Reviews (3)

No good for a backyard birdwatcher
I bought this book just so that I could identify some of the birds at my backyard birdfeeder.So far, I've only been able to identify one from this book.The pictures and descriptions aren't very good, and it's very hard to narrow down the type of bird, since they're not organized by geographic area, etc.I would definitely recommend the National Audobon Society books over this one.

Great first book
My 7yo daughter and I have had great fun identifying the birds in our backyard with this little book.It features the most common birds one might see.I like how they how it organized by size and type of bird (allthe water birds are together, all the birds of prey, all the smallerFenches and Sparrows, etc.Easy to find that way.There was one birddrawing that was more colorful than the actual bird we saw.This might bedue to the fact that they don't picture every type of one kind of bird.Itis a GREAT first guide for kids and adults that are just starting.I likealso that it shows the male and female of a type.

Great Reference
If you're looking for a book that will show you the male and female of thespecies, this is it.It gives size and tells where the birds winter.Ithas a picture of each bird and if the male and female differ in appearance,it has a picture of both.Great little book.Very reasonably priced ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds    2. Birds & Birdwatching - General    3. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    4. Identification    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. North America    8. Birds & birdwatching    9. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching    10. Zoology & animal sciences   

Reviews (2)

A treat for bird lovers due to the top-quality artistry alone
Now in a fully revised eighth edition, Newman's Birds Of Southern Africa is a field guide to 125 species of Southern African birds illustrated throughout with realistic full-color artwork. Each species has an entry with a map indicating their distribution, their common and scientific name, a brief paragraph with a basic physical description and notes on distinguishing characteristics, and a gorgeous, realistic color illustration. A revised introduction teaches the reader step-by-step how to use the guide to quickly identify avian species, and a glossary, index and birdwatching checklist round out this first-class resource. A treat for bird lovers due to the top-quality artistry alone, as well as being a quintessential identification guide, Newman's Birds Of Southern Africa is enthusiastically recommended for amateur birdwatchers and professional biologists alike.
The most comprehensive birding guide available.
This book not only enables the amateur to identify birds from common to "lesser spotted" but shares interesting info too.More habitual birders will agree that this is truly the "birding bible".Noone can argue with Ken Newman. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bird Watching    2. Birds    3. Birds & Birdwatching - General    4. Handbooks & Manuals    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Birds & birdwatching    8. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching    9. Reference works    10. Republic of South Africa    11. Southern Africa   

Reviews (1)

Good book, not the best organization.
I found this book to be informative as a guide to what I would find in Europe, but it received a poor grade in the field due to the poor organization.I had to flip through three sections to find a picture,description, and range-map for each bird.The maps were really too smallfor a US native to be able to tell which country was which, and theillustrations were consistantly exagerated to the point that you could onlyidentify the so-called important features (which often were the same asimportant features of other birds) were all you could be certain wereaccurate to some extent.Even though I don't speak German, I actuallyfound a book in German which was more useful to me than Peterson's.TheGerman book, entitled GU Naturfuhrer "Vogel" (Birds), hadaccurate photos of every bird I saw on my trip.The maps in Vogel,although lacking lines seperating the countries, were much moreidentifiable to an American due mainly to size.After identifying thebirds by the photos, I compared the scientific names to Peterson's, and wasable to identify the birds with their English names (although usually thepictures in Peterson's looked nothing like those in "Vogel").Soas a field guide, Peterson's gets no stars, but for the descriptions andscientific names, it deserves a little credit. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds    2. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    3. Europe    4. General    5. Great Britain    6. Identification    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Reviews (13)

great
This book has amazing portraits of chickens with some imformation about each one.I wish the author had told us where each breed is from.Also is was not comprehensive of u s chicken breeds, but still an outstanding book.

The Fairest Book!
This is a gorgeous book. The pictures are breath taking and as Ira Glass said the birds really do "look" like they have personality. It's amazing. The pictures are clean and crisp and the description pages having interesting information about the birds. This is not a reference book though, it's purely for fun and for admiring.

Wonderful Chicken Book - Excellent Pictures!
This is one of my most favorite books of all time to include those books which mostly contain pictures.These chickens are turly 'sharp' birds and this book gives them due respect.Ms. Staples did a excellent job - let's have another edition... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Birds & Birdwatching - General    3. Chickens    4. Individual Photographer    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Photography    8. Pictorial works    9. Standards    10. Subjects & Themes - Portraits    11. United States    12. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS    13. Photographs: collections    14. Photography / Portraits   

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Herons    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - Ornithology    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Birds (ornithology)    7. Life Sciences | Vertebrate Zoology | Ornithology    8. Reference works    9. Science / Life Sciences / Zoology / Ornithology   

Reviews (6)

beautiful
My husband saw this book at the library and he had to have it. The projects are photographed beautifully and you can see every detail. We can't wait to make our own versions of the projects. The techniques are very clever. This book has very well laid out step by step instructions with lots of pictures. Anyone into nature will love this book.

