern. However, no bird book
today can be called a “handbook,” a concise reference work that can
be conveniently carried around. I hope that these books will be useful
in this role to all persons interested in birds, whether young or older,
enthusiastic birder or beginner.
Historically, Birds of North America can be viewed as a successor to Frank
M. Chapman’s epochal Handbook of the Birds of Eastern North America,
published in 1895. During his 54 years at the American Museum
of Natural History in New York City, Chapman, dean of American
ornithologists, blazed a trail that contributed substantially to what
American ornithology, bird conservation, and birding have become.
The facts that the new book has the imprint of the American Museum
of Natural History, and that I, as its Editor-in-Chief, have worked
there for 31 years as Curator of Ornithology and as Chairman of
its Department of Ornithology, are not coincidental.
In his Handbook, Chapman treated all birds found in Eastern
North America. The description of each species was followed by data
on distribution, nest, and eggs, and a readable, often even brilliant text
about habitat, behavior, and voice. The illustrations included plates by two
pioneer American wildlife artists, Louis Agassiz Fuertes and Francis Lee
Jaques, whose style inspired all those who followed them. Some of these
6
EASTERN AND WESTERN REGIONS
In a pioneering essay from 1908, Frank
Chapman realized, on the basis of his
own fieldwork, that the 100th Meridian
corresponded to a rather
clear-cut division of
North American bird Arctic
faunas into an Eastern Circle
and a Western region.
Of course there are exceptions and the
100th Meridian line is not something
that the birds themselves recognize. Western Eastern
The invisible barrier is located in Region Region
a transitional zone between habitats that
represent, respectively, Eastern versus Western
landscape types or biomes. Some, but not all, Tropic of
Cancer
modern field guides use the 100th Meridian
as a division between East and West. 100º W
plates were, already then, executed in field guide fashion. Anybody who
examines Chapman’s Handbook today is struck by how modern it is.
“Museum man” and “birder,” Chapman was also a gifted educator and
a good writer: a rare combination. Museum research gave him the
taxonomic background, and fieldwork throughout North America
sharpened his birding skills. As Editor-in-Chief of Birds of North America,
working in the department Chapman created, enjoying the same
extraordinary collection and library resources, and traveling as widely
as he did, I have endeavored to make this new book a work of
which he would have been proud. Don’t leave home without it––and
bring along binoculars and a pencil to jot down notes.
François Vuilleumier
American Museum of Natural History,
New York City
February 2011
YELLOW GARLAND
Abundant in Western marshes,
the Yellow-headed Blackbird is
not only conspicuous because
of the yellow head of males,
but also because of their loud
and strange vocalizations.
7
HOW THIS BOOK WORKS
HOW THIS BOOK WORKS
T
his guide covers over 600 Western North American COMMON SPECIES
bird species. The species are arranged into three The main section of the
book features the 369 most
sections: the first profiles common species, each being given
commonly seen bird species in
full-page treatment; the second covers rarer birds in quarter-
Western North America. Each
page entries; the third section consists of a list of rare visitors.
entry is clear and detailed,
following the same format.
INTRODUCTION
ORIOLES AND BLACKBIRDS
The species are organized conventionally by GROUP NAME
Order Passeriformes Family Icteridae
order, family, and genus. Related birds appear The common name of the
together, preceded by a group introduction. group the species belong to Bullock’s Oriole
The book follows the most up-to-date avian is at the top of each page. black cap
and nape
classification system, based on the latest COMMON NAME orange
large white face
scientific research. IN FLIGHT wing patch
Illustrations show the black back
bird in flight, from above MALE and wings
and/or below—differences
conspicuous
of season, age, or sex are white wing
patch
not always visible.
Family Icteridae
ORIOLES & BLACKBIRDS DESCRIPTION IN FLIGHT
Conveys the main features
THE ICTERIDS EXEMPLIFY the wonderful COWBIRDS
diversity that exists among birds. Most Cowbirds are strictly parasitic birds, and have been and essential character of
icterids are common and widespread, known to lay their eggs in the nests of nearly
occurring from coast to coast. They 3sp0e0c ideisf fienr eNnto brtihrd a nd the species including:
are present in nearly every habitat in South America. The
Nanodr tFhlo Arimdae rtioc at,h fero bmo rtehael faorrieds tS ozounthew est mAmaleesr iocfa na llc othwrebeir dN orth VOICE
iTifnnroh tcmeho e slspo onerl,oc itniraetershsy t,r ietonhvrgeoi,o auallg neahsd t trnsoeoo mcvti aeaisnnlt dbtchoeoheulo astv nuviinaoerdrsi —re at.y sibpadpnliuleedlnscm iitaemianfsgi dmeea d.r daTe tab uhrryekre ea,t sdhfi erieamliriydre ae tlsdhecrsiea cnbkt SAdaUltrhkBo, TuthgLehE Ci tosB mpRlmuImLonLa gIGAer aNisc kC leE Aca dllse sacnridp tsioonng osf, gthivee snp ecies’ ournadnegrep arts MALE
of comparatively drab blackbirds. One by comparison. displays a beautiful iridescence. phonetically where possible. black tail
gonrobol inugepas ttoo, frb yiuc btt erloraiyod dtsh, ptehairer a ecsgiotgewss .b iTnir hdtehs,ye a mrneea sktse BTfehLatiAhs egCrrsoK, uaBnpId oR tfh DbeiiSrrd ls&o ins Ggla, RrpgoeAilnyCt ecKdo vLbeEirleSlsd a wndit hta idlsa rgki ve NESTING wofeuiatthteh roe rrsange ganrady tloeegss
of other birds, mostly small songbirds. tchoelomre ad satrse saommlien eodf tahpep oeathraenrc iec.t Neriodts ,a sth bersiell iaarnet ly The type of nest and its usual
ORIOLES among the most numerous birds on the continent.
