Fifty Common Birds of Oklahoma and the Southern Great Plains

by George Miksch Sutton

"This book aims at informing readers, in a painless way, about fifty species of common birds of Oklahoma and the Southern Great Plains," says Dr. George Miksch Sutton, noted ornithologist, writer and bird painter. A full-page color plate of a Sutton painting of each bird faces the page of text about that bird. The text itself does not describe the shape and color of the birds in great detail-the color plates do that-but accents the seasonal status of each species in Oklahoma, changes in plumage as the individual bird matures, important food habits, and breeding habits, especially of the species that breed in the area. Not all the birds discussed breed in Oklahoma or inhibit the state the year round. A few are found here only during migration or in winter, but these species are common in much of the state. A treasure of entertainment and information, the book is written not for bird students or ornithologists but for the general reader who appreciates the beauty of our common birds and wants to know more about them.

126 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1977

About the author

George Miksch Sutton (1898 - 1982) was an American ornithologist and bird artist. He published numerous technical papers in ornithology as well as more popular works illustrated with his own art. His early artistic work was inspired and tutored by Louis Agassiz Fuertes. In 1931, he was the first ornithologist to find the eggs of the Harris's Sparrow, one of the last North American birds to have its nest and eggs described. He did extensive field work in the Arctic (including Iceland), Oklahoma, Labrador, and Mexico. He received his doctorate from Cornell University and held academic posts at the University of Michigan and the University of Oklahoma, Norman.

Reviews

[Lara Irvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent text and descriptions. However, these are drawings/paintings, not photographs so this is not ideal as a field guide. Sutton was an amazing ornithologist.