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Before we can develop care and feeding regimens or introduce an
animal to other animals, we must first identify it. Identification
can pose a challenge when the wildlife in question is a neonate
or juvenile, and birds present a particular challenge.
Identification is crucial so that we may study the animal's natural
history. We must consider its habitat, habits, preferred nesting
or denning areas, development, behaviours and the ways in which
it interacts with other animals.
Most relevant to care and feeding are the animal's methods of foraging,
drinking and bathing, and its natural diet. Ideally, the captive
diet closely reflects the wild diet, with as many natural foods
as possible included.
Information and links to additional information on identification
can be found on the main menu of Wildlife Care.
A wealth of information on natural history can be found on professional
websites and in texts. A good general site is: http://www.nearctica.com/nathist/nathist.htm
Websites
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Birds of North America
Scope: BNA offers sample pages of life histories of a number of birds. Choose ﾑsample profilesﾒ from the right hand menu.
Online Volumes:
URL:
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Cornell University
Scope: Cornell Lab of Ornithologyﾒs site features a different bird each week. A pull-down menu on the top left allows you to select any of the species in chronological, taxonomical or alphabetical order.
Online Volumes:
URL:
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Electronic Resources on Ornithology
Scope: The ﾑmaster siteﾒ for ornithology resource links
Online Volumes:
URL:
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Life histories of North American birds
Scope: The classic works of ornithologist Arthur Cleveland Bent and colleagues
Online Volumes:
URL:
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Ornithology.com
Scope: This site is an excellent resource and offers general and species-specific information.
Online Volumes:
URL:
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University of California Museum of Paleontology
Scope: An introduction to birds, with information on life history and morphology
Online Volumes:
URL:
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University of Michigan
Scope: The Animal Diversity Web describes many species.
Online Volumes:
URL:
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Texts
The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds:
by John K. Terres
This encyclopedia of North American birds is a comprehensive resource and although it is not recent and is hard to find, it is a must for the avian rehabilitatorﾒs library.
Hardcover: 1109 pages
Knopf
ISBN:0394466519
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The Birder's Handbook:A Field Guide to the Natural History of North American Birds; Including All Species That Regularly Breed North of Mexico
by Darryl Wheye (Contributor), et al
Compact and yet filled with information, this portable encyclopedia of North American bird behavior is a complement to field guides.
Paperback: 785 pages
Fireside
ISBN:0671659898
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Websites
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Neartica
Scope: A site with good links to information on the natural history of a variety of species
Online Volumes:
URL:
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University of Michigan
Scope: The Animal Diversity Web: The natural histories of individual species.
Online Volumes:
URL:
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Texts
The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals:
by Don E. Wilson (Editor), Sue Ruff (Editor), American Society of Mammalogists
Detailed written descriptions and about 450 color and b&w photographs survey the rich and varied world of North American animals. Entries include distribution maps, identification guidelines, scientific and common names, and information on behavior, diet, reproduction, growth, longevity, predation, and habitat preferences. They also summarize the current population status of each animal and detail distribution changes owing to human activities.
Hardcover: 816 pages
Smithsonian Institution Press
ISBN:1560988452
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Walker's Mammals of the World (6th Ed):
by Ronald M. Nowak
this two-volume guide provides complete information on every genus of mammal in all historical time. In each section of the book, Nowak (biologist and author of the 4th and 5th editions) and Walker (assistant director of the National Zoo) describe one genus, including facts such as scientific and common names, the number and distribution of species, measurements and physical traits, habitat, locomotion, daily and seasonal activity, population...
Hardcover: 1248 pages
Johns Hopkins Univ Press
ISBN:0801857899
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Websites
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Animal Diversity Web 1
Scope: An impressive number of descriptions of the natural histories of individual species:
Online Volumes:
URL:
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Animal Diversity Web 2
Scope: An impressive number of descriptions of the natural histories of individual species:
Online Volumes:
URL:
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The Somewat Amusing World of Frogs
Scope: An entertaining and informative narrative on frog behavior, natural history, etc.:
Online Volumes:
URL:
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Animal Diversity Web
Scope: An index of various reptiles. Click on the html files
Online Volumes:
URL:
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Texts
National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians:
by John L. Behler, F. Wayne King
This stunning guide explores the kingdom of snakes, toads, frogs, turtles, lizards, salamanders, and crocodiles, with information on physical appearance, voice, breeding cycles, habitat, range, and status in the wild. Poisonous or otherwise dangerous animals are distinguished with a warning symbol. An essay on observing reptiles and amphibians, and detailed anatomical drawings, round out the coverage in this comprehensive guide.
Paperback: 743 pages; Vinyl Cover Edition
Knopf
ISBN:0394508246
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Biology of Amphibians:
by William E. Duellman, Linda Trueb (Contributor)
This reference provides a solid overview of amphibians, and has long been used as a university textbook on the subject. While other references are more suitable for amphibian neuroanatomy, this reference provides a rich description of amphibian reproductive behavior, development from egg to larvae
Paperback - 670 pages Reprint edition
Johns Hopkins Univ Press
ISBN:080184780X
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A Natural History of Amphibians (Princeton Paperbacks):
by Robert C. Stebbins, Nathan W. Cohen (Contributor)
Conveys the authors' enthusiasm for studying the natural history of a fascinating group of animals. The illustrations are superb [and the] line drawings are a delight.... A major contribution.
Paperback - 332 pages Reprint edition
Princeton Univ Pr
ISBN:0691102511
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Snakes:A Natural History
by Roland Bauchot (Editor)
The 15 authors who contributed to this handsome, four color volume discuss the biology, ecology, and geographic extent of serpents, including their physiology, evolutionary trends, reproduction, unique mode of locomotion, habitat, and lifestyle. The usefulness of serpents is highlighted; for example, their venom is often used medicinally.
Paperback - 220 pages 1 Pbk Ed edition
Sterling Publications
ISBN:0806906537
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Snakes of the United States and Canada:Natural History and Care in Captivity
by Roxanne Rossi, John V. Rossi
Hardcover
Krieger Publishing Company
ISBN:1575240319
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The Snake Almanac:A Fully Illustrated Natural History of Snakes Worldwide
by Edward R. Ricciuti
A well illustrated, general overview of snakes and human perception of snakes written for a popular audience. Chapters speculate on the evolutionary path resulting in these reptiles, explore their physiology and behavior, their means of reproduction and their normal habitat.
Paperback , xvi, 192 pages
Lyons Press
ISBN:1585741787
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