Woodpecker - by Paul Bannick (Hardcover)

About the Book

Extraordinary, dynamic photographs of all 41 species across North America

Book Synopsis

Extraordinary, dynamic photographs of all 41 species across North America

Woodpeckers are one of the most remarkable bird species found in the avian world. They have evolved in ways that make them ecologically critical to forest health, serving as keystone species in a variety of wooded habitats across North America. Their activities support a variety of other creatures, making them catalysts of diversity in the places they inhabit. They are, in many ways, the heartbeat of the forest.

Informed by his own experiences in the field as well as extensive research, author and photographer Paul Bannick delves into the natural and cultural history of woodpeckers from the boreal forest of northern Canada to oak woodlands and conifer forests in the United States to the wet tropical forests of Mexico and the Caribbean. He captures the woodpeckers' charismatic behavior as well as their colorful displays and sensitive habitats in astonishing images. And with accessible, science-based text, Bannick explores their courtship and nest selection process in spring; life in the nest during summer; fledging and gaining independence in autumn; and the challenges of winter survival. He compares and contrasts typical behavior and anomalies among the 41 woodpecker species in North America, and shares their conservation outlook for the future. Robust captions, interesting sidebars, and a comprehensive field guide round out this extraordinary volume.

Review Quotes

No other author/photographer has come close to creating a book like this. Bannick's photos are breathtaking, his prose elegant, his knowledge of woodpeckers encyclopedic. If you love birds, read it. Then keep it handy because it has a second function as a field guide.--Ted Williams "wildlife writer"

Paul Bannick's camera work is so revelatory that Woodpecker is like sight for the blind. Never has this keystone species been portrayed so intimately. His prose explains that the extraordinary hammering that seems like tree vandalism is actually the work of forest doctors, as vital as they are beautiful. A lovely, informative book.--William Dietrich "Author of The Final Forest"

Paul Bannick's work captures more than just the beauty of the natural world--it captures its soul. I had the privilege of collaborating with Paul on his 2008 book The Owl and the Woodpecker, providing the accompanying sounds. Since then, he's become one of the world's foremost wildlife photographers, and his new book A Year in the Life of North American Woodpeckers is yet another masterpiece. His imagery doesn't just show us birds--it connects us to them. Truly remarkable.--Martyn Stewart "Co-Founder of The Listening Planet"