Originally published: Orlando, Fla.: Academic, 1995.

The bestselling guide to hawks is now completely revised and in full color, with 40 color plates and 140 color photos. Up-to-date maps show ranges for each season, and the text covers all 39 diurnal raptors seen in North America.

The essential field guide to the raptors of Mexico and Central America Raptors are among the most challenging birds to identify in the field due to their bewildering variability of plumage, flight silhouettes, and behavior. Raptors of Mexico and Central America is the first illustrated guide to the region's 69 species of raptors, including vagrants. It features 32 stunning color plates and 213 color photos, and a distribution map for each regularly occurring species. Detailed species accounts describe key identification features, age-related plumages, status and distribution, subspecies, molt, habitats, behaviors, potential confusion species, and more. Raptors of Mexico and Central America is the essential field guide to this difficult bird group and the ideal travel companion for anyone visiting this region of the world. Covers all 69 species of raptors found in Mexico and Central America Features 32 color plates and hundreds of color photos Provides multiple illustrations of each species Depicts and describes variations in plumage by individual, morph, age, and region Describes behavior, food preferences, hunting strategies, vocalizations, and molt Covers rare and extralimital species Includes distribution maps and flight silhouettes

Birds of Prey of the West and its companion volume, Birds of Prey of the East, are the most comprehensive and authoritative field guides to North American birds of prey ever published. Written and lavishly illustrated with stunning, lifelike paintings by leading field-guide illustrator, photographer, and author Brian Wheeler, the guides depict an enormous range of variations of age, sex, color, and plumage, and feature a significant amount of plumage data that has never been published before. The painted figures illustrate plumage and species comparisons in a classic field-guide layout. Each species is shown in the same posture and from the same viewpoint, which further assists comparisons. Facing-page text includes quick-reference identification points and brief natural history accounts that incorporate the latest information. The range maps are exceptionally accurate and much larger than those in other guides. They plot the most up-to-date distribution information for each species and include the location of cities for more accurate reference. Finally, the guides feature color habitat photographs next to the maps. The result sets a new standard for guides to North America's birds of prey. Lavishly illustrated with stunning, lifelike paintings Written and illustrated by a leading authority on North American birds of prey Depicts more plumages than any other guide Concise facing-page text includes quick-reference identification points Classic field-guide layout makes comparing species easy Large, accurate range maps include up-to-date distribution information Unique color habitat photographs next to the maps

From majestic Bald Eagles to tiny Elf Owls, raptors are nature’s most fascinating and powerful birds. As predators with wide ranging habitats and food sources, raptors also serve as a litmus test for the health of their ecosystems. To preserve a species such as the Everglade Kite or Spotted Owl is to ensure the survival of many other creatures. Ornithologists Noel and Helen Snyder have spent nearly fifty years studying and photographing birds of prey in their natural habitat. The result of decades of firsthand field studies combined with key biological and conservation studies by other experts, Raptors of North America presents a comprehensive and captivating account of our continent’s birds of prey. Readers will meet the nocturnal raptors, the owls, and the diurnal raptors: hawks, harriers, kites, falcons, eagles, ospreys, vultures, and condors. This book was an editor's choice of the Scientific American Book Club.

"Hans Peeters has done it again. His stellar Field Guide to Owls of California and the West is a fitting companion to his recent, acclaimed Raptors of California. Owls is not only an excellent field guide, but also an amazing primer on owl biology and behavior. It sets a new standard and, what's more, is both a visual treat and a captivating read."--Clay Sutton, coauthor of How to Spot an Owl and other books "An enjoyable and wonderfully illustrated companion to Raptors of California. Treating the relatively familiar Great Horned Owl and obliging Burrowing Owl with the same skill as those ghostly forest species that are rarely more than disembodied voices for most of us, this book provides keen insights on the natural history of our most mysterious group of birds and sheds light on the complex conservation issues that face many owl species."--Kimball L. Garrett, Ornithology Collections Manager, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County "This is the owl book I've been waiting for. Peeters has delivered an exquisitely illustrated, thoroughly researched, and engagingly written guide that will be as valuable to young students as it will be to seasoned biologists."--Allen Fish, Director, Golden Gate Raptor Observatory

A photographic field guide of North American birds provides color photographs of birds in their natural habitat and discusses their physical characteristics, habitats, behaviors, songs, and migration routes.