Complete Book of Hummingbirds (Paperback)

~ Tony Tilford (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Hummingbird plumage comes in all colors—emerald, ruby, sapphire, azure, garnet, and topaz—no wonder they’re often called “jewels in flight.” Discover these remarkable little birds in The Complete Book of Hummingbirds by avian expert Tony Tilford. This ultimate reference guide to hummingbirds features a comprehensive overview of the birds’ biology, evolution, behavior, breeding, and migration patterns. You’ll be awestruck by the amazing collection of full-color photographs depicting hummingbirds in flight and at rest in the Gallery of Hummingbirds. Discover the kinds of plants and flowers hummingbirds love to visit and how to create artificial feeding stations by making your own hummingbird food. From Woodnymphs and Mountain-Gems to Plovercrests and Hillstars, this thorough book describes all of the hummingbirds of the world and also includes a helpful reference section, complete with a glossary, recommended websites, and further reading.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Thunder Bay Press (March 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592239676
• ISBN-13: 978-1592239672
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #132,851 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The bulk of the text consists of one-page summaries of individual species, each accompanied by a crystal-clear photograph, March 17, 2009

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Illustrated with stunningly beautiful photography throughout, The Complete Book of Hummingbirds is a detailed guide to well-known species of hummingbirds found throughout the Americas, from Tierra del Fuego to Alaska. An introductory section teaches readers about the life cycle of these tiny yet brilliantly plumaged birds, which are heavily dependent on sugary nectar for their survival; of especial interest are the careful instructions for feeding hummingbirds in one's backyard (for example, the sugary feed mixture needs to be changed near-daily to prevent spoilage). The bulk of the text consists of one-page summaries of individual species, each accompanied by a crystal-clear photographic image. One doesn't have to be an avid birdwatcher to enjoy The Complete Book of Hummingbirds, which is highly recommended to individual readers and public library collections alike.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guide and photographic appreciation, May 29, 2009

By	Lynn Harnett (Marathon, FL USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (VINE VOICE)

This large-format comprehensive guide to these jewel-like birds found only in the Americas includes gorgeous close-up photographs of birds in flight, feeding, nesting and fighting. Many of the entries are two-page spreads, often featuring more than one photo.

Entries are sub-headed with the Latin name and size of the bird. The text includes distribution, foods, and migration and breeding information, where available.

The entries are preceded by a 49-page lavishly illustrated introduction on the bird's lifecycle, which delves into evolution and backyard feeding (including plants and feeders), and the status and delicacy of scientific research.

Anyone who enjoys marveling at these colorful, antisocial, amazing birds will enjoy this beautifully designed and informative book.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The joy of hummingbird watching, September 18, 2009

By	S. Hennessey "S. Hennessey" (florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

COMPLETE BOOK OF HUMMINGSBIRDS

We live in CTR. BARNSTEAD, N.H. & enjoy the return of a rubythroated hummingbird every summer. We plant lots of flowers they love & have 2 feeders.
It zoomes pass my ear every ear as if to say hello.
We have relatives in Maple, Wi. who have many hummingbirds so we sent them a book for them to enjoy too. Never knew were so many types.