The behavior of Texas birds / by Kent Rylander.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rylander, Michael K.

Series:

Corrie Herring Hooks series ; no. 53.

The Corrie Herring Hooks series ; no. 53

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Birds--Behavior--Texas.

Birds.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (444 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Austin : University of Texas Press, 2002.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Whether it's the sudden, plunging dives of Brown Pelicans, the singing and aerial displays of Northern Mockingbirds, or the communal nesting of Purple Martins, innate and learned behaviors are some of the most fascinating things to observe in Texas birds. Even casual birdwatchers eventually ask, "why do they do that?" while serious birders and ornithologists seek to understand all the behaviors involved in feeding, flying, mating, and rearing young. But until now, it has been hard to find this information in one handy source. In this comprehensive, yet easy-to-use book, Kent Rylander distills data from many sources to provide an authoritative guide to the behavior of Texas birds. He begins by explaining the principles of animal behavior and illustrating how they can be applied to interpreting bird behaviors in the field. The majority of the book is devoted to accounts of more than 400 species of birds that are most likely to be encountered by Texas birdwatchers. Each account describes such behaviors as feeding, courtship, parenting, and other behaviors that are significant for that species. References to interesting and important articles from scientific journals are incorporated in the species accounts where appropriate, and line drawings illustrate some of the behaviors described.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Abbreviations

Species accounts

Loons: Order Gaviiformes

Grebes: Order Podicipediformes

Tube-nosed Swimmers: Order Procellariiformes

Totipalmate Birds: Order Pelecaniformes

Herons, Ibises, Storks, American Vultures, and Allies: Order Ciconiiformes

Screamers, Swans, Geese, and Ducks: Order Anseriformes

Diurnal Birds of Prey: Order Falconiformes

Gallinaceous Birds: Order Galliformes

Rails, Cranes, and Allies: Order Gruiformes

Shorebirds, Gulls, Auks, and Allies: Order Charadriiformes

Pigeons and Doves: Order Columbiformes

Parakeets and Parrots: Order Psittaciformes

Cuckoos and Allies: Order Cuculiformes

Owls: Order Strigiformes

Goatsuckers and Allies: Order Caprimulgiformes

Swifts and Hummingbirds: Order Apodiformes

Kingfishers and Allies: Order Coraciiformes

Woodpeckers and Allies: Order Piciformes

Passerine Birds: Order Passeriformes

Appendix: species not treated

References

Index

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. [383]-417).

ISBN:

0-292-79506-8

OCLC:

646761216