
The Behavior of Texas Birds
Kent Rylander(Author)
University of Texas Press
Published on 1. August 2002
Book
Paperback/Softback
443 pages
978-0-292-77120-8 (ISBN)
Description
Whether it's the sudden, plunging dives of Brown Pelicans, the singing and aerial displays of Northern Mockingbirds, or the communal nesting of Purple Martins, innate and learned behaviors are some of the most fascinating things to observe in Texas birds. Even casual birdwatchers eventually ask, "why do they do that?" while serious birders and ornithologists seek to understand all the behaviors involved in feeding, flying, mating, and rearing young. But until now, it has been hard to find this information in one handy source.
In this comprehensive, yet easy-to-use book, Kent Rylander distills data from many sources to provide an authoritative guide to the behavior of Texas birds. He begins by explaining the principles of animal behavior and illustrating how they can be applied to interpreting bird behaviors in the field. The majority of the book is devoted to accounts of more than 400 species of birds that are most likely to be encountered by Texas birdwatchers. Each account describes such behaviors as feeding, courtship, parenting, and other behaviors that are significant for that species. References to interesting and important articles from scientific journals are incorporated in the species accounts where appropriate, and line drawings illustrate some of the behaviors described.
In this comprehensive, yet easy-to-use book, Kent Rylander distills data from many sources to provide an authoritative guide to the behavior of Texas birds. He begins by explaining the principles of animal behavior and illustrating how they can be applied to interpreting bird behaviors in the field. The majority of the book is devoted to accounts of more than 400 species of birds that are most likely to be encountered by Texas birdwatchers. Each account describes such behaviors as feeding, courtship, parenting, and other behaviors that are significant for that species. References to interesting and important articles from scientific journals are incorporated in the species accounts where appropriate, and line drawings illustrate some of the behaviors described.
Reviews / Votes
"This book definitely provides material that is otherwise unavailable in a concise format on Texas birds... For this reason, I think it will be an important resource for professional ornithologists, as well as birders." Mark Lockwood, Secretary of the Texas Birds Records Committee, Texas Ornithological SocietyMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Austin, TX
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
14 b&w illus.
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
639 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-292-77120-8 (9780292771208)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Kent Rylander is Professor of Biological Sciences at Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
Content
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Abbreviations
Species Accounts
Loons: Order Gaviiformes
Grebes: Order Podicipediformes
Tube-nosed Swimmers: Order Procellariiformes
Totipalmate Birds: Order Pelecaniformes
Herons, Ibises, Storks, American Vultures, and Allies: Order Ciconiiformes
Screamers, Swans, Geese, and Ducks: Order Anseriformes
Diurnal Birds of Prey: Order Falconiformes
Gallinaceous Birds: Order Galliformes
Rails, Cranes, and Allies: Order Gruiformes
Shorebirds, Gulls, Auks, and Allies: Order Charadriiformes
Pigeons and Doves: Order Columbiformes
Parakeets and Parrots: Order Psittaciformes
Cuckoos and Allies: Order Cuculiformes
Owls: Order Strigiformes
Goatsuckers and Allies: Order Caprimulgiformes
Swifts and Hummingbirds: Order Apodiformes
Kingfishers and Allies: Order Coraciiformes
Woodpeckers and Allies: Order Piciformes
Passerine Birds: Order Passeriformes
Appendix: Species Not Treated
References
Index
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Abbreviations
Species Accounts
Loons: Order Gaviiformes
Grebes: Order Podicipediformes
Tube-nosed Swimmers: Order Procellariiformes
Totipalmate Birds: Order Pelecaniformes
Herons, Ibises, Storks, American Vultures, and Allies: Order Ciconiiformes
Screamers, Swans, Geese, and Ducks: Order Anseriformes
Diurnal Birds of Prey: Order Falconiformes
Gallinaceous Birds: Order Galliformes
Rails, Cranes, and Allies: Order Gruiformes
Shorebirds, Gulls, Auks, and Allies: Order Charadriiformes
Pigeons and Doves: Order Columbiformes
Parakeets and Parrots: Order Psittaciformes
Cuckoos and Allies: Order Cuculiformes
Owls: Order Strigiformes
Goatsuckers and Allies: Order Caprimulgiformes
Swifts and Hummingbirds: Order Apodiformes
Kingfishers and Allies: Order Coraciiformes
Woodpeckers and Allies: Order Piciformes
Passerine Birds: Order Passeriformes
Appendix: Species Not Treated
References
Index