Birds (National Audubon Society First Field Guides) [Paperback]

Scott Weindensaul (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Series: Audubon Guides

An informative, visual guide to the natural science of birds as well as a field guide to over 150 species found in North America.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This book is part of a series of guides designed for adolescents interested in natural history and nature. The books are an excellent introduction to the Rocks and Minerals, Birds, Wildflowers, and Insects for children aged 8-18. Each guide is appropriately sized to fit in a field vest pocket. Readers who remember previous versions of these field guides from the 1970s that were dull and overly detailed will be pleasantly surprised. These books are arguably the most beautifully photographed and laid out field guides yet published for young people. Each book has an introductory section filled with interesting facts, descriptions of early naturalists, definitions of many of the terms used in the book, and a guide to using the field guide portion of the book. Best of all, the books also come equipped with laminated field "cheat sheet" cards, for quick identification while on the go, in any kind of weather. Each field guide features 50 common species with photos and brief descriptions of many more regionally occurring birds. Brief discussions of threatened and endangered species are particularly valuable. Great first guides for children and adults with limited natural history background.

The guide has excellent photographs and descriptions of common birds, and a few that are not so common. The photos have enough detail to distinguish tail patterns, eye patches and other features. Many national field guides are often East coast-centric, but this bird book would be very useful in all regions of the United States. An excellent beginning birder guidebook, for children and adults. --Merri Martz

From School Library Journal

Grade 4 Up-Two welcome additions to nature study that are not strictly field guides per se. Beginning with descriptions of ornithology and entomology, the authors invite young people to become aware of and familiar with the natural world. With sharp, clear full-color photos (some spectacular, some disappointingly small), birds and insects are described, classified, and placed in their habitats. Birds covers identification marks; eating, mating, and nesting habits; migration; and endangered status. Insects provides similar information plus cautions against those insects that bite or sting. The photos greatly magnify the size of each species. Both volumes do include useful sections of photos for quick identification while on hikes, etc. A glossary of technical terms, lists for further reading, organizations, videos, software, and Web sites are appended. These inviting and easy-to-use titles will deservedly be popular.
Kathleen McCabe, East Meadow Public Library, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Reference (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590054821
• ISBN-13: 978-0590054829
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #732,647 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent guide despite areas for improvement., July 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Birds (National Audubon Society First Field Guides) (Hardcover)

This is, as the professional reviews profess, indeed a much more appropriate book for younger readers than the more encyclopedic, primarily textual guides on the market. The majority of hte book is devoted to a field guide of 50 different common North American birds organized by general shape and habitat (wading birds, ground birds, hawks & eagles, etc.). Each bird is shown in a large color photograph with two or three other similar species given smaller thumbnail photos and descriptions (adding another 125 birds). Although the guide does a good job of providing useful annotations by way or a map showing range and habitat by season, an identification capsul providing details useful in identifying the bird, and a bit about its behavior and diet, it misses two obvious points of interest, particularly to younger readers: a picture of a nest with eggs and a photo or graphic of a feather. Explorers coming across a nest or feathers and wondering what bird made it will find the guide of minimal assistance. Generally, a book well worth it. Hopefully, the next edition will be even better.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars National Audubon Society First Field Guide Birds, September 27, 2009

By 

Chris - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Birds (National Audubon Society First Field Guides) (Paperback)

I bought this for my preschool grandchildren that I care for part time. I had picked up the shell book at a garage sale & they loved it. So I went online to try & find others. This book is something that I can enjoy with them together.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!, October 12, 2007

By 

texas bird lover - See all my reviews

This review is from: Birds (National Audubon Society First Field Guides) (Paperback)

I love this little book. It is so simple compared to the more extensive versions we have (where you can't find what you're looking for because of the sheer number of birds in the book). Some of the pics in this book are even better than our other bird field guides that cost way more money. It is simple yet provides several alternate photos to give enough info on similar species. I am very pleased with it and look forward to using with the kids for many years to come. Great price, too!