Birds Books

Absolutely unparalleled -- I completely agree that this book is the best I have seen of its kind. I only wish there were such exquisitely detailed birding information available for other cities I frequent, such as Philly, D.C., and Boston.

Both Lynne Carpenter and Joel Greenberg are well known in the Chicago area as great birders. And I've been lucky to have had the pleasure of birding with both of them. I am so grateful that they've committed their knowledge to this book. If you bird in the Chicago area then this book is a "must have" for your birding library.

Kudos for Joel Greenberg and Lynne Carpenter's recently published book. I have sampled many, many bird finding guides, as most dedicated birders have, but I rank their new `Birders Guide to the Chicago Region', as the best of its type. Its comprehensiveness, indexing, maps, species accounts and locations, accuracy and ease of use are unparalleled. Lynne and Joel: You have my highest compliments for an absolutely first rate job!

I can't believe there,s only been 2 Reviews on this book!Both are 5 Stars and it doesn't surprise me.For a backyard birdfeeder ,hunt as you may,it would be easier to win your battle with the squirrels,than to find a better book on the subject;and even if you did,it wouldn't compare with the enjoyment this book will give you.It was first published in 1997
and I see it is still commanding the original price.The reason for that is simple--it's worth it.Come to think of it,maybe the reason there have been only 2 Reviews to date is that of all the backyard feeders are too tired out from battling the squirrels or from all those maneouvers,their brains have turned to mush;and they can't retain a thought anymore to allow them to write it down.If that describes you,this book will become your Bible and you can become "Born Again" and learn how to enjoy the whole scene of birdfeeding;yes,and even get to enjoy the squirrels.You might as well;never mind winning the war,you haven't even won a battle,or even a skirmish yet--and to put it frankly,you're not likely to!
This book of 197 pages is jam-packed with everything you ever wanted to know,much which you have never even thought about,and maybe even stuff you don't even want to know.I believe we already established that,after all you're probably battle fatigued,if not downright shell-shocked.After reading this book ,and laughing all the way through it,you'll be walking around with such a big smile on your face,that everyone ,especially your family,will think you have finally 'lost it' (maybe the appropriate words is gone nuts)over the squirrels.With this book, you will finally have all the answers and your life with the birds and the squirrels,
(forget the bees,they don't even come into the discussion)other than that aspect of your life will probably improve with the reduction in your stress level.
I have been feeding the birds for many years and ran the whole gamut of feeders,seed types,pie-plate shields,spools on the wire,grease on the pole,slinkys (boy, did the squirrels love that till they learned the trick.One stretched it down while the other climbed up it).
Well we are all at peace now around here.Not only has the cease fire lasted a couple of years,maybe those guys in the Mid East should take notice,but I really believe the war is over.Not only did nobody lose;we're all winners.
I am not trying to one-up the author,but here,s where I finally ended up.
Since I can't make a sketch here;I'll try to describe my present feeding station.It is somewhat like you see on page 31.
It is free standing,about 25 feet from trees,bushes,wires and buildings.It consists of a 1 1/2inch steel pipe with about 9 feet above ground and bout 2 feet below ground in a PVC sleeve,so it can be easily removed.Similar to how lots of people instal a clothes drying rack.At the top of the pole is a "Tee" through wlich runs a 7 foot pipe (horizontal to the ground)I suspend my feeders from that pipe ,using wire type shower curtain hangers,secured in blace with tape,and left open to hang the feeders on.All fine and dandy,but what about our "Tree Rats"?
They would have no trouble climbing the pole except for the guard. It is similar to pg 31.I made it from a 30 inch long section of vent duct,9 inches in diameter held up by a cap of sheet metal.Also, this guard starts about 30 inches above the ground,extends up about 30 inches ,then there is pipe for about 30 inches to the top and the hanging bar.Across the top, I have a 7 or 8 foot branch taped horizontally for birds to land or perch on and that helps them from being picked off by accipiters.The squirrels accepted defeat and now feed on the ground with the doves; everybody's happy.I have never had a squirrel on the feeders since.The only drawbcck is the height of the hooks,but I keep a bench nearby for that.I know that if I were to lower the bar a couple of feet ,the war would start all over again.In other words,"If it ain't broke,don't fix it."If this is confusing e-mail me .
What a great book,if you feed birds you'll love it.If you know someone who does,I it would make a super gift.

