Bird word Territory: The area in which a pair of birds court, breed, nest and raise their young. It will be selected, most often by the male, for the particular characteristics the species needs for success. Because most birds aren't courting, breeding and nesting in winter, they tend to be far less territorial.

Reverse snowbirds Every winter, this one included, uncommon and unusual bird visitors will be seen somewhere in the state. They usually make their way here from the north and the west. Past visitors have included Arctic gulls, and hummingbirds that should be in Mexico, not Minnesota. So watch your feeders and check any open rivers or streams you pass. If you're out birding, look carefully at every bird. You never know what you'll find in winter.

JIM WILLIAMS

Super hot bird spots Chris Santella has hit on a successful formula. The author of "Fifty Places to Sail [or Fly Fish or Play Golf] Before You Die" has now introduced a birding book, "Fifty Places to Go Birding Before You Die" (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, $24.95)

For the book, the prolific Santella recruited 50 top birders to write about their favorites. There's Sheri Williamson on Belize, Phil Eager on Point Reyes National Seashore, Kenn Kaufman on Ecuador's Tandayapa-Mindo region and Scott Weidensaul on Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. Other birders also extol magical spots in Borneo, Venezuela, the Andaman Islands, Papau, New York City and even Wisconsin.

According to Santella, the sites were chosen for the rarity or concentrations of birds they host, incredible scenery, valuable ecosystem or a combination of the aforementioned. And he includes information on how to get to each spot, best time to visit and how to find a guide. A few of the pieces were written by tour leaders, which may smack of promotion to some readers. But then again, the guides know their areas well.

The book's photography is spectacular -- from Madagascar's breathtaking blue-billed helmet vanga to the mist-filled forests of El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve in Mexico.

If the hummingbirds of Jamaica are calling, or you think you may never get to see the soaring gyrfalcons of Iceland, check out Santella's book -- before you die.

VAL CUNNINGHAM