Bill Oddie's Little Black Bird Book (Paperback)

~ Bill Oddie (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Oddie's 1980 title is an unconventional bird-watching manual in that it mixes humor with the ins and outs of ornithology. Birders will love it.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

In this whimsical and sometimes downright hilarious book, originally published in Britain in 1980, Oddie covers such birding-related topics as keeping lists, what to call yourself ("ornithologist" is too serious, "bird spotter" too frivolous), equipment and clothing (ratting caps and flying helmets considered acceptably eccentric), and bird identification (nobody questioning a sighting as long as the species is not rare). But Oddie, author of Follow That Bird!, also has a serious side; he writes about birding trips he has taken in such places as England, Ireland, Scotland, the U.S., Australia, and Thailand, all the while offering sound advice on the art of bird-watching. Forty-seven black-and-white illustrations add to the book's charm. George Cohen

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Product Details

• Paperback: 158 pages
• Publisher: Anova Books (May 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0860519597
• ISBN-13: 978-0860519591
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,642,045 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Giggles, guffaws, and a jolly good time, April 11, 2008

By	Reader (U. S. A.) - See all my reviews

This book ranges from mildly amusing to hugely amusing, while managing to be very informative at the same time. It is strewn with pictures and cartoons drawn by the author, has a very 'matey' or intimate-friend atmosphere, and is rooted in a deep personal knowledge of the subject. North Americans may miss some of the English pop-culture references, especially since this book first came out in 1980, but they will not miss much: the bulk of the book is accessible to anyone with an interest in birds and the sometimes crazy behavior that surrounds them (human behavior, that is).

It occurred to me while reading this that it ought to be one of a series: Oddie's treatment of birders could be applied just as well to fly-fishermen (or any fishers), tennis players, skiers, runners, cyclists, and so on. It could be called the Is This YOU? series. Reading Oddie's book, many people will nod their heads and grin (perhaps sheepishly). Or they may say: that's not me, and thank god!

If you have a dull journey ahead of you, or your spouse is travelling and the house is lonely, or you just want to crease up with laughter while learning a thing or two, I recommend this book.