Guide to Backyard Birds [Paperback]

Julie R. Mancini (Author), Pamela L. Higdon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2004

This entertaining and informative book is a primer for bird watchers—both those who trek the countryside armed with binoculars and camera, as well as those less nimble nature lovers who merely keep a bird feeder near their kitchen window. Supplemented with color photos and illustrations, this book gives pointers on how to identify birds by plumage and shape, how to select appropriate binoculars and spotting scopes, the best times of day to watch for birds, and how to recognize and interpret birds' activities. There is also information on feeding birds, making a backyard attractive to birds, building bird houses and nest boxes, and much more. Supplementary information includes a list of rare-bird hotline phone numbers, web sites that offer information on wild birds, and a recommended reading list. Hundreds of color photos and illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Bird watching, already vastly popular, is one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities in the U.S. Higdon and Mancini, both avid birders, writers and former editors of birding magazines, aim for maximum coverage in this sweeping survey with an exhaustive array of topics including basic anatomy, birding vocabulary, prime locations, feeding, pests, bird behavior, habitat, nesting and much more. Their geographic range is equally far-reaching. "Regional information features" provide lists of local bird species and migrants for 13 Canadian provinces and nine U.S. regions (although New England migrants are unaccountably absent). Of necessity, this mile-wide approach sharply limits the depth of discussion, resulting in a true beginner's guide. The elementary nature of the simply written text is reinforced by a layout with large type, bright graphic devices and many color photographs and illustrations. All this would provide an ideal introduction to birding for young children if the reading level were consistent with the rudimentary level of information. Unfortunately, it isn't. Adults who use this book to pique children's interest in birds will have to spend considerable time reading, explaining and elaborating on the material. That makes it suitable as a teacher's (or parent's) guide, but not as a read-alone book that invites independent discovery.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From the Back Cover

[back cover]


Whether you trek the countryside with binoculars and camera or observe avian

activity from your kitchen window or patio, you’ll discover a wealth of information about birds and their traits in this entertaining book. You’ll also find advice on feeding birds, making your backyard attractive to birds, building bird houses and nest boxes, and much more. Colorful regional charts for both the United States and Canada will help you pinpoint information about birds in the area where you live A list of rare-bird hotline phone numbers, Web sites that offer information on wild birds, and a recommended reading list are among the many other features that make this book must-reading for every bird watcher.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764126873
• ISBN-13: 978-0764126871
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,398,865 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Advice from how to feed them & arrange a yard for attraction, March 6, 2005

By 

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

This review is from: Guide to Backyard Birds (Paperback)

Beginning birders intrigued by birds and their traits will welcome the introductory Guide To Backyard Birds, which packs in advice from how to feed them and arrange a yard for maximum attraction to employing regional charts to discern popular birders in the area, or locate Web sites that offer more details on wild birds. Bright color photos accompany tips on everything from how to behave when observing birds to what kinds of seed to buy.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not the best choice for my purpose, August 30, 2007

By 

Mildred F. Leavell "dissatisfied customer" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Guide to Backyard Birds (Paperback)

Because I could not "thumb through" the book prior to purchasing it, it did not serve as a good birthday gift for my 93 year old mother with very poor eyesight. Pictures are better than words for her I did not feel that she was happy with our gift.