[TN-Bird] National Geographic 6th ed.
- From: kbreault <kbreault@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:16:19 -0800 (PST)
TN birders may be interested in picking up the latest edition (6th) of National
Geographic's Field Guide to the Birds of North America (2011) by Jon Dunn &
Jonathan Alderfer. I just got my copy over the weekend. The book has 990
species
(92 accidentals) with the large pictures typical of previous
editions. Impressive to me are the maps by Paul Lehman that include, among
other
things, the ranges of ABA Area birds south of the U.S. (interested in the
migration routes of the Swallow-tailed Kite beyond our shores?), color-coded
ranges for fall and spring migration (one is left to ponder anew about the
large
migrational divergence of the Hudsonian Godwit, White-rumped Sandpiper and
other
shorebirds), and a large number of subspecies maps (among others,
Red-shouldered
Hawk should interest TN birders). Still missing is a way to indicate the
abundance of birds within their ranges (birds more common in their respective
ranges should be darker). Perhaps for the 7th edition?
I still have issues with some of the descriptions--usually not enough
diagnostic
description for my taste, e.g., one recent TN conundrum: female Ruby-throated
and Black-chinned Hummingbirds. The more I think about it the continually
pumping tail when hovering of the Black-chinned is diagnostic but you won't
find
it in this edition. One curiosity, given the status of the bird, is the very
large discussion of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Doubly curious from a
scientific point of view (in which we try to let the data speak for itself),
are
the final words, "Continued reports of sightings in FL and elsewhere may
include
leucistic Pileated Woodpeckers, but these sightings that lack provable evidence
more likely represent wishful thinking. The finality of a species' total
extinction is difficult for many to accept." While it may be unsatisfactory for
some, there is at least enough evidence to suggest that the party line should
be
that the final status of the bird remains uncertain at this point. There is a
reason why the most important words in science are: we don't know.
Despite these small criticisms, NG6 is a great field guide well worth the
investment. Of course, for beginners field guide is something of a
misnomer. You
will get more out of it when it is in your study or near your bed than in your
field jacket.
Kevin Breault
Brentwood, TN
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