Waterfowl of North America

Paul A. Johnsgard

Indiana University Press

Dramatizes the life of the sandhill crane, its relationship with humans, and the folklore surrounding it

Those of the Gray Wind: The Sandhill Cranes

Science & Math

Nature & Ecology

St.Martin's Press

Among the most important of all bird groups, pheasants account for the most abundant domesticated species (the domestic fowl), the most extensively hunted upland game bird (the common pheasant), and some of the most spectacularly beautiful of all large birds (the giant argus). This lavishly illustrated volume gives up-to-date information on the distribution, status, and biology of all 49 species, with special attention paid to those that are vulnerable, rare, or threatened. Including range maps and identification keys, The Pheasants of the World is a comprehensive reference not only for ornithologists and conservationists seeking to ensure the survival of the group, but also for aviculturists and others who want to better understand the nature of these splendid birds.

The Pheasants of the World: Biology and Natural History

Biological Sciences

Smithsonian Books

In this newest and up-to-date book in a long line of respected works, Paul A. Johnsgard provides a comprehensive review of all thirty-one species of diurnal raptors that breed in the United States and Canada. In his thorough style, Johnsgard presents the evolutionary history and the morphological features of this diverse group. He gives a detailed account of each of the thirty-one included species, including identifying characteristics to aid birders with field study, a survey of habitats, food and foraging ecology, social behavior, and breeding biology. He also discusses the conservation of these magnificent predators, since hawks, eagles, and falcons are among the wildlife that suffered most from use of DDT and other pesticides in the decades after WWII. In addition to range maps, full-page figures, and numerous sketches, the book is handsomely illustrated and includes appendices, a glossary of technical terms, and a bibliography of more than 1,200 sources. Comparable to Johnsgard's highly prised North American Owls, this book will be a keystone in the library of every ornithologist, raptor buff, and birder, and a welcome new source for the ecologist and naturalist as well.

Hawks, Eagles, and Falcons of North America: Biology and Natural History

Smithsonian Institute Press

Paul Johnsgard, one of the world's leading ornithologists, has written this book as a call to action. Conservationists have seen a marked decline in the populations of North American grouse, particularly the grassland-adapted species. Unless action is taken swiftly, at least one species -- Attwater's prairie-chicken -- is certain to follow the heath hen into extinction. Johnsgard begins with the tragic history of the heath hen, which became extinct in 1932. He devotes a chapter each to the greater and lesser prairie-chickens, greater and Gunnison sage-grouse, and sharp-tailed grouse. Johnsgard argues that habitat loss and excessive hunting are major factors contributing to the decline of each species, particularly the lesser prairie-chicken and the Gunnison sage-grouse, which have been proposed for threatened federal status. This narrative history is troubling but not without hope. Johnsgard discusses places where populations exist that have yet to be preserved, and outlines the steps necessary to conserve these species. A possible future does exist for grassland grouse, and Johnsgard's book points the way toward securing it.

Grassland Grouse and Their Conservation

Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press

Brings together extensive information on the comparative biology and conservation status of the world's wild pheasant populations.

Pheasants of the World : Biology and Natural History

Smithsonian Institution

Examines the habitats of ducks, looks at the various duck species, discusses current threats to ducks in the wild, and looks at conservation efforts

Ducks in the Wild

Swan-Hill Press

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Paul A. Johnsgard. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Paul A. Johnsgard