The vast literature on the history of birds is continually growing, but rarely has this information been compiled so that it is readily available in one reference work. Birds of Ontario is such a work, providing a comprehensive summary of the life history requirements of bird species in the province.

In the first volume, information on habitat, limiting factors, and status is presented for 84 species of nonpasserines that occur regularly in Ontario. These topics are covered for the three primary avian seasons: breeding, migration, and winter. A wealth of information, including habitat, nest sites, territoriality, site fidelity, annual reproductive effort, habitat loss and degradation, and environmental contaminants, are covered in the species accounts. The book is greatly enhanced by illustrations by Ross James. Maps depicting breeding and wintering range are also presented for each species.

Birds of Ontario will be an essential reference for wildlife biologists, environmental consultants, and planners preparing or reviewing environmental impact statements and environmental assessments. Serious birders will find it of interest as well. Although the book focuses on Ontario birds, it is highly relevant to adjacent provinces and states.

Al Sandilands is an environmental consultant employed by his own firm, Gray Owl Environmental Inc. His formal learning focused on fisheries and aquatic entomology but, through his long-time interest in birds, he evolved into a wildlife biologist.

Al Sandilands' profile page

The series is intended to be “an essential reference for wildlife biologists, environmental consultants, and planners preparing or reviewing environmental impact statements and environmental assessments.” However, serious birders will find these books to be of great interest as well, since they present “so many interesting aspects of the ecology of Ontario birds” ... A strength of this book is that publication citations are provided in the text so that the reader is aware of the source for most statements in the species accounts, and can access the original material if desired. The emphasis on Ontario-based references distinguishes this book from other life history compilations. Sandilands has done a very thorough job of researching information, with 60 pages of literature cited ... I think Birds of Ontario will be a very useful reference for environnmental consultants and planners, but also an interesting read and a valuable information source for Ontario birders. A tremendous amount of material is summarized in the species accounts, and it is presented in a well written style. I strongly recommend this book and future volumes in the series.

Ontario Birds