Customer Reviews

Attracting and Feeding Hummingbirds (T.F.H. Wild Bird Series)

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Although this gem of a book certainly covers attracting and feeding hummingbirds, including extensive advice on selecting flowers appropriate for each region of the continent, its modest size and simple title don't hint at the true gift within: an ecologist's insight into the natural history of one of our most highly-specialized and most fascinating bird families. The first 14 pages of text and photos are a concise, well-balanced examination of how hummingbirds fit into their environment, written for neither children nor scientists, but for the inquisitive layman. You won't find this content in any other book I've seen.

The second part is about plants, and again compresses a wealth of useful information into a succinct but rich overview of what flowers hummingbirds like, and why. More than a plant list, this section will help you understand how to plan a garden that works.

There are also sections on feeders, habitat, and species identification. Each is invested with an equally-impressive amount of insight, although as the author advises you'll want a good field guide for serious ID questions (and Sheri is writing one now). Finally, there's a nice listing of organizations and both printed and online resources for further study.

I have a collection of hummingbird books, assembled to help me build and maintain hummingbirds.net. This one is one of the three I wouldn't be without.

This small but information-packed guide is the best I've found for detailed, practical advice about viewing and caring for these little flying jewels. The photographs are breathtaking and the text is well-written and filled with wonderful advice and tips about feeders, habitat, gardens, identification and further resources.

Terrific.

I highly recommend this book. Lots of great information on the lives of hummingbirds, pros & cons of various feeders, types of plants to attract hummers, plus very beautiful photos. Also, gives info for different regions of the U.S.

We stood there spellbound as the hummer hovered above the window box, feeding on nectar only a few inches from our living room window. My sister and brother-in-law just happened to be visiting and were entranced by our tiny visitor.

"Attracting and Feeding Hummingbirds", like the hummingbirds themselves, is a a small dynamo of a book packed with useful information for those just beginning their hummingbird journey or those who've begun the journey previously.
Yes, the book was published over ten years ago, but not much has changed in the hummingbird world. Their feeding, nesting, mating, and migrating habits are pretty much the same now as they were in the year 2000. The advent of Twitter and Facebook doesn't seem to have affected the hummingbirds.

We have a small collection of five or six hummingbird books, and this one is as good as any. The information within is sensible and presented in a logical and attractive format. Designed with a nice balance of text and photographs, neither overwhelms the other.

Williamson presents to the hummingbird enthusiast the basics about feeding, feeders, flowers, and habitat. I had already learned most of what's contained in her book, but it doesn't hurt to refresh and recharge one's store of hummer facts occasionally. For example, I'm reminded by Williamson that using red dye in our homemade hummingbird nectar is unnecessary and perhaps even counterproductive.

Though in Maryland we just see the ruby-throated hummingbird at our feeders, it's enjoyable to see photographs of other varieties of these wondrous birds. The male is quite the cad, however. Unlike some other birds who mate for life, the male hummingbird stays around long enough to mate, and then he's off looking for other conquests.

Short, readable and worthwhile book. I refer often to the list of plants (annuals and perennials) that attract hummingbirds.