Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas

Troy Corman , Editor
Cathryn Wise , Editor

The Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas is the capstone of the first comprehensive statewide survey of Arizona's breeding birds. More than 700 surveyors, mainly volunteers, reported a total of 376 bird species during the 1993�2000 field seasons. Of those species, 283 were confirmed as breeding and 18 additional species were suspected of potentially nesting in the state during the atlas survey period.

This atlas provides a breeding distribution snapshot for each of Arizona's nesting bird species at the end of the twentieth century. Bird populations change constantly due to environmental factors and human activities. The data compiled in this book will serve as a baseline against which to judge future changes. It also provides a wealth of natural history information.

Each of the 270 two-page species accounts contains a color photo of the species and a range map summarizing the breeding distribution records collected during the atlas survey period. The accompanying descriptive text and graphs provide nesting habitat information and a timeline chronicling each bird's breeding phenology and migratory status in Arizona. Another 47 species are briefly discussed. Additional chapters describe atlas methods, results, and Arizona ornithological history, as well as topography, climate, and habitat diversity, which ultimately govern bird species distribution in the state. Useful to land managers and biologists, the atlas will also be a resource for birders and educators and will increase public awareness of Arizona's vast avian life.

Selected as a Top Pick in the 2006 Southwest Books of the Year by the Tucson Pima County Library.

"A definitive work on the state's avian population for local birders and the thousands of tourists who come to the state to view such only-in-Arizona species as the rufous-winged sparrow."--The Arizona Republic

"After more than a decade of work and help from hundreds of volunteers across the state, a must have reference book for Arizona bird watchers is finally available."--Green Valley News and Sun, AZ

"Southwest birders will love this comprehensive reference on Arizona breeding birds. . This is a great resource book for the birding community, educators, and students."--Phoenix Arcadia News

"This atlas ranks among the best bird books of all time and is indispensible for anyone interested in Arizona birds."--Southwest Books of the Year 2005

"This capstone atlas is an important resource for field biologists as well as a useful reference for birders, educators, and the interested public. With full-color maps and photographs throughout, this hefty tome is a publishing bargain."--American Reference Books Annual

"This is a beautiful piece of work that will serve the Arizona birding community well."--Wildlife Activist

"This work will be useful for decades to come, and will also serve as a benchmark for the next atlas project to document the changes in the avifauna of this popular state. . Highly recommended."--CHOICE

Troy Corman is an avian biologist with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix.

Cathryn Wise-Gervais is also an avian biologist with the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

8.5 x 11 646 pages 335 color photographs, 282 maps