Peterson Reference Guide to Woodpeckers of North America
by Stephen A. Shunk
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016. Sponsored by the Roger Tory Peterson Institute and the National Wildlife Federation.
This book is 300 pages long and contains chapters on the anatomy, behavior, ecology, and conservation of all 23 species of woodpeckers that are native to North America. It also includes full species accounts for each individual species. An large appendix contains information on the family tree of woodpeckers as well as the relationships between humans and woodpeckers.
Each species profile contains information on the following topics: distribution, breeding range, seasonal movements, winter range, breeding range, detection, vocal and nonvocal sounds, visual identification, plumages and molt, distinctive characteristics, similar species, geographic variation, subspecies, hybridization, breeding and nonbreeding behavior, courtship, parenting, dispersal, foraging, territory defense and sociality, interactions with other species, conservation, habitat threats. The text is accompanied with a plethora of graphics as well as stunning photography that was taken by several of the most accomplished photographers in the industry.