Includes bibliographical references (pages 271-305) and index.

"The decline of bird species in a wide range of North American habitats - forests, prairies, shrub-lands, mountain regions, marshes, and deserts - has inspired two decades of intense scientific study of bird ecology and conservation. But for professional scientists and amateur birders alike, interpreting the results of these diverse studies is often complex and bewildering. This book pulls together recent research on bird species and habitats to show how basic ecological principles apply in seemingly different situations. Robert A. Askins provides an introduction to bird ecology and concepts of landscape ecology, focusing on such species as Bachman's Warbler, Red Crossbill, Mountain Plover, and Marbled Murrelet." "Askins challenges some of the assumptions that underlie current conservation efforts and offers concrete recommendations for protecting the rich natural diversity of North America's birds."--Jacket.