This is a terrific, and funny, little book. Visiting a friend, we found a copy in her bathroom. It's great bathroom reading -- one line, cartoon, or many. I love the cartoon showing a man in a hospital bed with his arms and legs in casts, with a squirrel looking in the window. The squirrel says, "it's only a game. Don't take it seriously."

I'm buying a copy for me, and two copies for friends.

This is one of the funniest books I have ever read. I laughed until I cried. I worked in a bookstore and recommended this to anyone who asked about birdfeeding. I had to buy extra copies to give to my friends and parents.

As a seasoned world birder with a very extensive birding library, I have purchased dozens of birdfinding guides to regions, countries, states, cities, parks and refuges, and local areas. Scott Roederer's book ranks among the very best birdfinding guides available. I purchased it prior to a trip to RMNP in 2003 and used it to successfully find a number of specialty species missing from my ABA Area and Colorado lists. Scott's book is sort of like a Lane/ABA Birdfinding Guide, but better. Since RMNP is large and possesses many different habitats, Scott has divided the park into about eight areas and provided thorough birdfinding directions for each of these areas. He uses easy-to-follow directions and strategies for locating not only specialty species, but the more common western birds as well. This book is easily used while driving your car since Scott has provided mileages (from various start points) using your trip odometer and bird species names in boldface. The same goes for use when hiking along trails. This book is directed toward both casual and serious birders who want to easily locate their target birds in a reasonable period of time while enjoying the beauty of RMNP. My main target birds for my all too brief trip to RMNP were the Brown-capped Rosy Finch, Williamson's Sapsucker, and Three-toed Woodpecker. Using Scott's directions and strategies for avoiding the crowds, I easily found the sapsucker and woodpecker on my first try at the Endovalley picnic area and the rosy finch along Trail Ridge Road at the Lava Cliffs parking area. The Lava Cliffs parking area is normally crammed full of tourists and birding is difficult or impossible. Scott suggested arriving at dawn before the other tourists were up and about and this strategy worked brilliantly. I had the entire parking area to myself and within minutes had several Brown-capped Rosy Finches land on the retaining wall about several meters from me. I'm looking forward to using this book again on my next trip to RMNP.

This summer while stopped at an overlook on Trail Ridge Rd. in Rocky Mountain National Park, we spoke with a Park Ranger who had Scott Roederer's Birding Rocky Mountain National Park book in her vehicle. She told us that Scott's book was the best book on birding in RMNP. She uses it as a reference for park visitors who have questions about different birds and where to find them. It also is very well illustrated. I would definitely recommend this book for birders who visit this magnificent Park.

As first time visitors to Rocky Mountain Park, we purchased Scott Roederer's Birding Rocky Mountain National Park in the park bookstore, but we wish we had had it to study beforehand. This guide not only focuses on the best locations for specific birds, but also provides careful directions (complete with odometer readings!) to trailheads that go well beyond the general maps available. We were also grateful for his strategies for avoiding the summer crowds, including when to arrive at specific trails and the order in which to bird them. Add to all of this Scott's warm, lucid style spiced with birding anecdotes that we can all relate to, and you get a bible for birding Rocky. Although we are certain that birding the park with Scott would have been the supreme experience, carrying his book in a hip pocket is the next best thing!

This book has helped me a great deal. The species accounts are very informative. The photography is beautiful. I think this would be great for both new and experienced birds who live in or plan on visited the Rockies.

This book has helped me a great deal. The species accounts are very informative. The photography is beautiful. I think this would be great for both new and experienced birds who live in or plan on visited the Rockies.

