Pacific Coast Bird Finder: Identifying Common Birds Along the Pacific Coast (Nature Study Guides)

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Dr. Roger J. Lederer is Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences at California State University, Chico, where his academic specialty is the field of ornithology. He has a PhD from the University of Illinois and has published more than 30 scientific research papers. He has written several books, including The Art of the Bird; Beaks, Bones, and Bird Songs; Bird Finder; Pacific Coast Bird Finder; and Latin for Bird Lovers.

Dr. Lederer has taught ornithology and ecology courses; has consulted for governmental agencies, environmental organizations, and schools; and has presented hundreds of times to a wide variety of audiences. He served as Chair of Biological Sciences, Dean of the College of Natural Sciences, Endowed Professor of Environmental Literacy, and director of a 4,000-acre ecological reserve.

He has been contacted for authoritative information on wild birds by many organizations, such as the following: BBC, National Geographic, National Public Radio, National Canadian Television, Vanity Fair magazine, Guinness World Records, Real Simple magazine, Fox TV, ABC News, The New Yorker, and more.

Since 2000, Dr. Lederer has been a guest speaker on more than 20 cruises, speaking on the flora, fauna, ecology, and environment of the cruise destinations.

Jacquelyn “Jacque” Giuffre is an illustrator and a sculptor. She combines her love of nature and science by sculpting animals, taking endless inspiration from travels to Sub-saharan Africa, Morocco, South America, and Southeast Asia. Although she maintains a studio in Napa, California, much of her time is spent studying animals at the San Diego Zoo, a world-renowned leader in endangered animal and plant research. It is her honor to support their efforts with her bronze sculptures. She has been an artist in residence at the Ruwenzori Sculpture Foundation, Uganda. While on location, Jacque cast 12 feet of bronze relief, depicting migrating African animals. Her illustrations have appeared in Pacific Coast Bird Finder.

Carole E. Burr is an author, an editor, and an illustrator, specializing in bird art. Her previous works include illustrations for Latin for Bird Lovers and The Birds of Bidwell Park, as well as Bird Finder and Pacific Coast Bird Finder, among other titles. A former faculty member at California State University, Chico, Carol helped to develop their Women’s Studies program in the 1970s, as well as the University Honors Program. She chaired the English Department between 1985 and 1994, and she won several awards, including the Outstanding Faculty Service Award (1992) and a Women of Distinction Award from Soroptimist International (1999).

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Western Bluebird
Sialia Mexicana
L: 7" W: 14"

The head, wings, and back are blue; the chest and abdomen are orange, except for a small whitish belly. Nests in tree cavities in low- and mid-level woods and nest boxes. Eats insects and berries and helps distribute mistletoe. Forms winter flocks, sometimes with the Mountain Bluebird (S. corrucoides; L: 7", W: 13"), which nests at high subalpine elevations.

Bluebird males are far more colorful than their female mates, typical of the bird world. Males display to attract females and defend their territory, while the dull-colored females need to avoid attracting predators while they attend to parental duties on the nest.

Woods / forests

American Robin
Turdus migratorius
L: 10" W: 17"

Perhaps the best-known American bird, the American Robin is identified by its black head, dark-gray back, and rufous breast and belly. Known as the harbingers of spring, robins hold winter territories even in very cold environments. They feed on the ground and can hear earthworms moving through their tunnels. Very aggressive during nesting season and may attack its reflection in windows and car mirrors. Lays 3–5 light-blue eggs in a nest made of mud and grass.

Young robins (and other songbirds) hatch in about 10 days. After another 10 days they will jump from the nest, even though they can’t fly. Parents will take care of juveniles on the ground until their feathers grow enough to allow them to fly. People mistakenly think baby robins have fallen from their nest and need help. They don’t.

Woods / forests / farms, parks, and cities