Customer Reviews

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
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If you're interested in ruby-throated hummingbirds, this book is definitely a must for your collection. Loads of information that is easy to understand and absorb. The photos are superb! To me, it's my "ruby-throated bible". Answers multitude of questions one may have regarding migration, feeding, courtship, etc. What a nice addition to my library! You'll enjoy it too!

The ruby-throated hummingbird and I have quite the adversarial relationship. My stories of hummingbird encounters are becoming almost mythic in proportion, as I wage my battle to capture *the* perfect hummer photo. I have learned that unlike their Hollywood image as little gems from heaven, they are really rather nasty at times, especially to those of us wanting to photograph them! Mr. Sargent knows this, as is evident in his well-written text describing the behaviors of this bird. He uses words such as "mean spirited," "hot tempered" and "little bullies." I have seen all of these descriptions in action. This is part of what makes this book so enjoyable, because along with providing a wealth of detailed information about all aspects of the bird's life cycle, he does it with an endearing and humorous slant, showing at once his admiration for and understanding of the hummingbird's nature.

The photos that accompany the text are the ones I wish I could take, showing the ruby-throat in fighting trim as well as bedraggled from migration. I can only guess how many frames were taken to get the many included in this comprehensive book. In my dogged attempts to get even ONE photo this good, I've read every book I could find on hummingbirds, particularly the ruby-throats. This is by far the best one I have found. Not only does it inform, it always entertains, a rare combination in a birding guide.

I just met Bob at the Audobon Hummingbird Festival near Memphis. He bands over 800 birds a year, and is such a giving caring man. Proceeds from this book help the Hummingbird cause. Fabulous pictures and full of information.

I've now collected a number of these little Wild Bird Guides. All of them are very good, this one the best I've read so far. As a "back-yard" birder, I see the same set of characters returning to my feeders, and it doesn't take too long before you want to get to know more about your new little friends. These guides provide more information than I've been able to ecrape together from various internet sources, and the photos are excellent.

The ruby-throated hummer is an absolutely amazing animal, and in this book you learn things like how these tiny creatures bulk up to 0.2 oz in order to accomplish the 600-mile flight over the Gulf of Mexico. There are countless other interesting facts about hummers in here - there's nothing very sweet about them, for example, no matter how sweetly they hover to feed.

Just the title for rounding out your knowledge of these fascinating creatures -

This is the best of 4-5 hummingbird books I've seen, and includes details not found in other books. 78 pages of text and photos, and I wish it was longer.

Good book to develop an understanding of the Ruby Throated Hummingbird, from migration, breeding, territorial behavior, and life history.

My biggest problem with this book is that it is about a thousand pages too short. Great reference book for those that are new to the Ruby. Read it cover to cover and wanted more. Photos are as good as the book.