Bold and dynamic, falcons hold a special place in the hearts of many birders, and in Falcons of North America, renowned raptor advocate, photographer, and environmental educator Kate Davis opens a door into the lives of these extraordinary, especially exciting birds of prey – the falcons. To illustrate the 6 species of falcons found in North America, there is no better collection of photographs of these birds, taken in the field by author Kate Davis, Nick Dunlop, and Rob Palmer, known to be among the best raptor photography specialists in the field.
Published by Mountain Press, one reviewer described this new edition best: "It should be no surprise if many people buy this book for the photos alone, because they are superb – both stunning and unique. But a glance at the text draws readers deeper into a raptor's world. The considerable amount of interesting information new to this edition makes it an excellent survey of the biology of North American falcons, written in a style that transmits the author's passion for these fascinating creatures."
Since the publication of the first edition of Falcons of North America 13 years ago, advances in technology have revolutionized the study of falcons. This updated and revised second edition describes the completely new classifications of the 6 species of falcons found in the United States and Canada, all based on recent DNA studies that separate falcons from other raptors taxonomically.
Population trends of the falcons are also explored, with discussions about the mysterious decline of the American Kestrel and the impact of global warming on falcons, particularly the Arctic-dwelling Gyrfalcons. Kate Davis also includes fascinating details on one of the greatest conservation success stories – that of the Peregrine Falcon – the cosmopolitan species that survived a brush with extinction and transformed into larger populations than ever before with the aid of dedicated biologists and conservationists, even thriving in the most urban centers of cities across the continent. For more information about Falcons of North America, refer to Mountain Press at Falcons of North America – Mountain Press