Customer Reviews

Stokes Beginner's Guide to Hummingbirds

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is worth getting for the pictures alone, stunning in detail and glorious of color. Most of the book gives information about the various types of hummingbirds, almost none of which we'll ever see here in the East other than the ruby throated. For those of you on the other coast, it may be useful for identification of backyard sightings.

I got an Oasis feeder (Perky Pet 221 Hummingbird Oasis Feeder, 16 oz capacity) (which I strongly endorse) for our balcony and we've had a steady stream of little guys coming by for a few months now. It didn't take long after the the traffic started that we were noticing many different types of hummingbirds, so it seemed only right to try and figure out who these freeloaders were.

I ordered this for my wife not really thinking it would be anything more than a nice gesture, but she's jumped on it like I never expected. She leaves it next to the patio door so that when we spot a bird at the feeder, she can go close, grab the book and make an ID. Actually, more often (since I have better eyes), she's often rattling off attributes for me to spot. Working together, we're usually able to track down the species within about thirty seconds, which must be some kind of testament to the book's ease of use when identifying by characteristic. Even better, once we think we've narrowed it down, there are plenty of vivid pictures of male, female, and juvenile examples of each species.

Little extras like the maps of each species' distribution are nice so we don't do something silly like assume we're seeing a bird that belongs in Maine hanging out at our feeder in California. And though not extensive, the book does pack a bunch of tidbits into each section, such as which species might dominate others when claiming turf at a feeder or suggesting flowers that will lure more birds into your yard.

I actually started this review giving it four stars, then realized just how much is packed into this little reference at a good price, if that's any indication of how helpful it is.

The most comprehensive book about the USA hummingbirds. Awesome photography, incredibly accurate descriptions of all the hummingbirds residents of the continental USA. The ONLY book you need to buy if you want to enjoy and identify our hummingbirds.

WE have been overrun (overflown?) with hummingbirds this season. I wanted to make sure that I was feeding them properly as well as know what types/species we had in our yard. The first few pages had good, simple instructions on care and feeding instructions. The full color pictures allowed my 6 year old son to identify the hummingbirds in our yard. Very pleased with this book.

I saw this book at a friends, and then bought it for myself.
It has lots of clear pictures of each type of hummingbird,
including lots of females - and is good at pointing out
how to differentiate the different kinds of hummingbirds.

Was so glad I had this book on hand to try to identify the hummingbird at my feeder in late November. We usually just have Ruby-throated hummingbirds, with an occasional Rufous hummingbird in central Illinois. This book has such detailed pictures of the hummingbirds listed--at every stage of development. I had an "odd" marked hummingbird that I suspected was a "migrant" for our area. I snapped a picture and sent it off via email to the state orinthologist that bands hummingbirds every year at my home.He responded immediately that he sent the picture to several other hummingbird experts and several of them seemed to think that, maybe, I had an Anna's hummingbird at my feeder. I got out this book, and told him that, yes, it was the marked like the immature Anna's male listed. He came the next morning, caught and banded the hummingbird. I am proud to say, I was feeding the first ever documented Anna's hummingbird in the state of Illinois! I ended up with quite a following of birders to my yard to witness this special visitor. So, in closing, I would say that if you have a love for hummingbirds, no matter where you live in the United States, get this book! You too could have a "migrant" bird that has lost his way, and for those lucky enough to have a variety of the these little jewels, this book is invaluable in identifying who is visiting your yard!