Woodpeckers of North America - Hardcover

Backhouse, Frances

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1554070465 ISBN 13: 9781554070466

Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd, 2005

Synopsis

A comprehensive, profusely illustrated natural history of all 28 North American species of woodpeckers.

The distinctive behavior and sound of woodpeckers make them easy to hear and interesting to watch. Woodpeckers of North America specifically covers all species of woodpeckers found in the United States, Canada and northern Mexico.

Woodpeckers are renowned for their cavity-excavating abilities. Although trees and telephone poles are the choice of most woodpeckers, desert dwellers frequently excavate nests in cacti. While all eat insects, many drink tree sap, eat acorns, and consume other surprising foods.

Woodpeckers are distinguished by several anatomical features, including:

• short legs and long toes to assist in climbing
• a head built to withstand repeated hammering
• a long, straight bill designed for chopping wood
• a long tongue with a barbed end to extract hidden prey
• nostrils covered with feathers to keep them free of wood debris.

100 color photographs capture the intriguing woodpeckers in their natural environments. Woodpeckers of North America is a handy, well-written reference covering the biology and environment of these fascinating birds.

About this title

Review:

Excellent insight into woodpeckers... birders and ornithologists, nature photographers and others interested in woodpeckers will welcome having this informative book.

Beautifully illustrated text... large color photographs of most species.

This gorgeous book is packed with fascinating information and lovely color photographs.

Informative text and superb photographs and drawings... nontechnical and engaging. -- T.C. Williams "Choice" (06/01/2006)

A well-produced and attractive tome ... and one that is well worth reading.... Recommended. -- David A. Christie "Ibis" (03/01/2007)

One of the most the most helpful and interesting chapters is on the effects human activities have on these birds. -- Connie Krochmal "BellaOnline" (03/27/2006)

Covers everything from nesting, feeding habits and social arrangements to just how the heck that head can stand repeated hammerings. -- Kevin Walker "Tampa Tribune" (10/16/2005)

Details about woodpeckers that makes ordinary people react with pleasant surprise... lots and lots of full-color photographs. -- Richard Watts "Victoria Times-Colonist" (10/02/2005)

Informative book... This volume is a useful introductory reference to the fascinating avian group as well as an enjoyable read. -- John P. Roche "Quarterly Review of Biology" (06/01/2006)

Not only good information about and photographs of woodpeckers, but her anatomy section has information that probably escaped most birders. -- Sharon Wootton "Olympia Olympian" (11/05/2005)

About the Author:

Frances Backhouse has written articles for Audubon, Equinox, Canadian Geographic, New Scientist and Canadian Wildlife.

About this edition

• Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1554070465
• ISBN 13: 9781554070466
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 232