Stuart A. Alexander

Basics: 2003, hardcover, 628 pages, 600 color photos, 223 illustrations, 288 species, atlas maps

This is an excellent reference to the Canadian province adjacent to Alaska. The book covers all 288 species known at the time of publication and does so with extensively researched information. Although most birds are shown with a color photograph, this book is not meant to be an identification guide. Instead, it is a well documented reference to the distribution, status, habitat, and seasonal show more presence of each bird within the Yukon Territory.

The value of this book is definitely in its text. The authors have done a great job at collecting data from many sources to compile the information into a very useful account for each bird. The five primary topics covered are distribution, seasonal patterns, nesting, habitat, and noteworthy records. Two other topics vary in length for remarks and for world range.

Each bird is given a large, 4x4 inch map of the Yukon Territory with good geologic detail (rivers, road, lat/long). The presence of the bird is denoted with a coded circle. The circle represents each of the four seasons as well as confirmed breeding. It’s interesting to note how many of the sightings are located along major roadways into this remote northern area. Accompanying the map is a seasonal bar-chart displaying the number of records for each of the months. This helps to give a quick, easy-to-understand image of the bird’s seasonal presence.

Most of the color photos are good quality, while some of them being are little small or distant. But, these are meant to give the reader a view of the bird and not to be used for identification detail. The number of photos range from 0-4 for each bird. Also included for some birds are black-and-white line drawings.

The first 57 pages of the book offer a good overview of the Yukon's historical and current ecology . Enhanced with 90 photos and maps, the authors provide a good account of the environment, bird history, culture, and conservation.

This is a remarkable book that is equal to or better than any other similar book done on Canada or the US. This large (and heavy) book is a must reference for the northern birder.

I’ve listed several related books below…
1) The Birds of British Columbia, Volumes 1-4 by Campbell et al.
2) The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta by Semenchuk
3) The Birds of Alberta by Salt
4) The Birds of Canada by Godfrey
5) Birds of Western Canada by Taverner
6) Guide to the Birds of Alaska by Armstrong
7) Birds of Alaska by Gabrielson/Lincoln show less