Back to Idaho Bird Distribution
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
The primary
source of historical information for this study was Thomas D. Burleigh's BIRDS
OF IDAHO (1972): Caxton Printers, Ltd. Caldwell, Idaho). This was the first major scientific
treatment of Idaho's birds. Although
spotty in his coverage of the state, Burleigh's work is excellent because of
his review of historical records, attention to the location of sightings, and
collection of specimens. This book is
now our-of-print. Species regarded as
"breeding" by Burleigh were given a "b" designation unless
evidence of confirmed breeding was specifically mentioned.
The following
journals were reviewed for Idaho bird records:
American birds, Audubon Field Notes, Auk, Condor, Murrelet, Northwestern
Naturalist, Northwest Science Proceedings of the Idaho Academy of Sciences,
Tebiwa, Western Birds, and Wilson Bulletin.
The ornithological collections of the Idaho Museum of Natural History
(at Idaho State University), The University of Idaho, and the Connor Museum of
Natural History (at Washington State University) were valuable sources of
information. Numerous unpublished
reports from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service (including the Breeding Bird Survey) were reviewed. The Idaho Conservation Data Center provided
their database and expertise.
Perhaps the
most valuable source of information came from the hundreds of observers who
submitted thousands of records directly to the authors. Drafts of the first edition were sent to
birders across the state for review, and hundreds of Documentation for Latilong
Status Change forms were sent to the Department of Fish and Game between 1991
and 1997. The authors encourage birders
to look for gaps in the latilong maps of their areas, complete Status Change forms
and send them in. Use the Rare Bird Form for any species with Less than
20 records for the state.
