Bird Life (Golden Guide) [Paperback]

St. Martin's Press (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 1991 | Series: Golden Guide

Describes the social behavior, navigation, and migration of birds, as well as conservation efforts to protect them.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Golden Guides first appeared in 1949 and quickly established themselves as authorities on subjects from Natural History to Science. Relaunched in 2000, Golden Guides from St. Martin's Press feature modern, new covers as part of a multi-year, million-dollar program to revise, update, and expand the complete line of guides for a new generation of students.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Golden Guides from St. Martin's Press (July 15, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307240797
• ISBN-13: 978-0307240798
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An instructive guide, December 15, 2004

By 

sauerkraut - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bird Life (Golden Guide) (Paperback)

Published in 2001, Bird Life contains 160 pages. Stephen W. Kress, Ph.D., is the author. The numerous color illustrations are by John D. Dawson. In addition to the topics covered, there is an index. This guide is a primer on bird biology and behavior. It is intended for those that are not just interested in the identification of birds. It is not only educational but concise. I am impressed with the quality of the illustrations--the artist is talented. Examples of topics discussed are habituation, preening, bathing, anting, sleeping, feeding behaviors, peck orders, mobbing, territories, mate recognition, nest helpers, vocalizations, hearing, flight, navigation and migration, longevity, and attracting birds. This guide is informative and recommendable.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wealth of Information in a Small Package!, March 4, 2003

By 

mirasreviews (McLean, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Bird Life (Golden Guide) (Paperback)

Bird Life was the first book about birds that I bought when I began seriously observing the birds in my neighborhood. I have more sophisticated guides to birds now, but I still refer to Bird Life for interesting bits of information that I just wouldn't find in any field guide. At only 4x6 inches in size and 160 pages, Bird Life looks like it was made to put in a pocket and take into the field. But it isn't really a field guide. It is simply the largest collection of information on the most different aspects of bird behavior in the smallest space. A list of the topics the book addresses will show you what I mean by that: bird behavior, preening, how birds sleep, feeding, food storage, social displays, family life, songs and calls, hearing, flight, navigation, longevity, conservation, attracting birds, feeding birds, and making bird feeders from common household items. None of these topics is covered in an exhaustive manner. Bird Life provides an introduction to each of these subjects. It doesn't help much in identifying birds, but helps you to understand their daily lives. The information is general but includes examples of species that engage in specific behaviors. And there are illustrations of bird behaviors and anatomy. As an introduction to birds, this book is tops!

Highly recommended for anyone who has ever encountered a bird! Really. It is easy to read and full of fascinating facts. You don't have to be a "bird person" to enjoy this book. You only risk discovering that your avian neighbors might be more interesting than you realized. Casual birders will find some intriguing info that they may not have read before. Makes a fun and inexpensive stocking stuffer too!

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Covers all of the aspects of the lives of birds, May 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bird Life (Golden Guide) (Paperback)

Although small in size, this book covers all the aspects of the lives of birds. Everything from nesting to migration. There's more to birding than just identification, and this book is a good start for that step beyond. Also has good illustrations. Recommended.