Product Description

Kansas is a bird-watcher's paradise, with its key location at the hub of the hemisphere's migration corridors and exceptional habitat diversity; 470 avian species have been documented within its borders. From spectacularly beautiful birds like Painted Buntings to elegant migrants like Hudsonian Godwits, birders can find abundant rewards every time they take to the field.

The Guide to Kansas Birds and Birding Hot Spots focuses on 295 species that are most likely to be encountered in the state. It helps occasional day-trippers or backyard observers identify and learn about birds that regularly occur in Kansas, with stunning color photos that enable those new to the hobby to identify their discoveries, plus tips on where to search for these species with the greatest likelihood of success.

Gress and Janzen have produced an exceptionally well-organized guide that divides birds into 18 groups based on similarity in appearance, habitat, or behavior, following taxonomic order only partially to make identification easier for the beginner. The entry for each bird gives its size, identifying features (including sexual and seasonal distinctions), and where and when it can be found. And each account includes a brilliant color photo of an adult of the species, with additional views of selected birds to illustrate male, female, or juvenile plumages.

The authors point out the best birding locations in the state--more than two dozen hot spots of which they have intimate knowledge--that reflect utterly different bird communities thriving only a few hours apart. They also provide a checklist for all state birds, a calendar of Kansas bird activity, and recommendations for binoculars and other field guides.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #400281 in Books
• Published on: 2008-03-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 354 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780700615650
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review
"A wonderful book. Gress and Janzen have national reputations and world-class skills, and you could not ask for better guides to introduce you to the birdlife of the great state of Kansas." Kenn Kaufman, author of the Kaufman Focus Guides "This is a veritable Baedeker for Kansas bird lovers - the text is jammed with useful information, and the color plates are spectacular." Paul Johnsgard, author of Prairie Birds "A delightful and authoritative introduction to Kansas birds with a wealth of information, on how and where to find them." William H. Busby, coauthor of Kansas Breeding Bird Atlas"

From the Back Cover
"A wonderful book. Gress and Janzen have national reputations and world-class skills, and you could not ask for better guides to introduce you to the birdlife of the great state of Kansas."--Kenn Kaufman, author of the Kaufman Focus Guides

"This is a veritable Baedeker for Kansas bird lovers--the text is jammed with useful information, and the color plates are spectacular."--Paul Johnsgard, author of Prairie Birds

"A delightful and authoritative introduction to Kansas birds with a wealth of information, on how and where to find them."--William H. Busby, coauthor of Kansas Breeding Bird Atlas

About the Author
Bob Gress is director of the Great Plains Nature Center in Wichita and coauthor of Faces of the Great Plains: Prairie Wildlife and Watching Kansas Wildlife: A Guide to 101 Sites. His stunning wildlife photography has appeared in many publications.

Pete Janzen is active in the Kansas Ornithological Society and the Wichita Audubon Society and is author of The Birds of Sedgwick County and Cheney Reservoir, along with numerous articles on Kansas birds.

Kenn Kaufman is author of the popular Kaufman Focus Guides to birds and butterflies in North America and the recipient of the American Birding Association's prestigious Ludlow Griscom Award.

Customer Reviews

Great for beginners and experts
A fine gem, summarizing the birds most likely to be seen in Kansas. Each bird gets a full page with photo and helpful information like how to recognize them, where to find them, and when to find them. The photos are excellent! New birders will quickly find a species without sorting through the clutter of a larger field guide. Experienced birders may glean details such as where and when to find target species.

Kansas Birds
It is very through and informative and I would recommend it to any one trying to identify birds.

Comprehensive
Easy to read, more than just a reference. Some prior bird knowledge is helpful - it is faster to look up a bird if you know it is a warbler vs. an insect catcher. The photos are amazing. Very enjoyable read.