I think this book is a great book for birders. It helped me learn birds by where I was (habitat), where in the past I had no real way of having core knowledge to build on for what birds I would see based on what type of habitat I was in (I'm not an expert birder). I've never seen another field guide done this way and I think it's a great way to catagorize birds.

The pictures are great and the stories along with the identification info make this book a good read. I really enjoyed the Raven and Wolf story.

I recommend birders add this book to their collection.

My second grader had to do a research for her science fair project on "The Flight of A Bird" as she named her project and this book had perfect and complete information at that level. We did not have to go look anywhere else for additional information. It is very easy to read and understand and has lots of illustrations to explain the topics. I absolutely love it. Note that I did not know anything about how a bird flies and just by reading this book with my daughter I understand the topic as well as she does now. So we both learned from it.

Focuses on the anatomical design of birds that allows flight and the physics of flight. At the same time, it is part field guide with detailed and colorful illustrations of a wide variety of birds. Some topics covered are lift, wings, feathers, taking off, flapping, gliding, soaring, and migration. There is a cursory mention of other flyers and gliders like bats, squirrels, and extinct flying reptiles. Karen Woodworth-Roman, Children's Science Book Review.

Superbly illustrated by Patricia J. Wynne and informatively written for young readers by Caroline Arnold, Birds: Nature's Magnificent Flying Machines is an extraordinary picture book for children detailing birds and their amazing ability to fly. From the mechanics of flapping, to different styles of wings, to how some birds use thermals or ocean winds to soar, Birds: Nature's Magnificent Flying Machines is an amazing fact-filled tour of one of nature's common yet ingenious miracles. No school or community library collection should be without a copy of Caroline Arnold and Patricia J. Wynne's Birds: Nature's Magnificent Flying Machines.

With her amusing characters, Ms Sherman encourages us all to grow old with wit and wisdom, imagination and enthusiasm. Can't wait to see what is next for Mavis in her pursuit of her "best self."

Sherman presents a witty look at aging in her memorable character, Mavis. Can't wait for the next in the trilogy.

A quirky story with interest, depth, and great characters! If you like Anne Tyler, you'll love Elizabeth Doak Sherman.

This book is just exquisite; heirloom quality. Not only do I want this quilt on my bed, I want to rug hook every panel for my floors and walls. Thank you so much A & A for sharing your talents with us.

This is a GREAT quilt book, as always Barb Adams & Alma Allen have out did themselves.

This is simply beautiful!!! The blocks are exceptional. I can't wait to start. Adams and Allen ALWAYS produce excellent products. Thanks A & A.

This book was given to me by the author, who was also my advisor for my M.S. at Georgia Southern University. I love the book, and am planning on giving it to my father for Father's Day.

Wonderful book, gave to my husband for Christmas. Now he is bird watching. really nice book and the pictures are really nice.

Written by one of my current Professors at Georgia Southern University....great book! Lots of pictures and very informative. Easy to find the bird you're looking for....highly recommended!

I love the Birds of Iowa Field Guide. I bought it on a whim several years ago, after spotting it on a bargain table at large bookstore. Now I turn to it often. I have a bird bath and a bird feeder in my backyard in Des Moines. Whenever I spot a bird that I do not recognize, I can find it easily using the full-color photographs in the Guide. I also use the Guide to find out more about birds that are already familiar to me. The author's notes are helpful and often fascinating. I am going to buy a copy of the Guide for my parents, since they also love to watch the birds in their own backyard.

I am an amateur birdwatcher, and just starting out in Iowa. The idea of classifying birds according to colour, and not according to the scientific classification of waders/raptors/... is a simple idea that's highly useful to a rookie like me.

The photographs in the book are amazing. I have always found most of the field guides to be confusing, since the paintings used will not reflect the true vibrancy of the colours of the birds in the field. Since the book adopts the policy of using high-quality photographs, it does seem to be more accessible. Bird identification no longer seems to be the pain that it usually is. I would recommend this book to anyone who is starting out into the world of birds!

