The ultimate field manual for identifying distant raptors The ultimate must-have guide for identifying migrant raptors, Hawks at a Distance is the first volume to focus on distant raptors as they are truly seen in the field. Jerry Liguori, a leading expert on North American raptors, factors in new information and approaches for identifying twenty-nine species of raptor in various lighting situations and settings. The field guide's nineteen full-color portraits, 558 color photos, and 896 black-and-white images portray shapes and plumages for each species from all angles. Useful flight identification criteria are provided and the accompanying text discusses all aspects of in-flight hawk identification, including flight style and behavior. Concentrating on features that are genuinely observable at a distance, this concise and practical field guide is ideal for any aspiring or experienced hawk enthusiast. The first guide to focus on distant raptors as they are viewed in the field - New information and approaches for identifying distant raptors - Illustrates twenty-nine species in various lighting situations and settings - 558 color photos and 896 black-and-white images depicting plumage and shape characteristics - All aspects of in-flight hawk identification, including flight style and behavior "If you love watching hawks, Liguori's Hawks at a Distance is an essential aid which will help build your identification skills." ---Wayne Mones, Audubon Magazine "A must-have for raptor people!" ---Ian Paulsen, Birdbooker Report "Possibly the best-ever raptor identification guide in print. . . . If you are serious about identifying birds of prey, whether at a hawk-watch site, or during your everyday birding, the advances made by the author with this book can assist you in achieving that goal in ways few books have done previously. . . . Highly recommended." ---William P. Mueller, Bluebird's Laugh " Hawks at a Distance is an advanced study written by an authority in raptors. Mr. Liguori's book is great to be read with attention and what you learn you will treasure greatly if you are an active birder." ---H.J. Ruiz, My Backyard Visitors "This is an absolute 'must have' for anyone who has ever even briefly wondered, 'What kind of hawk was that?' . . . Practical and beautiful. . . . If you have even the slightest interest in birds, you should own this book." ---Alan Speakman, eBirdseed.com "Jerry Liguori has found a way to communicate to birders of all ages and skill levels how he can identify hawks at a distance. He provides us with a study tool that is the next best thing to being with him atop a ridge near a hawk flyway. . . . By putting in the work to study these photos and internalizing the helpful text explaining what is shown in each photo, you would be ready to join a hawk-watch group and dazzle them with your advanced skills." ---Robert Mortensen, Birding is Fun "This book has a lot to offer hawk watchers of all levels of experience." ― A Charm of Finches " Hawks at a Distance is a neat little book and valuable reference." ---Angus Wilson, OceanWanderers Book Shelf "A remarkable and important field guide." ---Greg Laden, Science "Every birder with an interest in hawks should own this book. And really, what birder isn't interested in hawks? Show me a birder that doesn't enjoy an afternoon at a good hawk-watch, and I'll show you a dog that doesn't like cheese." ---Greg Niese, North American Birding " Hawks at a Distance provides a great way to look at shape and form of raptors, and not just plumage. . . . Hawks at a Distance is for all birders, not just hawk aficionados. The ability to identify hawks at a distance is crucial to all bird counts and to all birding situations." ---Birdfreak.com "Liguori's innovation is to show these magnificent birds as you most often actually see them--in flight and at a distance. He does show one close-up shot of most of the species, but he follows that with many shots of the bird in action from different angles. Studying these excellent pictures gives one a sense of the shape of the bird, which is one of the most indicative traits for identification, and it allows you to see those obvious field marks that might actually be seen from a great distance." ― The Nature of Things "If you have any interest in hawk watching you need this book. . . . It truly is a revolutionary guide and will certainly be a tool for teaching many a hawk watcher in the coming years. I would tell even the most seasoned of birders to add this to their collection. . . . [It] will surely be one of, if not the most influential hawk watching guide ever." ― Utah Birders "Certainly a book for aspiring as well as veteran hawk-watchers." ― Rosyfinch Ramblings "All-in-all, this book is a must have for any hawk watcher or any birder that wants to learn more about hawk identification. I am in love with the book and haven't been able to put it down for a few weeks now. I w