What an inspiring book!
If you enjoy nature walks and love the idea of using found materials, this book is too much fun! I found the projects fascinating and yet I came away thinking "I can do this." I also appreciated the way she used some store bought materials so you don't have to live in the country to try creating some of these charming cottages. And the lovely little illustrations throughout make it a pleasure to look through even if your aren't inclined to actually make any of them.

functional and stylish!!!
Author Lucinda Macy's "Enchanting Woodland Birdhouses" is one of the finest step by step, do it yourself craft books that i've had the opportunity to use. Her excellent descriptions and pictorials make any of the projects inside a straightforward task to build on your own. Ranging from the simplest of designs, to those that will challenge even a skilled craftsman, there is something to be had for everyone. Furthermore, all birdhouses are designed to National Audobon Society specifications for their intended feathered inhabitants, making them not only beautiful, but very functional as well. Nature enthusiasts and hobbyists of all ages won't want to miss out on this treasure of a book, a great addition to any great library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birdhouses    2. Birds & Birdwatching - General    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Design and construction    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Woodwork - General    8. Handicrafts    9. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS   

Reviews (2)

after a field guide, this should be your 2nd bird book
This book is a 20 ct. diamond. I have used it for four years to plan birding trips. If you want to go where the birds are, this book is a must. It not only tells you where to go, it also gives you a detailed iteneray,tells you when to go, and tells you how many day to plan for your trip. Ifthat isn't enough, it refers you to other more detailed birding books tohelp you plan your trip.

Very valuable guide to various birding trips around the US.
A do it yourself guide to birding trips around the country including detailed itineraries. Professionals in the nature tours trade may want to keep this book a secret since it allows anybody to reproduce many of their trips at a significant cost saving. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Bird Watching    3. Birds & Birdwatching - General    4. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    5. General    6. Guidebooks    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. North America   

Subjects:  1. Bird Watching    2. Birds & Birdwatching - General    3. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Birds & birdwatching    7. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching    8. North America    9. Waterfowl - Identification - North America    10. Waterfowl - North America   

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. General    3. History    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Ornithology    7. Science    8. United States   

Reviews (1)

Blends gardening and wild animal management and observation
Attracting Butterflies & Hummingbirds To Your Backyard deserves ongoing mention as an outstanding survey of how gardens can attract desired wild birds and butterflies. From determining how native plants interact in the environment and help attract native visitors to understanding how to maintain a healthy environment, Attracting Butterflies & Hummingbirds To Your Backyard comes packed with tips which blend gardening and wild animal management and observation. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Butterflies    3. Butterflies & Moths    4. Butterfly gardening    5. Gardening    6. Gardening to attract birds    7. Gardening/Plants    8. General    9. Hummingbirds    10. Nature    11. Reference    12. Techniques   

Subjects:  1. 1896-1987    2. Ali, Salim,    3. Ali, Sâalim,    4. Birds & Birdwatching - General    5. General    6. India    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Ornithology    10. Life Sciences | Vertebrate Zoology | Ornithology    11. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Reviews (2)

Provides concise, informative descriptions
Field Guide To Upland Birds And Waterfowl is a compact, pocket-sized compendium that is ideal for identifying the 73 species of North American waterfowl and game birds. Beautiful illustrated throughout with full color illustrations detailing every important aspect of each bird, Field Guide To Upland Birds And Waterfowl provides concise, informative descriptions. The information provided covers special features of identification, habitat, breeding habits, vocalizations, and flock information for waterfowl. Whether you do your hunting with a firearm or a camera, Christopher Smith's Field Guide To Upland Birds And Waterfowl is the ideal guidebook.

An ideal guidebook for field ornithology.
Field Guide To Upland Birds And Waterford is a compact, pocket-sizedcompendium that is ideal for identifying the 73 species of North Americanwaterfowl and game birds. Beautiful illustrated throughout with full colorillustrations detailing every important aspect of each bird, Field Guide ToUpland Birds And Waterford provides concise, informative descriptions. Theinformation provided covers special features of identification, habitat,breeding habits, vocalizations, and flock information for waterfowl.Whether you do your hunting with a firearm or a camera, Christopher Smith'sField Guide To Upland Birds And Waterford is the ideal guidebook. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Hunting - Bird Hunting    3. Identification    4. North America    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Upland game birds    8. Waterfowl   

Reviews (1)

Any who love birds will find it most accessible
Birding Across North America: A Naturalist's Observations could be called a memoir of birding years, but it also holds plenty of practical details unique to the field guide, and description common to the travelogue. It may be hard to properly categorize this title, but any who love birds will find it most accessible. Individual chapters cover migration, reflections on domestic cats and wild birds, and basic elements of birdwatching in the East. A fascinating, revealing guide. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bird watching    2. Birds & Birdwatching - General    3. Essays    4. General    5. Nature    6. Nature / Field Guide Books    7. Nature/Ecology    8. North America    9. Birds & birdwatching    10. Nature / General    11. Other prose: from c 1900 -   

