“This richly illustrated volume supplies both an identification guide and a comprehensive overview of raptor biology. While few people will take this book into the field to identify raptors, the detailed species accounts will serve as an important reference for birders. The authors draw upon their extensive birding background to include many observations and notes that are specific to California. Hans Peeters is also a highly accomplished artist. His many lively illustrations combine accurate detail with a rich sense of the birds' life. Together with a wealth of photographs, these images capture the myriad ways that raptors inhabit the landscape of California.”—David Lukas California Wild
“Featuring numerous range maps, color plates and photos, this is an outstanding paperback guide you’ll definitely want with you in the field.”—Bob Walch Coast Views
“[Hans’] latest work, Raptors of California, once again effectively showcases both his skill as a writer and his in-depth knowledge of raptors. . . . The book does double duty as the first half features some excellent natural history information. There is a nicely organized introduction and several well-illustrated chapters dealing with a Hawk’s Life. . . . It’s clear that this is not your run-of-the-mill field guide. It offers the reader an in-depth look into the lives of the raptors of California, conveyed in a manner that is sure to please a wide audience. . . . The artwork in the book is superb. . . . Overall, this is a nice piece of work by Hans an Pam Peeters. The writing is concise, yet very information and the $17.95 price of the paperback is a real bargain. It deserves a place in the library of any falconer or raptor enthusiast.”—Jon d’Arpino Hawk Chalk
“Raptors of California gives a look at everything from eagles to falcons, with color plates, photos and locator maps.”—Lee Sutter San Luis Obispo Tribune
“Profiles the magnificent bird group that includes hawks, eagles and falcons. . . . Raptors of California is especially notable for pointing out distinguishing marks of difficult-to-identify species.”—Santa Cruz Sentinel
“Hans and Pam Peeters of Sunol have coauthored a natural history guide on California raptors that lifts this form of literature to a new level vis a vis its readability. Such guides tend to be suffocatingly technical. . . His guide doesn’t ignore such data, but is is also spiced with anecdotes and observations that show hawks, eagles, falcons and other raptors of California to be more than just their feathers and markings. The book . . . shows them to be creatures with diverse and fascinating personalities. . . . Raptors of California will be prized by more than raptor watchers. It’s one of those books that belongs in every library-a book you return on again and again and again, dipping in it a few pages at a time.”—The Independent
“The book is a pure delight to read.”—Western North American Naturalist
"Although written for California, this book will be prized by raptor watchers from around the US for its insightful and descriptive notes on behavior and ecology and its gorgeous and accurate paintings."—Allen Fish, Director, Golden Gate Raptor Observatory
"This is actually two books for the price of one; the introductory chapters stand-alone as an excellent natural history of North America raptors, and the species accounts and spectacular plates make this one of the best state raptor books available."—Lloyd Kiff, Science Director, The Peregrine Fund