Updated December, 2012

Bibliography of Useful Publications for the Avocational Ornithologist

Essential Books

Books are available through Amazon and associated book dealers. Even if a book is out of print, used copies may still be available for sale.

Kirpluk, Barb, 2005, Caw of the Wild, iUniverse, Lincoln, NE (Important Background on Wildlife Rescue Agencies and American Crows)

Pepperberg, Irene M., 2008, Alex & Me, Harper Collins, New York, NY (Problems preventing Useful Academic Research on Birds)

Novacek, Michael , 2007, Terra, Farrar Strauss and Giroux, New York, NY (Paleontology and our Current Extinction Event)

Lint, K.C., 1981, Feeding Cage Birds, Blandford Press, New York, NY (Care and Feeding Guide for Most Wild Birds)

Levitt & Dubner, 2005 Freakonomics , Harper, New York, NY (Not a nature book, but it is critical to know why "common knowledge" is often wrong.)

David Owen, 2012 The Conundrum , Riverhead Books, New York, NY (How scientific innovation, increased efficiency, and good intentions can make our energy and climate problems worse)

Lee and Jamieson, 2001 The Takahe: Fifty Years of Conservation Management and Research University of Otego Press, New Zealand (All sorts of conservation efforts have failed to make this bird species thrive)


American Crows and Ravens

There is widespread interest in wild birds of the Corvidae family, and the study of these birds gives broad insight into the lives of many species of wild birds.

Marzluff, John, 2012, Gifts of the Crow , Free Press, New York, NY (Discussion of anecdotes showing the character of crows and their abilities )

Heinrich, Bernd., 1999, Mind of the Raven , Harper Collins, New York, NY (Investigations and adventures with Wolf-Birds)

Woolfson, Esther , 2008, Corvus a Life with Birds , Counterpoint, Berkley, CA (Birds as part of the Family )

Cocker, Mark, 2007, Crow Country , Vintage Books, London (A Bird-Watcher's Guide to the Norfolk (UK) Broads)

Maheu, Layne, 2008, Song of the Crow ,Unbridled Books, Denver, CO (A Compelling spiritual parady of a Biblical story )

Savage, Candace, 1997, Bird Brains ,Sierra Club Books, San Francisco, CA (Large format with beautiful photography, quotes and anecdotes about Corvids )


Other wild bird studies

Barber, Theodore, 1993, The Human Nature of Birds , Penguin Books, NY ("Scientists are told what they are supposed to think by the dogmas and commandments of official science")


Books for Bird Watchers

Balmer, Elizabeth, 2009, A Concise Guide to the Birds of the British Isles ,Baker and Taylor, Oxfordshire, UK (A handbook for identification of Birds)

Edworthy,Niall, 2009, Bald Coot and Screaming Loon ,Transworld Publishers,London, UK (Humerous anecdotes and stories for bird watchers)

Beston, Henry, 1928, the outermost HOUSE ,Henry Holt and Company, New York (the classic American naturalist's novel)


Books about Wildlife rescue and Rehabilitation

Several books have been published on wild bird rescue and care, but none of them provide useful information that would help you deal with a sick or injured bird. For help refer to Links to Important Sites.

Guidry, Jeff, 2010, An Eagle Named Freedom ,Harper Collins, New York, NY (A heartwarming story by a wild bird rehabber)



Books We Love

Adams, Richard,1972, Watership Down ,Scribner, New York, NY (Classic children's story about rabbits )

Ransome,Arthur, 1990, Coot Club ,Godine, Jaffrey, NH (Classic children's story about coots)

Hutchison, 2006, GREG! THE NAUGHTY TAKAHE ,Hutchison Books, Aukland, New Zealand (Children's story about a species saved from extinction)



Selected Academic Research Papers on Coots

Keep in mind that while this work is done by ornithologists to meet graduate requirements, the policy of most society journals is that the author is required to pay for publication and submit the names of experts for technical review.

(Many of these and other publications are available free from the University of New Mexico online SORA archives.)

Gullion, G. June 1952. "The Displays and Calls of the American Coot". The Wilson Bulletin. Vol 64 No. 2 pp83-97

Henshaw, F.W. January 1918. "Some Pugnacious Coots" The Condor . Volume XX p 92

Gullion, G. March 1953. "Observations on Molting of the American Coot". The Condor . Volume 55 pp 102-103

Gullion, G. Sept 1951. "The Frontal Shield of the American Coot". The Wilson Bulletin Volume 63, No 3 pp 157-166

Gullion, G. July-August 1953 "Territorial Behavior of the American Coot" The Condor Volume 55 No 4 pp 169-186

Gullion, G. Nov. 1950. "Voice Differences Between Sexes in the American Coot"The Condor. Vol 52 pp 272-273

Gullion, G. Oct. 1954. "Reproductive Cycle in American Coots" The Auk Volume 77 pp 366-412



Index:

  1. Home
  2. Coot News
  3. Background
  4. Coot Food
  5. Recipe for Coot Pudding
  6. Coot Misinformation
  7. Bibliography
  8. Coot Calls and Movies
  9. Historical Summary
  10. Links to Important Sites
  11. Opinion