This section lists print resources which focus on particular interest areas in the study of raptors, including: Regions (both local to North Carolina and international), Species, and Other interesting particulars. Scroll down to see all of these.
Regional
Resources on Local Raptors:
Clark, Neal. Eastern Birds of Prey: A Guide to the Private Lives of Eastern Raptors. Thorndike, Me: Thorndike Press, 1983.
- Zoology Library / QL696.F3 C58 1983
- Each brief chapter covers a particular species of raptor, with introductory remarks, observation guidelines, and and natural history, with black and white photographs. A great introductory resource to local birds of prey; the observation guidelines would be especially helpful for those hoping to spot and identify a raptor or two around town.
Southeast Raptor Management Symposium and Workshop, and Beth A. Giron Pendleton. Proceedings of the Southeast Raptor Management Symposium and Workshop. Washington, D.C.: National Wildlife Federation, 1990.
- Zoology Library / QL696.F3 S686 1988
- Twenty-eight papers on topics including managing the human element in raptor conservation, raptor population and habitat management, surveying and monitoring techniques, and research, management, and education issues and recommendations for southeastern birds of prey.
Wheeler, Brian K. Raptors of Eastern North America. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 2003.
- QL677.78 .W53 2003 c.1
- One of my favorite raptor reference sources! This book has some of the most up to date print information available on UNC’s campus, it contains glossaries on general raptor anatomy, pumage, molt, age, flying and perching displays, and a key to the color range maps, as well as separate sections on each raptor species found in eastern North American, with fabulous color photographs. There is even a poem called “Raptor Music,” By Steve Millard. A great reference for novices and hardcore researchers alike.
Sources on Other Regions:
Cook, William E. Avian Desert Predators. Adaptations of desert organisms. Berlin: Springer, 1997.
- Zoology Library / QL696.F3 C66 1997
- This book focuses on specific behavioral, anatomical, and physiological adaptations made by particular groups of desert birds, including vultures, hawks, roadrunners, owls, and shrikes (some of which may not traditionally be considered “raptors”- for more on this distinction, see the explanation on the front page of this pathfinder). Contains illustrations and black and white photographs.
Forsman, Dick. The Raptors of Europe and the Middle East: A Handbook of Field Identification. London: Poyser, 1999.
- Zoology Library / QL696.F3 F67 1998 c.1
- A very detailed field guide to identification of raptors commonly found in Europe and the Middle East. Includes such helpful features as a “How to use this book” section, list of abbreviations and terminology, and tons of illustrations and color photographs.
By Species
Enderson, James. Peregrine Falcon: Stories of the Blue Meanie. The Corrie Herring Hooks series, no. 60. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2005.
- Zoology Library / QL696.F34 E54 2005
- A memoir of ornithologist Jim Enderson’s studies of Peregrine Falcons and his efforts to restore their population. This book contains entertaining, narrative anecdotes alongside biology and natural history of Peregrines, with photographs and illustrations; a great book for novice falcon enthusiasts.
Gehlbach, Frederick R. The Eastern Screech Owl: Life History, Ecology, and Behavior in the Suburbs and Countryside. The W.L. Moody, Jr., natural history series, no. 16. College Station: Texas A & M University Press, 1994.
- Zoology Library / QL696.S83 G44 1994
- The subtitle says it all. One of my favorite owls, this softball-sized little guy is a North Carolina native.
Nero, Robert W. The Great Gray Owl: Phantom of the Northern Forest. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1980.
- Zoology Library / QL696.S8 N47
- A short narrative of the studies of scientist Robert Nero of the Great Grey Owl, whom some of you may recognize as Harry Potter’s Errol. Includes black and white photographs.
Snyder, Noel F. R., and Helen Snyder. The California Condor: A Saga of Natural History and Conservation. AP natural world. San Diego: Academic Press, 2000.
- Zoology Library / QL696.F33 S69 2000 c.1
- This fabulous book about one of earth’s most endangered creatures, the California Condor, is chock-full of impressive color photographs. This source is very accessible to beginners, but is no light overview: here you will find everything from natural history to very detailed accounts of world-wide efforts to restore this species.
Taylor, Iain. Barn Owls: Predator-Prey Relationships and Conservation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1994.
- Zoology Library / QL696.S85 T38 1994
- Practically everything you’d ever want to know about the “ghost owl,” including diet, ecology, behavior, breeding and nesting, etc. This raptor is native to North Carolina.
Wilbur, Sanford R., and Jerome A. Jackson. Vulture Biology and Management. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1983.
- Zoology Library / QL696.F32 V84 1983
- Provides detailed information on the biology, natural history, behaviors, and habitats of one of my favorite raptors, the vulture. This book discusses vultures found all over the world, and contains especially interesting sections on research and management techniques for vultures, effects of environmental contaminants on vultures, and vultures and man.
Other
Bildstein, Keith L. Migrating Raptors of the World: Their Ecology & Conservation. Ithaca, N.Y.: Comstock Pub. Associates, 2006.
- Zoology Library / QL677.78 .B55 2006
- This is a detailed source for learning about raptor migration, including everything from the origins and evolution of raptor migrations, to flight strategies, to “Great Hawkwatches,” which are established migration sites that provide opportunities for seeing many migrating raptors alongside seasoned hawkwatchers who can identify them.
Bird, David Michael, Daniel E. Varland, and Juan José Negro. Raptors in Human Landscapes: Adaptations to Built and Cultivated Environments. London: Academic Press, 1996.
- Zoology Library / QL696.F3 R367 1996
- An extensive collection of essays about raptors living in urban landscapes, artificial nesting sites, cultivated landscapes, industrial landscapes, and “Raptors at Large”- a section on raptor responses to humans and altered environments.
Dunne, Pete, David Sibley, and Clay Sutton. Hawks in Flight: The Flight Identification of North American Migrant Raptors. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1988.
- Zoology Library / QL696.F3 D86 1988
- As the subtitle suggests, this is a flight identification guide for North American migrant raptors (not just hawks!). A nice small size for carrying on bird-watching excursions, this book is divided into interesting sections by species, such as “Accipiters: The Artful Dodgers” and “The Northern Harrier: The Great Fooler.” Contains illustrations of birds in flight and a section of black and white photographs at the end.
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