Reviewed by Evie Diaz and Donna Meredith
Endangered and Disappearing Birds of Appalachia and the Southeast (University of Kentucky Press 2024) contains stunning, captivating photography. Through the lens of patient and skilled photographer Matt Williams, we are able to view the eye-catching subjects of this book in great detail.
Fifty birds are covered in the volume, including such species as the Purple Gallinule, Mississippi Sandhill Crane, American Oystercatcher, and Wilson’s Plover, as well as eight types of warblers, five kinds of sparrows, and many others. The colorful Painted Bunting graces the front cover, but the inside photographs are just as spectacular. Each species is captured in several photographs which might serve to distinguish between male, female, or juvenile specimens and might even capture the differences in coloration during different seasons of the year.
These close-up photographs reveal intriguing details of these lovely winged creatures that are often missed by the naked eye. The beautiful photos offer a personal introduction to the endangered birds. The book will serve as a lasting legacy to the various species that may someday become extinct. In the introduction, Williams notes that nearly 3 billion birds have been lost in the United States and Canada since 1970. The biggest reason for their decline is loss of habitat.
The descriptions of the migratory and nesting habits, vocalizations, and current conservation concern scores, as well as maps depicting range, illustrate the depth of research Williams has conducted. But the book is more than a field guide to the fifty birds highlighted within. Williams provides insight into how each of us can do our part to help preserve these endangered natural wonders, as well as preserve the interconnecting ecosystems that sustain and benefit all life on earth.
Endangered and Disappearing Birds of Appalachia and the Southeast will appeal not only to the occasional birder, but also to those wishing for a beautiful coffee table book. It is one that readers could share with children and grandchildren to enhance their curiosity and to impart the importance of the natural world around us. It would make a thoughtful holiday gift for young and old alike.
Matt Williams
Matt Williams is an award-winning nature photographer and author. He is the current director of Conservation Programs for the Indiana chapter of the Nature Conservancy. His books include Indiana State Parks: A Centennial Celebration and Endangered and Disappearing Birds of the Midwest.
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