Introduction ix Map of Area Covered by This Book inside front cover How to Identify Birds 1 Ducks, Ducklike and Miscellaneous Swimming Birds 10–51 Loons: Gaviidae 10 Grebes: Podicipedidae 12 Alcids (Auks): Alcidae 14 Cormorants: Phalacrocoracidae 18 Darters: Anhingidae 18 Swans, Geese, and Ducks: Anatidae 20 Swans: Cygninae 20 Geese: Anserinae 20 Geese and Swans in Flight 24 Whistling-Ducks: Dendrocygninae 26 Dabbling Ducks: Anatinae 26 Diving Ducks: Aythyinae 32 Stiff-tailed Ducks: Oxyurinae 38 Mergansers: Merginae 40 Ducklike Swimmers (Coots, Gallinules): Rallidae (in part) 42 Flight Patterns of Ducks 44 Seabirds, Gulls, etc. (Aerialists) 52–77 Shearwaters, etc.: Procellariidae 52 Rare Pterodroma Petrels 54 Storm-Petrels: Hydrobatidae 54 Pelicans: Pelecanidae 56 Frigatebirds: Fregatidae 56 Gannets and Boobies: Sulidae 58 Tropicbirds: Phaethontidae 58 Jaegers and Skuas: Stercorariidae 60 Gulls and Terns: Laridae 62 Gulls: Larinae 62 Terns: Sterninae 72 Skimmers: Rynchopidae 76 Long-legged Wading Birds 78–89 Herons and Bitterns: Ardeidae 78 Storks: Ciconiidae 84 Cranes: Gruidae 84 Limpkins: Aramidae 86 Ibises and Spoonbills: Threskiornithidae 86 Flamingoes: Phoenicopteridae 88 Smaller Wading Birds 90–121 Rails: Rallidae 90 Oystercatchers: Haematopodidae 94 Avocets and Stilts: Recurvirostridae 94 Plovers: Charadriidae 96 Plovers and Turnstone in Flight 100 Sandpipers: Scolopacidae 102 Phalaropes: Phalaropodidae 114 Waders in Flight 116 Fowl-like Birds 122–127 Turkeys: Meleagrididae 122 Grouse, etc.: Tetraonidae 122 Pheasants: Phasianidae (in part) 122 Quails and Partridges: Phasianidae (in part) 126 Birds of Prey 128–155 Hawks, Eagles, etc.: Accipitridae 128 Kites: Elaninae and Milvinae 128 Accipiters: Accipitrinae 130 Harriers: Circinae 130 Buteos: Buteoninae (in part) 132 Eagles: Buteoninae (in part) 136 Ospreys: Pandionidae 136 American Vultures: Cathartidae 138 Caracaras and Falcons: Falconidae 138 Caracaras: Caracarinae 138 Falcons: Falconinae 140 Birds of Prey Overhead 142 Owls: Tytonidae (Barn Owls) and Strigidae (True Owls) 150 Nonpasserine Land Birds 156–171 Parrots and Parakeets: Psittacidae 156 Pigeons and Doves: Columbidae 158 Cuckoos and Allies: Cuculidae 160 Goatsuckers (Nightjars): Caprimulgidae 162 Hummingbirds: Trochilidae 164 Kingfishers: Alcedinidae 164 Woodpeckers: Picidae 166 Swifts: Apodidae (with Swallows, 182) Passerine (Perching) Birds 172–267 Tyrant Flycatchers: Tyrannidae 172 Larks: Alaudidae 178 Pipits: Motacillidae 178 Swallows: Hirundinidae 180 Crows, Jays, etc.: Corvidae 184 Titmice and Chickadees: Paridae 188 Nuthatches: Sittidae 190 Creepers: Certhiidae 190 Wrens: Troglodytidae 192 Gnatcatchers and Kinglets: Sylviidae 194 Bulbuls: Pycnonotidae 194 Mockingbirds and Thrashers: Mimidae 196 Thrushes: Turdidae 196 Shrikes: Laniidae 202 Waxwings: Bombycillidae 202 Vireos: Vireonidae 204 Wood-Warblers: Parulidae 208 Blackbirds, Orioles, etc.: Icteridae 230 Starlings: Sturnidae 234 Tanagers: Thraupidae 238 Weaver Finches: Ploceidae 240 Grosbeaks, Finches, Sparrows, and Buntings: Fringillidae 240 Life List 268 Index 275