Customer Reviews

The Backyard Bird Feeder's Bible: The A-to-Z Guide To Feeders, Seed Mixes, Projects, And Treats (Rodale Organic Gardening Book)

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a fantastic book for the novice bird enthusiasts to the expert! Everything is included: flower types, small projects, pictures, everything! A must have!!! Birds will be flocking to your back yard after reading this book! The neighbors will watch with amazement! I was amazed at the number of tips and easy to-do projects that were included. Makes a great gift!!!

Back in the glory days of The Tonight Show, Johnny would read from a list or a book and then Ed would say, "Everything you could ever want to know about....... is in that book." Of course Ed would always get shot down for there was still more to know and while I am sure there are things about bird feeding that are not in this book, I doubt there is much that can not be found here. Sally Roth has done an outstanding job of putting together what could indeed be considered the Bible of backyard bird feeders.

Everything is alphabetized so after you pick up the book to check on what kinds of birds eat earthworms (robins and other thrushes) you will also glance down and find that many birds like crushed eggshells for grit. Pretty soon you are reading about falcons and feeder maintenance. Basically, this is a hard book to put down and every time you pick it up you will learn something. Roth tells her readers what kinds of birds like what food, what kind of plants birds like, how to alter your feeding in different seasons and how to handle problems that you may encounter. There is a basic biography of each North American bird and the author tells us where each bird can be found and when.

For anyone who has decided to establish a bird feeding station, buy this book and read it before you buy the first feeder or grain of food. Doing so will be well worth your time and monetary investment for not only will Roth give you an excellent idea of what kinds of feeders and foods you need to get started, she also provides tips on how to feed the birds without breaking the bank. I have fed birds (and squirrels) for years and I have several books on the subject but this is hands down the best bird-feeding book in my library. In other words, a novice needs this book and an old pro can learn a lot within its pages. Sally Roth knows her stuff and luckily for all of us she writes in a clear, interesting, and easy to grasp style that makes learning what she knows a joy.

I am very glad I bought a copy of this book and I know my birds are too. Not only has my enjoyment of this hobby increased but also the birds are eating better than ever. I expect to see my finches building a little statue of Sally Roth any day now.

This is the best bird feeding book I have found. Great for new home owners, great for the family. This is the only book you need to begin or learn new tips on feeding. I was thrilled with the gardening tips, and the creative projects. From making feeders, making seed mixes on a budget, and using leftovers, Sally Roth covers all aspects of feeding and what you can attract to your yard. What sold me on this book, and the reason why I am buying five more for my friends, is how the author integrates gardening with birding. With gardening and bird watching being the number one and number two hobbies in America, it is easy to understand why this booked is loved and appreciated.

What makes this book a hit is that the author and editor seem to communicate before going to print. Many books fail because of a lack of that communication.
I almost think of The Backyard Bird Feeder's Bible: The A-To-Z Guide to Feeders, Seed Mixes, Projects, and Treats as being set up in the style of an encyclopedia. Don't let that statement put you off though. You can tell Sally Roth knows her subject, but beyond that, she wrote the book with a passion.
Anyone who is a "birder" would recognize Roth as a bird enthusiast (birder) first and who, as an added bonus for her audience (us, her readers), is an excellent writer.
The pictures of the birds are professional quality. The information is presented in an easy to follow format for each bird. There are numerous tips on how you can enjoy watching the birds in your backyard.
I enjoy this book everyday, reading a particular section and enjoying the birds even more because of the info given in this book.
A good purchase! Most enjoyable!
John Row

This book is great. It really is a bible for backyard bird enthusiasts. I turn to it everytime I have a question about bird feeding, housing, gardening, bird behavior, and others. It's also nice because it's current, with all the correct information, unlike old birding books from the 80's that say milo is a prized seed. It's a wonderful book for beginners in birdfeeding or the seasoned expert!

I barely got to look at the thing!

