Buteo Books was founded in 1971 by Joyce and Byron Harrell in Vermillion, South Dakota. List number one, on a single sheet of paper, offered some 50 birds books for sale. In 1991 the business was purchased by Allen Hale and moved to Shipman, Virginia. Today we offer and stock the largest selection of ornithology books in North America; over 2,000 titles in print, including field guides, finding guides, and scientific textbooks. We offer hundreds of rare and out-of-print books every year, from bargain used books to rare antiquarian books from previous centuries. New, used, or out-of-print; Buteo Books is the place to locate that hard-to-find title. 

Buteo Books has expanded in several directions over the decades, but our core objective remains: "to stock the widest selection of titles on ornithology and birdwatching to be found in the world while providing knowledgeable advice and excellent customer service."

Recent Developments

• Several years ago we purchased the extant inventory of the publications of the American Museum of Natural History through 1959: Memoirs, Bulletins, and American Museum Novitates.  Additionally, publications in ornithology for subsequent years are available. 
• Buteo Books is the authorized agent for back issues of publications of the American Ornithologists' Union including the AOU Check-list and Ornithological Monographs through 2007. 
• Buteo Books now owns the complete stock of single species accounts in the Birds of North America series, and a few complete sets are still available.
• As of June 1, 2009, Buteo Books is the new outlet for ABA Sales, the publishing and bookselling arm of the American Birding Association. We believe that this partnership between the non-profit association catering to recreational birders and the largest seller of new, used, and out-of-print ornithology books in the world will be beneficial for everyone.
  Read more About ABA Sales

Our Offerings

Buteo Books stocks the largest selection of new, used, and antiquarian bird books in the world. Every in-print book that we offer is currently listed on this website, and new ones are being added every day. We are also working quickly to include our selection of multiple thousands of antiquarian and used books on this site. We hope to complete this project by Labor Day, 2010. In the meantime, please feel free to contact us about any specific books for which you are looking.

Our Staff

We pride ourselves on our customer service. Our small but knowledgeable staff is happy to offer advice, experience, and recommendations. We're here to make sure that you get the book you need. If we don't have it in stock, we can probably find it for you. 

Our Commitment

Buteo Books is a family-owned and operated business based on the firm belief that independent booksellers are a vital component of our social and cultural landscape.  We share a love and appreciation of birds with our customers and are committed to preserving biological diversity and supporting conservation efforts throughout the world. We re-use packing materials and paper, recycle every day, and do NOT send out catalogs indiscriminately. Our mailing list is not shared and we do not wish to send catalogs to people who do not want them. 

Our Location

Buteo Books occupies an extension of the residence of Allen Hale and Barbara Fiske in rural Nelson County, Virginia between the James River and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our warehouse is a few miles down the road and we welcome visitors at either location by appointment.  Hawks and owls, not to mention Hooded and Worm-eating Warblers, nest in our woods and we feel fortunate to live in such a beautiful, tranquil place.  Our store is open by appointment only, so please call in advance for directions and to make sure someone is available.

For more information:
FAQ/SHIPPING COSTS     -    CONTACT US

Buteo Books is now on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/ButeoBooks

Allen Hale - Barbara Fiske - Jamie Hale - Stacey Hitzeman

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Buteo Books
3130 Laurel Road
Shipman, VA 22971, USA

CONTACT US:
Phone: 434-263-8671;
Toll-free: 800-722-2460
Fax: 434-263-4842;
e-mail: customerservice@buteobooks.com
Hours: 9 to 5 (EST) Monday - Friday