Birds of the Salton Sea : Status, Biogeography, and Ecology

The Salton Sea, California's largest inland lake, supports a spectacular bird population that is among the most concentrated and most diverse in the world. Sadly, this crucial stopover along the Pacific Flyway for migratory and wintering shorebirds, landbirds, and waterfowl is dangerously close to collapse from several environmental threats. This book is the first thoroughly detailed book to describe the birds of Salton Sea, more than 450 species and subspecies in all. A major contribution to our knowledge about the birds of western North America, it will also be an important tool in the struggle to save this highly endangered area. Synthesizing data from many sources, including observations from their long-term work in the area, the authors' species accounts discuss each bird's abundance, seasonal status, movement patterns, biogeographic affinities, habitat associations, and more. This valuable reference also includes general information on the region's fascinating history and biogeography, making it an unparalleled resource for the birding community, for wildlife managers, and for conservation biologists concerned with one of the most threatened ecosystems in western North America. The Salton Sea, California's Largest Inland Lake, Supports A Spectacular Bird Population That Is Among The Most Concentrated And Diverse In The World. This Book Is The First Thoroughly Detailed Book To Describe The Birds Of Salton Sea - More Than 450 Species And Subspecies In All. A Major Contribution To Our Knowledge About The Birds Of Western North America, It Will Also Be An Important Tool In The Struggle To Save This Highly Endangered Area. Synthesizing Data From Many Sources, Including Observations From The Authors' Long-term Work In The Area, The Species Accounts Discuss Each Bird's Abundance, Seasonal Status, Movement Patterns, Biogeographic Affinities, Habitat Associations, And More. This Valuable Reference Also Includes General Information On The Region's Fascinating History And Biogeography, Making It An Unparalleled Resource For The Birding Community, For Wildlife Managers, And For Conservation Biologists Concerned With One Of The Most Threatened Ecosystems In Western North America.--jacket. A History Of The Salton Sink -- Conservation And Management Issues -- Biogeography Of The Salton Sea -- A Checklist Of The Birds Of The Salton Sea -- The Species Accounts -- App. Common And Scientific Names Of Plant Species Mentioned In The Text. Michael A. Patten, Guy Mccaskie, And Philip Unitt. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 325-347) And Index. The Salton Sea, California's largest inland lake, supports a spectacular bird population that is among the most concentrated and diverse in the world. Sadly, this crucial stopover along the Pacific Flyway for migratory and wintering shorebirds, landbirds, and waterfowl is dangerously close to collapse from several environmental threats. This book is the first thoroughly detailed book to describe the birds of Salton Sea -- more than 450 species and subspecies in all. A major contribution to our knowledge about the birds of western North America, it will also be an important tool in the struggle to save this highly endangered area. Synthesizing data from many sources, including observations from the authors' long-term work in the area, the species accounts discuss each bird's abundance, seasonal status, movement patterns, biogeographic affinities, habitat associations, and more. This valuable reference also includes general information on the region's fascinating history and biogeography, making it an unparalleled resource for the birding community, for wildlife managers, and for conservation biologists concerned with one of the most threatened ecosystems in western North America. The Salton Sea, California's largest inland lake, supports a huge bird population that is among the most concentrated and most diverse in the world. Sadly this environment is close to collapse from several environmental threats. This book describes the more than 450 species and sub-species WE BEGIN THE STORY of the Salton Sea with the Salton Trough, the rift extending from the Coachella Valley to the central Gulf of California.