The Backyard Birdsong Guide: Eastern and Central North America (Backyard Birdsong Guides) (Hardcover)

by Donald Kroodsma (Author) "HERE'S A LITTLE BACKGROUND: THE FIRST BIRDS EMERGED from the reptile lineage about a hundred fifty million years ago, and although many of those ancient..." (more)
Key Phrases: daytime song, successive songs, tonal notes, North America, Summer Year-round, Yellow Warbler (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Building on the tremendous success of Bird Songs (250,000 copies sold), The Backyard Birdsong Guides are regional, interactive handbooks of birds and their songs for beginning bird-watchers. With a touch-button electronic module housing common vocalizations of 75 species from across Eastern and Central North America, this volume offers a truly sensory way to identify and get to know local birds. Crisply detailed and scientifically accurate illustrations accompany each entry, and up-to-date range maps from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology provide clear geographical reference points. Complete with an introduction to birdsong that will inspire readers to look out their kitchen windows and venture out in the field, this unique book provides an exciting entryway into the subtle art of birding.

About the Author
Donald Kroodsma is currently a visiting fellow at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. He has studied birdsong for more than 40 years and lives in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (April 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811863425
• ISBN-13: 978-0811863421
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 7.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,059 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #3 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Birdwatching
  #3 in	Books > Science > Biological Sciences > Zoology > Ornithology
  #4 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Fauna

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!, April 29, 2008

By	avid birder - See all my reviews

Wow!! What a terrific book . . . the text, the sounds, the selection of species, the layout . . . everything works perfectly together. I opened my pre-release copy, intending to spend just a few minutes and return to it later. Two hours went by, and I was still reading and listening; I couldn't stop turning the pages.

Of course, I went right to my favorite birds, reading the text and pushing the buttons to listen, as I expect that most people will do. But then I settled in and went to other species, and then I read the introductory pages. The information there will bring you to a whole new level of enjoying these remarkable creatures.

I have struggled for years to identify birds through their song, aided by mostly meaningless mnemonics as these are presented in most guides. For the first time, Kroodsma's full description of each species' song gives readers enough detail and context to help them understand what they are listening to. These birds come to life in the text and then the icing is the lovely songs themselves. Push the loon button and you are immediately transported to remote northern lakes. Push the phoebe button and hear how he sings his two different songs. Hear how animated a pewee is at dawn compared to later in the day. Try the wrens, thrushes, warblers, sparrows. They're all there and more, in the text and at the push of a button!

This is a truly special book. I'd give it ten stars if I could. Now I have the perfect gift to give to my friends to show them why I've always been so thrilled to hear a singing bird.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BUY THIS BOOK! It is fascinating, May 5, 2008

By	Shellie A. Leete - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I just got Backyard Birdsong Guide by Donald Kroodsma in the mail today and am right here again buying TWO more for gifts.

My cat sits nearby as she is going ballistic over these bird songs. I have FOREVER wondered which birds are our 5am 'sing before the dawn' artists, now I know!

I highly recommend this book. It shall be available for all our guests here at The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast to enjoy.

We have large maples out front, a 3 level pond out back, Magnolias, Pecan trees and a park across the street. For this - we have birds, lots and lots of birds singing their little hearts out day and into the night!

This is the perfect gift! PERFECTO!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Ever, June 13, 2008

By	Lisa D. Schoenwetter "Tea Slave" (MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this guide and the much larger "Bird Songs". I prefer this one by far. There are more song comparisons and much more in depth descriptions. It's also a manageable size. I love it.