This is a list of good general print sources on raptors. These might be a useful starting place for those just getting interested in raptors, or would make great reference books for seasoned raptor enthusiasts.
Brown, Leslie. Birds of Prey: Their Biology and Ecology. London: Hamlyn, 1976.
- Zoology Library / QL696.F3 B75
- Full of illustrations and black and white and color photographs, this source contains chapters on everything from raptor classification to nomadism to breeding biology. Also has a helpful index, bibliography, and appendices.
Clark, William S., and Brian K. Wheeler. A Field Guide to Hawks of North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2001.
- Zoology Library / QL696.F3 C59 2001 c.1
- Your first raptor field guide! Field guides are books designed for quick and easy reference for identification of raptors in the wild. Don’t let the name fool you, this book doesn’t just cover hawks, but eagles, vultures, falcons, kites, just about everybody but owls. A nice small size for carrying on the field, this book is full of color photographs and range maps, and includes a “How to use this book”section and list of terms. Now get out there and identify some raptors!
Ferguson-Lees, James, and David A. Christie. Raptors of the World. Princeton field guides. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 2005.
- Zoology Library / QL696.F3 F47 2005
- One of the most up-to-date general sources on raptors at UNC, this is a great introductory book because it begins with a list of species and subspecies for easy reference, an introduction, tons of color illustrations (as well as a guide to the plates), and a “How to use this book” section. Also includes interesting features such as a guide to the English names of raptors, and sections on sexual dimorphism and orders of raptor population sizes.
König, Claus, Friedhelm Weick, and J. H. Becking. Owls: A Guide to the Owls of the World. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1999.
- Zoology Library / QL696.S8 K66 1999 c.1
- A good general source on owls, this book contains a VERY detailed table of contents for easy browsing, and may be used as an identification guide as well as an information source on owl ecology and biology, especially for some of the rarer species. Also contains sixty-four pages of detailed color illustrations.
Weidensaul, Scott. The Raptor Almanac. New York, NY: Lyons Press, 2000.
- Zoology Library / QL696.F3 W443 2000
- One of the best general sources for beginning your learning adventure into the world of raptors, this book has a very navigatable table of contents divided into four sections: Hunters on the Wind (introductory information, what is a raptor? etc), Ecology and Natural History, Conservation, and Raptors in the Human World. This source has a textbook-like layout, with many color photos and captions, tables, illustrations, and maps throughout. This is a source I’d love to have at home.
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