I made the mistake of allowing my young nephew to glance through it a few days ago. The next thing I know he takes it home with him and won't bring it back to me. (Well, he 'would' because he's that kind of guy... but I think I am going to allow him to keep it.)

Apparently this book had the remarkable effect of sparking in him a sudden interest in the hobby of attracting and feeding birds.

Actually, all summer long we have been visited at our little place in the country by birds of all sorts and we have been feeding them everyday so they wouldn't get bored and go away, but my nephew didn't have any interest in them... that is, not until I let him look at this book.

As I said, I did not really get to look at this book, but let's base my 5 star review on the enthusiasm it sparked in him. He says it is a great book because the information within is very interesting and very in-depth. He also loves the plentiful beautiful pictures which helps keep him attracted all the more to the subject matter.

I am very pleased that a child growing up in today's sterile electronics-obsessed society can still find something very natural and positive to invest his time and interest in. Aren't you?

This one is just filled with excellent ideas. After years of birding you would think there would be no new ideas...wrong! I picked up quite a lot from this book. It is well organized, easy to use and easy to read and understand. I am glad I received it as a gift and recommend you get a copy if this is where your interests are. Overall, recommend this one highly.

Hey bird lovers! Just wanted to say thanks for saying such nice things about this book. Wish I could have you all over for breakfast with the birds (say, around 10 a.m.? late sleeper zzz). On second thought, wish I could've had you all over a few weeks ago, when we had a freak ice storm and frigid temps, and the Anna's hummingbirds that were still around (torpor, I kept telling them; it's time for torpor.... would they listen? of course not) needed to have their feeders thawed and replaced EVERY 15 MINUTES!!! (Worse than a new baby) Anyway, hope your feeders are just overflowing with bluebirds, grosbeaks, varied thrushes, pine siskins, red-breasted nuthatches, and soon, soon, indigo buntings, rose-breasted grosbeaks, and let's not forget my favorite starlings (really, though I realize I'm the only person in the world that feels this way; it all started when I raised a batch of orphaned babies and they were just so homely, I fell in love) (but don't worry, this book'll tell you how to discourage 'em in case you'd rather send them all to my place). And for all of us stuck in the depths of winter for far too long this year, SPRING IS COMING! Go break off some forsythia branches and pussywillows and stick 'em in water in the house, they'll bloom fast. And don't forget to stock up on zinnia seeds at those 10-packs-for-$1 sales, the flowers are great for butterflies and hummingbirds (and bouquets) and goldfinches and native sparrows love the seeds---and they're about the easiest flowers in the world to grow. All right, I'll get a grip now (bad case of spring fever, sorry), just want to say Thanks again. And, hey, Dennis from TN, how's that statue coming along? (just kidding, just kidding) (But hello to TN. I'm not in southern IN anymore---WA state now---and I sure am gonna miss those spring wildflowers, man, what a well-kept secret---everybody hears about New England wildflowers but those ACRES of Virginia bluebells, wild sweet william, tricorner delphiniums, mayapple, trilliums, and a zillion others in TN, OH, IN, KY are just incredible. Not to mention the dogwoods and redbuds. And the sugar maples in fall. And the morels, mmm.) All right, have no idea if they'll let me post this or not, but here goes.... Thanks again, everybody.

This book is packed with useful information for the novice bird watcher that I am. I'd have never thought birds eat peanut butter, or bacon grease, but I'm amazed at the number of birds that enjoy those types of food. Sally Roth gives lots of information on different types of birds, feeders, and more. This is a great book and the layout makes it easy to find what you're looking for later.

I recieved this book as a gift and after a week of reading and re-reading sent a copy to my brother and sister-in-law, who also love feeding and watching birds. It was humbling to find out tons of things I didn't know about attracting birds (after all these years). This book has made me totally re-think my garden plan, and I am busy mapping out my spring beds with an eye towards attracting even more birds. What a wonderful book!