Presents information on the natural histories of birds of the Sierra Nevada, the origins of their names, the habitats they prefer, how they communicate and interact with one another, their relative abundance, and where they occur within the region.

Foreword Preface Acknowledgments INTRODUCTION ECOLOGICAL ZONES AND BIRD HABITATS RECENT TRENDS IN SIERRA BIRD POPULATIONS AND RANGES UNANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT SIERRA BIRDS BIRD CONSERVATION IN THE SIERRA Family and Species Accounts WATERFOWL • Anatidae QUAIL • Odontophoridae FOWL-LIKE BIRDS • Phasianidae LOONS • Gaviidae GREBES • Podicipedidae CORMORANTS • Phalacrocoracidae PELICANS • Pelecanidae HERONS AND RELATIVES • Ardeidae IBIS • Threskiornithidae NEW WORLD VULTURES • Cathartidae OSPREY • Pandionidae HAWKS AND RELATIVES • Accipitridae FALCONS • Falconidae RAILS AND RELATIVES • Rallidae CRANES • Gruidae PLOVERS • Charadriidae STILTS AND AVOCETS • Recurvirostridae SANDPIPERS AND RELATIVES • Scolopacidae GULLS AND TERNS • Laridae PIGEONS AND DOVES • Columbidae CUCKOOS AND ROADRUNNERS • Cuculidae BARN OWL • Tytonidae TYPICAL OWLS • Strigidae NIGHTHAWKS AND RELATIVES • Caprimulgidae SWIFTS • Apodidae HUMMINGBIRDS • Trochilidae KINGFISHERS • Alcedinidae WOODPECKERS • Picidae TYRANT FLYCATCHERS • Tyrannidae SHRIKES • Laniidae VIREOS • Vireonidae JAYS AND RELATIVES • Corvidae LARKS • Alaudidae SWALLOWS • Hirundinidae CHICKADEES AND TITMICE • Paridae VERDIN • Remizidae BUSHTIT • Aegithalidae NUTHATCHES • Sittidae CREEPERS • Certhiidae WRENS • Troglodytidae GNATCATCHERS • Polioptilidae DIPPERS • Cinclidae KINGLETS • Regulidae WRENTIT • Sylviidae THRUSHES AND RELATIVES • Turdidae MOCKINGBIRDS AND THRASHERS • Mimidae STARLINGS • Sturnidae PIPITS • Motacillidae WAXWINGS • Bombycillidae SILKY FLYCATCHERS • Ptilogonatidae WOOD-WARBLERS • Parulidae SPARROWS AND RELATIVES • Emberizidae GROSBEAKS AND RELATIVES • Cardinalidae BLACKBIRDS AND RELATIVES • Icteridae FINCHES AND RELATIVES • Fringillidae OLD WORLD SPARROWS • Passeridae Appendices 1 Checklist of Sierra Birds 2 Rare, Casual, and Accidental Birds of the Sierra Nevada 3 Methods Used to Determine Population Trends 4 Common and Scientific Names of Plant Species Glossary Bibliography Index of Common Names Index of Scientific Names About the Authors and Artist

"The Sierra Nevada has inspired a long history of outstanding science and art, and now it has a bird book that measures up on all counts. Avid birders will be more than satisfied with the 'when' and 'where' information about each species, while novices (and experts) will be drawn in by the 'how' and 'why' facts sprinkled throughout, as well as by Keith Hansen's lively and beautiful artwork. It is rare that a reference book invites you to simply sit down and read, and this is such a book."—David Allen Sibley, author and illustrator of The Sibley Guide to Birds "If you are lucky enough to visit the mighty Sierra (or if you just dream of going there someday), this book will multiply your understanding and enjoyment of its birdlife. With deep insights into the natural history, seasonal occurrence, and changing status of all the birds in the range, enhanced by beautiful illustrations, this is a monumental work that will be consulted and admired for decades to come."—Kenn Kaufman, author of the Kaufman Field Guide to Advanced Birding "The delights and nuances of birding in the Sierra Nevada fly off the pages of this deeply researched and richly illustrated book. The illustrations capture the gestalt and details of each species, and the detailed descriptions are fun to read and packed with information that will help the reader see and understand more about birds. No other book combines these elements so successfully. The product of over fifteen years of research and painting, this is a magnificent resource for all who love the mountains and the biodiversity within them."—John Muir Laws, author and illustrator of The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada "Birds of The Sierra Nevada presents valuable scientific information in an easy, eloquent style, fitting to the majestic and inspirational region covered by this guide. Keith Hansen's illustrations reflect absolute attention to accuracy and to each species' essence, what the observer sees in the field. I strongly recommend this book, not just for those visiting the Sierra Nevada, but for birders and ornithologists throughout North America."—Peter Pyle, author of the Identification Guide to North American Birds

"Presents the most up-to-date information available about the natural histories of birds of the Sierra Nevada." The Union "[This] book will deepen the experience of visits to the range for serious ornithologists and casual hikers alike." BirdWatching "A thorough, accessible text embracing a massive and diverse region of California... [The book] distills wisdom from many people who love both the avifauna and the high country and will inspire many of us to follow in their tracks." -- Claire Peaslee West Marin County "A book like Birds of the Sierra Nevada reaffirms your faith in how birding can dovetail with conservation, and in what birding can do for our collective sense of meaningful communion with nature." Birding Magazine