This book documents the biology of six species of New World quails that are native to North America north of Mexico (mountain, scaled, Gambel's, California, and Montezuma quails, and the northern bobwhite), three introduced Old World partridges (chukar, Himalayan snowcock, and gray partridge), and the introduced common (ring-necked) pheasant. Collectively, quails, partridges, and pheasants range throughout all of the continental United States and the Canadian provinces. Two of the species, the northern bobwhite and ring-necked pheasant, are the most economically important of all North American upland game birds. All of the species are hunted extensively for sport and are highly popular with naturalists, birders, and other outdoor enthusiasts.
This book documents the biology of six species of New World quails that are native to North America north of Mexico (mountain, scaled, Gambel's, California, and Montezuma quails, and the northern bobwhite), three introduced Old World partridges (chukar, Himalayan snowcock, and gray partridge), and the introduced common (ring-necked) pheasant. Collectively, quails, partridges, and pheasants range throughout all of the continental United States and the Canadian provinces. Two of the species, the northern bobwhite and ring-necked pheasant, are the most economically important of all North American upland game birds. All of the species are hunted extensively for sport and are highly popular with naturalists, birders, and other outdoor enthusiasts. The New World quails and Old World partridges share many basic aspects of social and reproductive behavior, such as gathering during nonbreeding periods into small, usually closely related coveys. They also all exhibit prolonged monogamous pair-bonding, biparental brood care, reduced sexual dimorphism in adult plumages and body mass, and a high diversity of vocalizations associated with covey, family, and pair interactions. As relatively small species with high mortality rates, they have evolved rapid periods to sexual maturity, unusually large clutch sizes that are among the largest of all birds, and pairings that regularly attempt to renest following nest failures. By comparison, the ring-necked pheasant is one of the Old World pheasants, who form less cohesive and less tightly structured flocks and have evolved nonmonogamous (polygynous or promiscuous) breeding strategies. Adult pheasants exhibit strong sexual dimorphism in plumage, body mass, and sexual behavior. Adult males have sharp tarsal spurs that are used during fights when establishing dominance status, and they perform some of the most spectacular sexual advertisement displays of all birds. Clutch sizes average considerably smaller than those of quails and partridges, whereas brooding durations and durations to sexual maturity are longer. The book totals more than 85,000 words, and includes about 1,100 literature citations, 29 pages of drawings, 27 photos, and 11 maps. Together with an earlier volume on grouse, it completes a survey of the biology and behavior of all 19 native and introduced species of North American quails, partridges, and pheasants.
Through the words and images of award-winning photographer and writer Gary Kramer, Game Birds: A Celebration of North American Upland Birds takes readers on a visual journey across North America in search of turkey, pheasant, quail, grouse, partridge, ptarmigan, prairie-chickens and the game birds of Hawaii. Among these are two on the brink of extinction, the masked bobwhite and Attwater's prairie-chicken; those that are struggling, such as the Gunnison sage-grouse and lesser prairie-chicken; abundant species that have been introduced from foreign lands including the chukar and ring-necked pheasant; as well as species that are widespread due to successful wildlife management efforts, like the wild turkey. Gary's photographs capture the range and diversity of their beauty and behavior, from the widespread and familiar northern bobwhite to the intricately marked Montezuma quail and the seldom photographed Himalayan snowcock. His compelling narrative is delivered with accuracy; each chapter has been reviewed by the top experts in the field. Containing 256 pages and 384 color photos, this volume is the most ambitious book ever attempted on gallinaceous birds, or as they are more commonly known, game birds. Gary may be the only individual to have ever photographed and published images of all 34 game birds found in the United States and Canada, making this book a milestone achievement. If you are an avid hunter, a serious birder or an armchair reader, Game Birds will provide you with range maps, natural history and conservation status and a photographic insight seldom revealed. Foreword by Howard K. Vincent, President and CEO Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever. Includes references, conservation organizations, and dust jacket. This edition of Game Birds features the Ring-Necked Pheasant on the cover. A Wild Turkey cover is also available. The interiors of both books are identical.
These species, a group of about 150 ground-dwelling gamebird, are found on every continent apart from Antarctica. They live in a wide variety of habitats from tropical forests, high-altitude alpine zones, temperate forests, open country, to desert environment. Although widespread, little is known of the species occurring outside Europe and North America, but several species are considered at grave risk of extinction. Since publication of the first action plan in 1995 a large increase in the amount and quality of conservation work has taken place. This document provides an update on the current situation, identifies the most threatened species with this group, prioritizes conservation action needed, and outlines project briefs for the most urgent cases.
