The Complete Backyard Birdwatcher 's Home Companion [Paperback]

Donald S. Heintzelman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 2000

Birdwatching is a pastime shared by millions of people. Now you can enjoy your favorite hobby close to home by making your backyard a destination for birds. Donald S. Heintzelman, a preeminent ornithologist and nature photographer, tells you all you need to know about bird identification, bird feeders, houses, and baths, protective trees and shrubs, and how to garden to make your backyard attractive to many different species of birds.

More and more gardeners are emphasizing the use of native plants to enhance backyard environments, which is crucial to protecting and restoring bird habitats. Success stories from birders across the country who have created outstanding backyards are included, along with garden and landscape plans and plant lists for various regions of the country. You'll also find sources for Internet websites and links, and contact information for retailers and manufacturers of birdwatching equipment, and birdwatching organizations and government agencies.

Comprehensive and inviting, The Complete Backyard Birdwatcher's Home Companion is the perfect resource to help you gain a greater appreciation of the wonders of nature right in your own backyard.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Birdwatching is a pastime shared by millions of people. Now you can enjoy your favorite hobby close to home by making your backyard a destination for birds. Donald S. Heintzelman, a preeminent ornithologist and nature photographer, tells you all you need to know about bird identification, bird feeders, houses, and baths, protective trees and shrubs, and how to garden to make your backyard attractive to many different species of birds.

More and more gardeners are emphasizing the use of native plants to enhance backyard environments, which is crucial to protecting and restoring bird habitats. Success stories from birders across the country who have created outstanding backyards are included, along with garden and landscape plans and plant lists for various regions of the country. You'll also find sources for Internet websites and links, and contact information for retailers and manufacturers of birdwatching equipment, and birdwatching organizations and government agencies.

Comprehensive and inviting, The Complete Backyard Birdwatcher's Home Companion is the perfect resource to help you gain a greater appreciation of the wonders of nature right in your own backyard.

Create a Haven for Birds In Your Own Backyard

From bird identification, to equipment, to choosing native plants and seeds, The Complete Backyard Birdwatcher's Home Companion is the most comprehensive guide to designing a backyard oasis that birds will love. Let Donald Heintzelman, with more than 40 years of birding experience, show you how to plan, organize, and shape your backyard to provide a perfect environment for attracting birds. Everything you need is here, from selecting appropriate food, shelter, and water to formulating a landscape plan for your backyard--including full-color sample plans--and resource information on equipment, birding organizations, Internet sites, and state habitat-enhancement programs.

Praise for Donald Heintzelman's books:

"Most impressive."--Roger Tory Peterson, renowned artist and naturalist

"A great gift for you or any nature lover."--Roger Caras, ASPCA President Emeritus, author, and national television correspondent

"Splendid. . . . Fine writing, and comprehensive."--Maurice Broun, author of Hawks Aloft

"A gem. . . . No other book covers so thoroughly the many facets of contemporary bird watching."--Goshawk, Genesee Ornithological Society

"A remarkable and valuable effort."--California Fish and Game

About the Author

Donald S. Heintzelman has written over 250 articles and 14 books on birdwatching, and has traveled the world studying and photographing wildlife. He was an elected member of the American Ornithologists' Union, a curator of ornithology at the New Jersey State Museum, Associate Curator at the William Penn Memorial Museum, and Executive Director and President of the Wildlife Information Center. He now writes books and newspaper nature columns full-time.

Product Details

• Paperback: 309 pages
• Publisher: International Marine Publishing; 1 edition (October 6, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071345205
• ISBN-13: 978-0071345200
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,141,932 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A complete and useful reference, November 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Backyard Birdwatcher 's Home Companion (Paperback)

This book is exactly what its cover promises: a "single-source reference for all your needs." I've seen many recent publications that discuss some, but not nearly all, of the backyard birdwatching topics that Mr. Heintzelman presents in up-to-date detail. He not only informs but also inspires the reader to use the suggestions he offers for landscaping, nest boxes, feeders, water and shelter, and controlling pests and predators. Two other especially good chapters include tips on identifying birds and an easy-to-grasp introduction to birds' natural history. An especially valuable feature concludes the book. Usually an appendix isn't much more than an afterthought, but that's not the case here. Six important appendices list information for contacting bird-oriented internet sites, organizations, government programs, and companies that sell equipment, plus suggestions for further reading. I've had the book for only a week, and I'm already using those lists. Overall, this is a very attractive and useful resource for the backyard birdwatcher.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Complete Backyard Birdwatcher's Home Companion, December 21, 2000

By 

J. Leahy (New Tripoli, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Backyard Birdwatcher 's Home Companion (Paperback)

We have a shelf of bird books but none, so far, as complete and helpful as this one. The author is well known and highly respected in his field. The book is beautifully printed and organized, meticulously researched with valuable help and information for every level of bird enthusiast from beginner to expert. The Internet links are up-to-date and make available valuable additional information. I recommend this book without reservation to everyone who is interested in birds, wants to learn more about them, set up or enhance a habitat, photograph or simply enjoy these wonderful and fascinating creatures. This book also makes an excellent gift.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Indeed Complete Birdwatcher's Guide, November 1, 2000

By 

Christina van Gelder (PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Backyard Birdwatcher 's Home Companion (Paperback)

Donald S. Heintzelman's new book "The Complete Backyard Birdwatcher's Home Companion" is an informative guide for anyone, especially beginners and intermediate level birdwatchers, interested in learning about the birds that we see around us on our journey through life. The book is amazing, because it is indeed complete. It covers not only a concise history about birds and how they evolved with their different features. It also deals with all the "how to's" of birdwatching and identification and shows how we can responsibly attract birds to our own backyards. The book gives innumerable tips on feeding, housing and birdwatching equipment and generously shares resources. Truly this book is a treasure for the beginning and intermediate level backyard birder.