"The Birds of Iowa Field Guide" is the first and greatest source I have found to identify birds in my own Iowa backyard. The 270-plus full-page color photographs are not only excellent quality, but they are organized in easy to use color coded sections that allow you to flip through pages quickly based on the color of bird that you see. For example, the male cardinal can be found in the red section, the female cardinal can be found in the brown section.

Of special interest are the author's personal notes which are included among the descriptions of everything from size to nesting habits. Range maps on each page clearly show when and where the birds will be found. Beginners will find the tips for identifying birds and other bird basics most informative.

For the Iowa birdwatcher, this book tops the list because there's no need to search through pages and pages of birds that cannot be found in Iowa. All in all, it is outstanding.

This is a large beautiful edition of Michigan birds written by many of Michigan's ornithologists and most knowledgable birders. The illustrations and artwork are superb and I wish I could have them as artwork in my home without tearing them out of the book.

This is not a field guide or identification book but a resource of most of the knowledge about each species of bird seen in Michigan up to the publication date of the book.

I refer to this often when I wish to get more information on a birds history of occurance in the state or its population status or biology.

More recent information on species status and sightings can be found on the Michigan Bird Records Committee website.

Anyone that is interested in the birds of Michigan would treasure this book.

The Natural History of Michigan avifauna presented includes population fluctuation, habitat changes, current status; historical records verified from as far back as the 19th c. in some cases. Reasons for decline or increase in numbers and range are usually well known or theorized by ornithologists (there are a few unsolved mysteries) A less pedestrian look at these details: " Maurice Gibbs in 1879 reports the Cardinal or 'Red Bird' as an "accidental visitor"

Artwork: Full sized color plates = full page layouts featuring the male and female set amongst their preferred habitats or a vegetaional sample. A Bobolink chortles in his mellow hay field, The Towhees scratch leaves under the brambles and the Great Gray Owl is caught in the act of enchanting his Northern starlit forest.

Includes species extinct and extirpated as well as all species that have visited the State at least once on record. As an example, a McCown's Longspur is listed as a Michigan bird, a species that rarely if ever seen anywhere beyond it's breeding range in the Upper Midwest, (Colorado to Alberta), yet a verified record exists at Whitefish Point - Chippewa County in May, 1981.

What else? If anything it manages to capture the great beauty found in the details of a birds life. (The Great Horned owl female sits through yet another snowstorm on an old heron nest to keep her two eggs warm in the late winter incubation period.)

SB

"The Birds of Michigan" is more than an oversize picture book. It's a treasure. The 200 species of birds that nest in Michigan are depicted in original, full color paintings by Michigan artists, and the detailed text on over 400 birds that have been seen in the state is compulsive reading. The species accounts were written by some of the state's leading ornithologist-naturalists, including their own field observations, and I learned something new about my favorite birds on almost every page. Originally, I'd checked "The Birds of Michigan" out of the library, but once I'd read it, I had to buy a copy of my own.

The careful observations and the level of detail about each species sets a standard none of the field guides can match:

* The earliest published spring arrival date for Chimney Swifts in Detroit is 04/05/1981.
* Belted Kingfishers excavate nesting burrows in river banks, usually taking a week to dig a tunnel three to six feet long.
* Forest regeneration and winter feeding stations have extended the range of the Red-Bellied Woodpecker to the Northern Lower Peninsula.
* I'm glad I'm not the only birder in Michigan who misidentifies the Pine Warbler for a Chipping or Swamp Sparrow!

My heart-felt thanks to the artists, ornithologists, editors, and sponsors of this book: Sarett Nature Center; Kalamazoo Nature Center; and First of America Bank. It must have very expensive to produce, but the results are worth every penny spent. My only suggestion for the next edition would be the inclusion of a CD of Michigan birdsongs.