Birds of the Great Basin: A Natural History

By Fred A. Ryser

Book Overview

This book is the most comprehensive ever published on the diverse bird life of the Great Basin. In a concise and readable style, Fred Ryser discusses the history, physiology, behavior, ecology, and distribution of nearly four hundred species, including information on navigation, flight, territorial behavior, courtship, nesting, hunting, and migration. Introductory chapters examine how birds survive the extremes of the basin environment, how they maintain heat and water balance, and other important topics in avian biology. Birds of the Great Basin is a standard reference work in American ornithology and an important acquisition for anyone interested in western birds.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 087417080X
• ISBN13: 9780874170801
• Release Date: July 1985
• Publisher: University of Nevada Press
• Length: 604 Pages
• Weight: 2.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.9" x 6.8" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

The authoritative guide to Great Basin birds

Part of an outstanding natural history of the Great Basin series published by UNR. All are very good guides for the interested observer, but Ryser's book is the best in the series. It is written with an emphasis on behavior and adaptations to the stresses of living in the arid Basin. Too heavy for the field, and the detailed text does not lend itself to quick searches.