Bird Brainteasers: Puzzles, Games & Avian Trivia [Paperback]

Patrick Merrell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 24, 2008

Why does the Blue Grouse migrate north in the winter? Why did Lewis Carroll use a dodo bird to represent himself in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland? What are the bird names that appear most often as crossword clues?

Birdwatchers and puzzle fans alike will delight in Bird Brainteasers, a fresh collection of puzzles, games, and avian amusements by noted puzzle creator Patrick Merrell. This book is packed with bird-themed crosswords, visual puzzles, and the first-ever Birdoku challenges. Interspersed throughout are fascinating and amusing bird facts, trivia, and lore, drawn from everything from music and literature to popular culture.

Packaged is a small format and highly illustrated with a unique combination of historical and cultural images, Bird Brainteasers is the perfect gift for any bird lover. Put down the binoculars and pick up a pencil!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Patrick Merrell is a cartoonist, puzzle maker, and author whose work has appeared in hundreds of publications. He is a regular contributor to the New York Times crossword, the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, and the World Puzzle Championship. His other books include Bird Brainteasers and Coffee Time. He lives in Mt. Vernon, New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 324 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC (September 24, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1603420800
• ISBN-13: 978-1603420808
• Product Dimensions: 4 x 0.7 x 6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #529,052 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars More for bird fans than puzzle fans. November 25, 2008

By Amanda Hamm VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

This book claims to be great for "birdwatchers and puzzle fans alike," but with over 300 pages there are only 40 puzzles so it is definitely more for the former. Most of the puzzles are very easy and will take no more than a few minutes to complete. (I worked 10 random puzzles in less than an hour.) There is quite a variety of filler in the rest of the book, including cartoons, quotes and trivia.

There is a tradeoff in making the book small (good for portability), in that it's thick enough that it doesn't lie flat at all and can be awkward to hold open and work the puzzles at the same time. As a puzzle fan, I would only give the book three stars, but for bird lovers, it's worth four.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars For bird brains ;) November 20, 2008

By slim

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

If you don't know what to get someone who is over the age of 18, and loves birds, then this book is worth a try. It contains basic facts, trivia, a few silly jokes, and some puzzles. They seem to play up the "bird sudoku" part, but there are only three pages in the book with "bird sudoku," and all you are doing is filling in letters of a phrase instead of numbers.

It would have been nice if more than 2 or 3 colors were used in the book to give it more visual appeal, which is the only reason I might refrain from giving it to a younger person.

For someone who is a bird expert, or even an avid "birder," this book will not teach them anything new, of course, but it would be a perfect "bathroom" book. If you don't like the jokes, you can always use it as toilet tissue.

5.0 out of 5 stars My Husband loves it! April 15, 2013

By Angela M.

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is not for just backyard watchers but for true birders like my husband. If you have a wealth a bird knowledge it is a fun and challenging book and we enjoy working on it together. Very fun and worth the money.