FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Discover the Birds of the California Delta in New Illustrated Guide written by Aaron N. K. Haiman and illustrated by Martha Espinoza
New entry into Heyday’s beloved Birds of California series, following the success of Birds of Point Reyes, Birds of Lake Merritt, and Birds of Berkeley
BERKELEY, CALIF. — Birds of the California Delta (on sale March 25, 2025), a beautifully illustrated new guide by lifelong birder and Delta resident Aaron N. K. Haiman, invites readers to explore the avian diversity of one of California’s most biodiverse regions. From the wetlands where the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers meet, to cultivated farmland and urban landscapes, Haiman showcases the bird species that thrive in this dynamic estuary.
With vivid full-color illustrations and detailed descriptions, the book brings to life the birds of the Delta, from the striking grace of ibises and cranes to the more cacophonous presence of woodpeckers and grackles. Haiman’s approachable writing style captures the essence of birdwatching in this ecologically rich area, offering insights into the birds’ behavior, habitat, and
role in the Delta’s ecosystem.
“Set in the center of the state of California at the confluence of its two largest rivers […] the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (the Delta) is the beating heart of California’s water system,” writes Haiman in his introductory essay about the region.
Accessible to both experienced birders and newcomers, this guide is a celebration of the Delta’s birds and their habitat.
Media Contact:
Kalie Caetano
Marketing & Publicity Director, Heyday
For review copies, feature interest, and interview and image requests, get in touch: publicity@heydaybooks.com
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Praise for Birds of the California Delta
“Aaron Haiman’s lyrical impressions of the birds of the Delta landscape are spot-on and inspiring, especially partnered with Martha Espinoza’s true-to-color and feather-detailed paintings. These birds will stay with you long after you put the book down.”
—ALLEN FISH, ecologist and former director of the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory
Praise for the Birds of California Series, published by Heyday
“A meditation on beauty and survival.”
—AMY TAN, author of The Backyard Bird Chronicles
“More than an identification guide. It takes us beyond the who’s who to why we care. Learn how to think about birds in a way that will deepen your love of feathered things. Combines scientific research, local insights, humor, and beautiful and accurate artwork. [These books] will deepen your sense of place and open insights to beauty, wonder, and connection to the natural world.”
—JOHN MUIR LAWS, author/illustrator of The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada
“A must-have for anyone who wants to better understand and appreciate our neighbors.”
—JENNY ODELL, author of How to Do Nothing and Saving Time
“I’ve always known Lake Merritt as a great place to look for birds, not knowing that it was originally designated as a bird sanctuary over 150 years ago—the first wildlife refuge in the country! [The Birds of Lake Merritt] is the perfect introduction to the lake and its birds, and it’s sure to give you a new appreciation of both.”
—DAVID ALLEN SIBLEY, author of What It’s Like to Be a Bird
“A compact treasury of natural history knowledge.”
—BURR HENEMAN, former executive director of Point Reyes Bird Observatory
“It’s not only the technical accuracy of the illustrations that make them so remarkable […] it is the way they are presented that conveys the more important lessons to both interested bird watchers as well as to any aspiring illustrators studying the book for the improvement of their own craft. […] Given these qualities, Birds of Berkeley is as much a reference guide as it is a work of both literary and visual art.”
—JOHANNES E. RIUTTA, The Well-Read Naturalist
Aaron N. K. Haiman volunteered from a young age with bird research organizations before receiving a BS in Environmental Science from UC Berkeley as well as MS degrees in Avian Science and Animal Behavior from UC Davis. Aaron guides bird walks, mentors high school students in ecology and sustainability, leads a youth bird-a-thon team, and gives presentations on birds and habitat restoration. He works for the State of California and lives in West Sacramento.
