Ducks, Geese, and Swans of North America

by Mr. Henry Imuzeze Usidame

Overview

Ducks, Geese, and Swans of North America has been hailed as a classic since the first edition was published in 1942. A must-have for professional biologists, birders, waterfowl hunters, decoy collectors, and wildlife managers, this fully revised and updated edition provides definitive information on the continent's forty-six species. Maps of both winter and breeding ranges are presented with stunning images by top waterfowl photographers and the acclaimed original artwork of Robert W. (Bob) Hines.

Originally authored by F. H. Kortright and later revised by Frank Bellrose, this latest edition, which has been meticulously updated by renowned waterfowl biologist Guy Baldassarre, continues the legacy of esteemed authors. Each species account contains in-depth sections on:
• identification
• distribution
• migration behavior
• habitat
• population status
• breeding biology
• rearing of young
• recruitment and survival
• food habits and feeding ecology
• molts and plumages
• conservation and management

To facilitate identification, the species accounts also include detailed illustrations of wings. An appendix contains comparative illustrations of ducklings, goslings, and cygnets.

This edition of Ducks, Geese, and Swans consists of two volumes, printed in full color, and packaged in a slipcase, along with a CD containing references and additional maps.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781421408088
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	11/15/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	1088
File size:	30 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Guy Baldassarre was a professor of wildlife ecology at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse until his death in 2012. He is the coauthor of the textbook Waterfowl Ecology and Management.

Table of Contents

Volume I:
Foreword
Introduction
A Remembrance
Preface
Acknowledgments
Basis For The Book
Species Accounts:
• Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
• Fulvous Whistling-Duck
• Mute Swan
• Trumpeter Swan
• Tundra Swan
• Greater White-fronted Goose
• Emperor Goose
• Snow Goose (Lesser and Greater)
• Ross's Goose
• Brant (Atlantic and Black)
• Canada Goose/Cackling Goose
• Muscovy Duck
• Wood Duck
• Gadwall
• American Wigeon
• American Black Duck
• Mallard
• Mexican Duck
• Mottled Duck
• Blue-winged Teal
• Cinnamon Teal
• Northern Shoveler
• Northern Pintail
• American Green-winged Teal
Volume II:
Species Accounts:
• Canvasback
• Redhead
• Ring-necked Duck
• Greater Scaup
• Lesser Scaup
• Steller's Eider
• Spectacled Eider
• King Eider
• Common Eider
• Harlequin Duck
• Surf Scoter
• White-winged Scoter
• Black Scoter
• Long-tailed Duck
• Bufflehead
• Common Goldeneye
• Barrow's Goldeneye
• Hooded Merganser
• Common Merganser
• Red-breasted Merganser
• Masked Duck
• Northern Ruddy Duck
Appendix A. Important Waterfowl Areas
Appendix B. Ducklings, Goslings, and Cygnets
Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Guy Baldassarre has hit the target. His remake of the Kortright/Bellrose classic provides good biological descriptions, wonderful photographs and illustrations, and easy-to-understand information about waterfowl. I would encourage every hunter and enthusiast to have these books as an educational guide to waterfowl and their needs.
—H. Dale Hall, CEO, Ducks Unlimited, Inc.

When, as an eleven-year-old in 1942, I read F. H. Kortright's first edition of this book, it altered the trajectory of my life. Every subsequent edition, including this latest update by Guy Baldassarre, has improved the landmark reference. I can't imagine that anyone interested in waterfowl or wetlands can live without this indispensable book.
—Paul A. Johnsgard, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Creating a brand-new version of such a timeless and previously revised classic is a risky venture indeed, but nobody could be better suited for this monumental task than Guy Baldassarre. He has created a stunning new classic, at once magnificent in its visual appeal and truly comprehensive in its scientific breadth and depth. Hats off to Guy for dedicating himself to this project with such obvious passion, patience, and skill. This book absolutely belongs on the shelf or coffee table of anyone who has ever marveled at waterfowl, whether through their binoculars or from inside the duck blind.
—John W. Fitzpatrick, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Editorial Reviews

RECOMMENDATION: A MUST have for anyone with an interest in the waterfowl of North America.
—Birdbooker Report

Wow, this thing is huge! This is a two-volume set, housed in a slipcase. Each of the hardcover books is large and looks great. Its focus isn't identification (although it does cover that and has lots of photos and some great artwork), but does have just about anything you would want to know about this group of birds.
—Grant McCreary, The Birder's Library

A readable, in-depth, and up-to-date discussion of the biology of every species known to breed in North America, 46 in all. We are delighted to add it to our library.
—BirdWatching Magazine

Whether you're a duck hunter, a decoy collector, or just enamored with the world of waterfowl, Ducks, Geese, and Swans of North America is the ultimate reference . . . Destined to become a go-to source for this generation of enthusiasts and the next.
—Garden & Gun

Magnum opus . . . Not only is it comprehensive in the information it contains . . . it is something that many other works of such magnitude are not: highly readable. Which means that not only professionals but amateurs as well can benefit from it.
—John E. Riutta, The Well-read Naturalist

The book is a treasure trove of information, and the coverage of the technical literature is remarkably thorough . . . This is a magnificent production.
—American Birding Association blog

A defacto and worthy fourth edition . . . VERDICT: Of prime interest to naturalists, biologists, birders and hunters. Highly recommended.l
—Library Journal

A new and definitive version of a classic that should be on the selves of any even remotely interested in waterfowl or birding.
—Midwest Book Review

This is a wonderful two-volume set that provides up-to-date information on North America's ducks, geese and swans.
—Wildlife Activist

Ducks, Geese and Swans of North America is another solid contribution from Guy Baldassarre . . .The information in these volumes will be a certain first stop for those interested in topics of waterfowl biology for many years into the future.
—The Journal of Wildlife Management

This amazing work is an excellent complement to the previous volumes. Any North American library with comprehensive natural history holdings will want this waterfowl set, and it will grace the shelves of bird lovers and general libraries throughout the continent.
—Choice

A useful addition to the libraries of ornithologists and others . . . Maintains an educational and otherwise worthy tradition begun in the 1940s (i.e. by Kortright). The 2014 DGS provides contemporary information on North American waterfowl in one accessible place (two volumes), professionally and carefully presented. The color photos of waterfowl. all gorgeous and carefully selected, should appeal to anyone, especially lay readers who may be less familiar with waterfowl identification and nuances of plumages.
—The Auk, American Ornithologist's Union

A remarkable volume in terms of incorporating current research into each species account in a way that does not overwhelm either professional or amateur readers . . . Baldassarre has done a masterful job reinventing this classic for biologists and waterfowl lovers alike. This revision was much needed and will provide a valuable resource for anyone interest in waterfowl and their conservation.
—Prairie Naturalist

A necessity for birders, hunters, and scientists who study these birds . . . If you are interested in waterfowl, I highly recommend this book.
—Living Bird

From the Publisher