Orioles are common seasonal migrants to After the breeding season they gather in huge location; the number of eggs
North America. They are generally recognized flocks, and form an impressive sight.
balyth tohueigrh c soonmtrea sstpinegc ibesla tcekn dan md oorrea ntogwe aprldu m age, MEADOWLARKS in a clutch; the number of Bullock’s Oriole is the western counterpart of the Baltimo
yellow or chestnut shades. Orioles construct Meadowlarks occur in both behavior and habitat. The two were considered t
intricate hanging nests which display an in both South and broods in a year; the
impressive combination of engineering and North America. belong to a single species, the Northern Oriole (I. galbula),
waneda vmineglo. Mdioousts osorinogl ea nspde schieosw h atovele ara lnocued Tspheec iNes ohratvhe A ymelelorwic an breeding season. because they interbreed where they overlap in the Great Plai
opof phuulmara tnhsr, oau cgohmoubitn tahteioirn r athnagte .m Bauklelos cthke’sm bArmeaesrtsi,c abnu ts ptheec iSeso usptho rt FEEDING Recent studies, however, suggest that they are separate specie
Oriole is the only oriole species that is bright red breasts. Unlike many other orioles, Bullock’s is more resistant to broo
woShotaihbdueiettrhss p wworeefe sasottd ero iraornn l sedsosp uceaotcrhemiee mrms naio xrTneee dxrie:na sB stt. ruhTilechl otWeec dkme s’tstio g; O rtahrtieoo r ley OMcIto niemsla ymdd iotfohwfinecll aWuyrl ktie n stb toter hertenee ld Wl s est. BAvmo IaMiGcneey Va irsduO oaraIw dlC lelaaEfrinkn d’isns cgma fepeleoastd.u ioreu sin Hspoewci,e ws hfeeered,s a onnd. what the pVaOraICsiEte sV aanride dre smtroinvge so cfo ownbei-r da nedg gtws foro-pma ritt sn noetests. often mumb
masoniudgt rAhaetlteransm sToieruaxt’ash s O.inr itohlee sf aalrle, wsehdielen tAaruyd uinb o n’s acwpoiauthrnt tafe rrboplmaacr kti,t seb xeibac,se tapentrd nb ya siwts eseotn sgin, ygeinllog wvo cihcee.s t SIMILAR SPECIES aNtE tShTeI NenGd ; Hsimaniglairn gto b, basukte lte ossf mweolvoedni opulas,n tth satnri pths elo Bcaaltteidm aotr eth
NECTAR LOVER Similar-looking species branches; 4–5 eggs; 1 brood; March–June.
The magnificently colored
Binatlot imthoer be aOseri oolfe ain fsloewrtse ri,t sta bkiilnl g are identified and key FEEDING Forages for insects, in particular
tirnah repe on ilnelic ntthaaetr,i oWbnue.t sT tph.lias ysinpgec nieos pisa rt differences pointed out. ganrads sshpoidpepresr; sn aencdta rc aatnedrp firlulairts w, bhuetn a lasvoa ialnabtsl,e b.eetles,
LENGTH, WINGSPAN,
AND WEIGHT SIMILAR SPECIES
Length is tip of tail to tip of HOODED ORIOLE BALTIMORE ORIOLE
see p.463 see p.463
bill; measurements and weights ohreaandge black faceblack hood
are averages or ranges.
SOCIAL OBLIV
long, slender less white This mal
The social unit the species is black tail in wings perches
usually found in. thorns, b
LIFESPAN Length 61⁄2 –71⁄2in (16–19cm) Wingspan 10–12in (25–30cm
The length of life, in years, Social Pairs/Flocks Lifespan Up to 8 years
MAPS
obtained from either zoo birds
or from banding and recovery DATE SEEN WHERE
In this book, North America is defined as the area from
records of wild birds. The
the southern tip of Florida and the US–Mexico border
actual average or maximum
northward to the Canadian High Arctic. Each species
life expectancy of many bird
profile includes a map showing its range, with different
species is still unknown.
colors reflecting seasonal movements.
STATUS
The conservation status of the
species; (p) means the data 374
KEY available is only provisional.
Resident
all year
HABITAT/BEHAVIOR
SYMBOLS
Breeding Photographs reveal the
distribution
2 Male 9 Spring species in its habitat or
dNisotnrbibrueteidoinng 1 Female 8 Summer show interesting behavior.
5 Juvenile 6 Autumn
D uring
migration 4 Immature 7 Winter
8