Handbook of Oregon Birds

Book excerpt: Handbook of Oregon Birds is a portable, field-friendly guide to the seasonal status and distribution of Oregon birds. A condensation of the status and distribution material from Birds of Oregon: A General Reference, the definitive source for Oregon ornithology, the book provides a quick but detailed field reference for birders who want to know a bird's status, seasonal patterns of occurrence, basic habitat information, and movements. The Handbook also includes comprehensive new breeding and winter maps, as well as the most up-to-date status of vagrants, displaying their seasonality and geographic occurrence in graphs and maps. Although not an introductory identification book, Handbook of Oregon Birds includes many features that newer birders will appreciate, including the maps, short summaries, and ID notes for difficult-to-identify species. A specially commissioned set of paintings by wildlife artist Ramiel Papish and a selection of color photographs provide identification aids that are an improvement on standard field guides for such challenges as flying alcids and immature swallows. Book jacket.