Common Birds and Their Songs (Book and Audio CD) [Paperback]

Lang Elliott (Author), Marie Read (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 1998

This book-audio package provides a unique introduction to fifty of the most familiar birds of North America and the songs they sing. Each bird is described in vivid detail - its natural history, habitat, voice, range, and field marks - and illustrated in stunning color photographs. Range maps show where each species is found in different seasons. The audio CD features original high-quality field recordings of each bird's songs and calls, which are track-coded for easy access. Common Birds and Their Songs will be valuable to anyone interested in birds, from beginner to expert. It's the perfect gift for any birder - or anyone with a bird feeder.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

LANG ELLIOTT is a sound recordist, writer, and photographer. He is the author of The Songs of Insects, The Songs of Wild Birds, and many other book/CD packages.

MARIE READ is an acclaimed wildlife photographer and nature writer whose photographs are regularly featured in magazines, books, and calendars. A birdwatcher since childhood, she has traveled throughout the world to photograph birds.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (October 6, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395912385
• ISBN-13: 978-0395912386
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 6.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #242,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful for old and young., December 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Common Birds and Their Songs (Book and Audio CD) (Paperback)

I'm a grandmother, just learning the names of the birds whose sounds I have enjoyed for years. Now my youngest grandchild, Emma, age 4 months, is learning the sounds and pictures. She sings right along with them. This book is truly amazing. CD tracks can be selected "by bird" or can be listened to in order. And the geographic area map lets us know if any particular bird is one we might see in our vicinity. Five Stars.

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, informative, euphonious, December 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Common Birds and Their Songs (Book and Audio CD) (Paperback)

This is a great book! Elliott and Read combine stunning photographs of fifty songbirds with lively information about their lives. And that's not all. They ice the cake with an audio CD that will fill your house with song. The recordings give a range of vocalizations for each species, so the listener can sit back and gain his own sense of how the birds sound in the field. There's never been another book quite like this one, and I recommend it most enthusiastically to bird lovers and their friends.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great beginners bird guide, April 14, 2002

By 

Ramona (Jaffrey, NH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Common Birds and Their Songs (Book and Audio CD) (Paperback)

Though I was surprised to receive such a small sized book, the picures are beautiful and the lessons very helpful. I am new to birding and have no doubt I can improve my bird identification with the help of this CD and guidebook. I do wish the veery and phoebe were included. Great book for anyone wishing to learn which bird goes with which song. So much fun! Would highly recommend. I'm thrilled.