Hawks in Flight: The flight identification of North American migrant raptors

by Pete Dunne

Paperback, 1988

Call number

598.91097 19

Publication

Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1988. xviii, 254 p. : ill. ; 22 cm.

Pages

xviii; 254

Description

Among the world's most popular birds, hawks can be some of the most difficult birds to identify. They're most often seen flying high above and at a distance. In the first edition of Hawks in Flight, Pete Dunne, David Sibley, and Clay Sutton presented a holistic method of hawk identification, using general body shape, the way they move, and the places they are most likely to be seen. The new edition of the book that Roger Tory Peterson called a "landmark" integrates an array of carefully selected photographs, David Sibley's superb illustrations, and a clear, information-packed text and takes raptor identification to a higher level. This edition covers all of the raptors that breed in North America, including those with limited ranges in Florida, the Southwest, and Texas. Picking up where its predecessor ended by including two decades of raptor identification refinement, Hawks in Flight summarizes and places in users' hands an identification skill set that used to take years to master. The unique alchemy of Dunne, Sibley, and Sutton--including their collective experience of more than one hundred years watching hawks--make this book a singular achievement and a must-have for anyone interested in hawks.… (more)

Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

1988

Physical description

xviii, 254 p.; 8 inches

ISBN

0395510228 / 9780395510223

User reviews

LibraryThing member Sandydog1
The book that really compiled years of hawkwatchers' sage advice and identification tips. A must read for a beginner and intermediate hawkwatcher. Once the "gestalt" is nailed down, you can move on to any of the several other more recent hawk guides. Unlike HAWKS IN FLIGHT these other books
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emphasize molt and plumage characteristics. That's a big help for the remaining 2% or so of other ID challenges. This book will handle the first 98%. Enjoy Pete Dunne's humor and wit.
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LibraryThing member billsearth
This is possibly the best reference on hawk identification for North America. The authors have drawn on a large number of contributors to get things correct and included. The three main authors are all top in their fields. Drawings and photos are the very best and show the birds in characteristic
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attitudes.

The techniques recommended by the authors for identifying hawks involves an array of inputs.
The authors mention that this holistic approach is an evolution from the Peterson era of plumage-emphasized method.

It appears that learning this superior approach will not be a quick or easy endevour but will take years of usage to apply well, but still, looks to be superior.

I have rated this reference a 4 out of five for one reason;
It is far too large to carry on each outing and far too complex to look up a questionable bird quickly. Information is mostly in the form of text, not just photos or tables that can be thumbed through quickly while the bird is in view. Granted the hawk types are on color-coded pages. Still, much important information can be conveyed mostly just by reading the text descriptions of the candidate species. Even the book's weight is too heavy to tote around. To me, this is an evening reference for the home, after arriving back from a birding trip, which may be too late to use its suggestions for differentiating somewhat similar hawks.

Perhaps this heavy reference could be used most effectively on a hawk watch as there the size and weight would not be a problem.
Probably the best method for learning the hawks is to go to a hawk watch and listen to the expert mentor's explanation of why a target bird is what it is. He or she will describe the mannerisms that identify it. Then you can open this book and read those mannerisms and ask about any that were not present or other mannerisms that looked present but do not fit the identification. This combination of mentor and reference book would be the quickest and best way to learn hawks in my mind, and this is the book to bring for that.
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