1) Lambert, Frank.
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: Inhabiting tropical and subtropical forests of the Old World,
pittas, broadbills and asities include some of the most beautiful,
elusive and sought-after birds on the planet. Pittas are medium-sized,
insectivorous terrestrial birds that are rather thrushlike in their
behaviour. Most are brilliantly coloured, generally solitary, and have a
well-deserved reputation for secretive, skulking habits, adding to the
challenge of seeing them in their often dark environment. The 52 species
of pitta largely occur from Asia through Wallacea to New Guinea and
Australia, with two (perhaps three) species in Africa.
Broadbills
are very different to pittas, being typically chunky birds with large
heads, broad flattened beaks and short legs. The majority are colourful
and sociable, but none are terrestrial. Three are highly frugivorous,
but the others are largely insectivorous. They form a diverse group of
18 species in nine genera, of which four species are confined to Africa,
with the rest in Asia.
The four species of asities form an
endemic Madagascan family. Two species are similar to broadbills, but
the other two resemble sunbirds, even in their feeding habits. Breeding
males have facial wattles (as do two broadbill species).
The
first monograph of these three groups was published in 1996; this book,
by the same author, is its follow-up. Completely revised and updated, it
draws together a wealth of material from the literature and from online
and unpublished sources to provide the ultimate reference to these
fascinating birds, from taxonomy and identification to habitat
requirements, biology and ecology, accompanied by a stunning
photographic selection, and the art of Martin Woodcock.
RECOMMENDATION: The page count has increased from 271 to 480. This book is a MUST-HAVE for anyone with an interest in these birds!
2) Floyd, Ted.
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: This new edition of the trusted National Geographic field guide
combines fresh new text, updated taxonomy, expanded art including 240
new illustrations, and authoritative, data-derived maps, organized in
the user-friendly format for which our field guides are known.
For
the first time including the birds of Hawaii as well as Alaska, Canada,
and the continental United States—a total of 1,150 bird species—all
these revisions make this new edition the most authoritative birding
book on the market, whether you have treasured our previous editions for
decades or you are selecting a bird field guide for the first time
ever.
Written by Ted Floyd, editor of the American Birding Association's Birding
magazine, this new edition features larger pages and flexible yet
durable paperback binding, with thumb tabs and a visual index inside the
covers for quick reference.
Its easy-to-read layout includes:
- convenient page layout, with maps and text on the left and matching art on the right
- up-to-date taxonomic organization [through 2023 in main text with appendix D listing 2024 changes]
- new maps developed with eBird data from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- key statistics in bulleted lists
- new text, emphasizing not only bird IDs but also habitats and evolution
- images by the world's top bird illustrators, including important details
- annotations on the images, pointing to field marks critical for identification
Combining
exciting new features with tried-and-true traditions, this new edition
of a beloved field guide will satisfy birders young and old, experienced
life-listers and backyard birdwatchers alike.
RECOMMENDATION: This book was formerly titled: Field Guide to the Birds of North America. Although the page count remains the same, this edition is physically larger than the seventh. Biggest changes between editions (besides the authors) are the inclusion of Hawaiian birds and the species are listed by genera. The in flight plates have been removed. Plus the font in the main text is pale and hard to see. The biggest weakness for this book is the range maps. They lack the subspecies info (and the separate subspecies maps) from the 7th, the political boundaries and the yellow color are both hard to see (but better than in the East/West guides published in February 2025). They also lack lines showing extralimital occurrences. This book is best for more experienced birders.
3) Bannick, Paul.
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: Woodpeckers are one of the most remarkable bird species found in the avian world. They have evolved in ways that make them ecologically critical to forest health, serving as keystone species in a variety of wooded habitats across North America. Their activities support a variety of other creatures, making them catalysts of diversity in the places they inhabit. They are, in many ways, the heartbeat of the forest.
Informed by his own experiences in the field as well as extensive research, author and photographer Paul Bannick delves into the natural and cultural history of woodpeckers from the boreal forest of northern Canada to oak woodlands and conifer forests in the United States to the wet tropical forests of Mexico and the Caribbean. He captures the woodpeckers’ charismatic behavior as well as their colorful displays and sensitive habitats in astonishing images. And with accessible, science-based text, Bannick explores their courtship and nest selection process in spring; life in the nest during summer; fledging and gaining independence in autumn; and the challenges of winter survival. He compares and contrasts typical behavior and anomalies among the 41 woodpecker species in North America, and shares their conservation outlook for the future. Robust captions, interesting sidebars, and a comprehensive field guide round out this extraordinary volume.
RECOMMENDATION: This book also includes species from Mexico and the Caribbean. It's a must-have for those who enjoyed the author's other works! A 2026 "The Owl and the Woodpecker" wall calendar is also available.
4)
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: Anoles are highly visible and aesthetically pleasing lizards
that are abundant throughout Central and South America. The subjects of
countless evolutionary and ecological studies that have advanced our
understanding of basic principles in biology, these colorful reptiles
are notoriously difficult to identify, and species names are often
confusing and inconsistent. A Guide to the Anolis Lizards (Anoles) of Mainland Central and South America
is the first book to enable the identification of all known species of
anole in the region while establishing baseline knowledge for further
research. Drawing on the latest findings, this comprehensive field
companion and taxonomic reference is the ultimate guide to these
extraordinary lizards.
- Provides the first stable taxonomy of mainland anoles while aiding field identification of these marvelous neotropical reptiles
- Features hundreds of stunning photos depicting most species, including several species never before photographed
- Describes the key identification features and natural history of over 200 species of mainland anoles
- Facilitates scientific research on evolution, ecology, and species discovery
- An ideal travel companion for ecotourists and other visitors to Central and South America
- Accompanied by an online identification key
RECOMMENDATION: This book is a must-have for those with a serious interest in these lizards!
5) Bessette, Alan et al.. University of Texas Press. Hardbound: 188 pages. Price:
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: Gasteroid fungi are one of the most diverse groups of mushrooms. Unlike the majority of mushrooms that produce spores externally, these unusual fungi produce spores within their fruitbodies. Puffballs, Earthstars, Stinkhorns, and Other Gasteroid Fungi of Eastern North America is the first color-illustrated reference guide for this unique group of fungi in North America.
Providing information for the identification of more than one hundred species, it includes keys based on macroscopic features, detailed species descriptions with both common and scientific names, accurate and beautiful color images, and key identification features. Additionally, the book contains a plethora of useful information about the biology of gasteroid fungi, current taxonomy, mechanisms of spore dispersal, as well as fun facts. A much-needed volume from well-known mycologists Alan and Arleen Bessette, William Roody, and Dianna Smith, this comprehensive book is a must-have for all fungi enthusiasts, from mushroom hunting hobbyists to professional mycologists.
RECOMMENDATION: This book is a must-have for those with a serious interest in these fungi!
