Customer Reviews

The Complete Backyard Birdwatcher 's Home Companion

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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.

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.

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.