PIERRE, S.D. – From the widespread black-capped chickadee to the more unusual gray-crowned rosy-finch, South Dakota wildlife watchers will find color photos and descriptions of nearly 80 species in a new guide to birds that may visit backyards or small properties.

The Game, Fish and Parks Department has produced the backyard bird booklet to give readers tips on how to identify and attract birds. A bird checklist will help you document your growing bird list.

The “2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service demonstrated the outdoor interests of South Dakotans goes beyond hunting and fishing to a broader range of outdoor activities – wildlife viewing, photography, and bird feeding – particularly if they can be done close to home.

In 2006, 432,000 South Dakotans were wildlife watchers. They spent $183 million dollars on watchable wildlife pursuits in 2006 alone. Sixty percent of them enjoyed these activities around the home by viewing, feeding, and photographing birds and providing wildlife habitat or nesting structures.

To meet this strong and widespread interest, GFP Wildlife Division staff created the guide, with financial help from a dozen conservation organizations. Sponsors include Batworks, Brookings Wildlife Federation, Great Lakes of South Dakota Association, Human Dimensions Consulting, Izaak Walton League of America South Dakota Division, Izaak Walton League of America McCook Lake Chapter, Missouri Breaks Audubon Society, Northern Hills Bird Club, Prairie Hills Audubon Society, South Dakota Ornithologists’ Union, South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation, and Wildlife Experiences.

To request a copy, visit
http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/Diversity/BackyardBirdsBook.htm