A Note on the Content

A combination of direct observation along with research from books and online sources contributed to the information presented in this guide. I’ve edited the writing to focus on facts that help with identification, such as feather coloring, signature calls, nesting habits, and diet. In the avian world, the males tend to display brighter colors since it helps in attracting a mate, which in turn makes them easier to spot. With this in mind, they have been given priority over the female in some of the illustrations. However it is important to note that many species are monomorphic, meaning they have the exact same coloring (i.e. Blue Jays, Mourning Doves, Bald Eagles).

Birds are often taken for granted, their singing forming a pleasant background soundtrack, but otherwise not actively attracting our attention. Some species such as the House Sparrow and the Rock Pigeon can be so numerous as to be viewed as pests. But many bird populations are decreasing, some with alarming rapidity. This is a result of a combination of factors, including habitat loss due to climate change, human development, and deforestation, the use of pesticides and rodenticides affecting food sources, in addition to being outcompeted by invasive species. In urban areas, glass window collisions are a serious issue, with latest studies estimating one billion bird deaths per year in the US alone. This guide indicates which birds are particularly vulnerable, based on findings by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Partners in Flight, organizations concerned with monitoring, collecting data, and sharing information related to bird conservation.