Subjects:  1. Bird Watching    2. Birds & Birdwatching - General    3. Individual Species Of Birds    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Azores    7. Birds & birdwatching    8. Canary Islands    9. Madeira   

Reviews (2)

An Excellent Introduction to a Wonderful Hobby
I have recently taken up falconry, and have found this guide to be an absolute godsend. I now know how to best feed my dear falcon, and even how to nurse him back to health when he is under the weather.
The Modern Faconer
A comprehensive guide containing all you need to know about falconry - breeding, history, the laws, the schools, displays, equitment, and veterinary care. Walters takes you step-by-step through everything, and manages to keep the information interesting. A definate must read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds    2. Birds & Birdwatching - General    3. Hunting - General    4. Nature    5. Pets    6. Birds & birdwatching    7. Hunting or shooting animals & game   

Editorial Review

Roger Tory Peterson, one of America's pre-eminent artist-naturalists and arguably the inventor of the field guide, made people love birds like no one since John James Audubon. Read more

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Reviews (30)

Misrepresentation
This book was bundled with another bird book, and the offer appeared directly under the Peterson Field Guide book, which I thought I was ordering. It was not very obvious in the small thumbnail image and description that it was a child's coloring book. I did not get what I wanted and have since returned it.

Perfect book for the older birder
I purchased this book for my mother, who is in her 70s.She recently started birding so this was her first field guide-easy to read, large pictures make identification very easy for the beginning birder of any age.

The first and the best
Peterson first published his revolutionary field guide in 1925, and ever since it has been the trusty companion of amateur and advanced birder alike.The popularity of his field guide was based on the system that he devised whereby he included coloured plates of each bird, and noted key identifying features of each bird, thus allowing the birder to make quick and confident identifications.The system is not fool-proof, of course, as some species closely resemble one another, but oversall, the tricks one learns from the Peterson field guide provides an excellent foundation for the aspiring birder.A number of other guides have come along, but I still find this one more than suitable, and therefore the one that I continue to rely on. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds    2. Birds & Birdwatching - General    3. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    4. Geographical distribution    5. Large print books    6. Nature    7. Nature/Ecology    8. North America    9. Birds & birdwatching    10. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching    11. Birdwatching    12. Field guides   

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Nature    5. Woodwork - General    6. Woodwork Arts And Crafts    7. Crafts & Hobbies / General    8. Drawing & drawings   

Reviews (7)

Book Review Birds Of North America :Eastern
This Guidebook gives a very accurate description of Birds of Eastern North America including some outstanding habits, nesting areas, and calls.It is a very important addition to my Ornathalogical Book collection.

Think of it as a mini encyclopedia on birds of eastern North America

Not for a beginner
I am a fairly new bird watcher and recieved this book as a gift, I have struggled to use if for a year and have finally given up. It is large book in which it is very difficut to find the bird you are looking for and although contains 'standard' information does not tell me what I often want to know. Additionally a large number of the birds they list are not found in the Eastern Region..this is hard for me to understand...why would bird experts create a book over half full of birds that do NOT live in the Eastern Region? I live in Virginia, and when looking up a bird I see at my feeder, after stuggling with the book, find a bird that looks similar only to realize it only found in South America or Washington State..oops must not be my bird...maybe it is great if you are advanced and want to know what other birds might look like the one you are looking for, but for me..no thanks. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds    2. Birds & Birdwatching - General    3. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    4. Canada    5. Canada, Eastern    6. East (U.S.)    7. Identification    8. Nature    9. Nature/Ecology    10. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Reviews (1)

The standard bird field guide for australia
As with any bird watcher, I have all the field guides to the birds of Australia. There are many and they are all good. However, my favourite (for the last few years...it does change with different editions, etc), is this, the "Pizzey and Knight". As a biology and wildlife based guide and educator in Australia, I travel all over the continent with school groups, tours and for my own recreation, so I 'road test" a lot of different field guides. I have found the illustrations in this book to consistently be the best, especially with the waders and shorebirds where it is most important. It also covers the family groups very well at the end of the book, which is important to gain a wider perspective on our bird fauna.
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Subjects:  1. Australia    2. Birds    3. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    4. General    5. Identification    6. Nature    7. Nature/Ecology    8. Nature / General   

Reviews (2)

Buy it for the photography--you'll learn something, too.
I bought this book as a gift for a friend who is an avid birdwatcher. Before I wrapped it, I glanced quickly through it and took a look at the BEAUTIFUL photographs of the great blue heron.However, as I read various lines describing the pictures, I began to look around for the associated text.Eventually, I just gave up and read through the entire book. Not being an ornithologist, I came to appreciate the true beauty and actual wonder of the great blue heron.Some of the details were specifically for ornithologist, e.g., the various stances and neck movements, but I enjoyed it and learned a lot as a layman.

The Great Blue Heron
An avid great blue heron researcher, this book by Hayward Allen captivates my undivided attention with each reading.Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Animals / Pets    3. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Wildlife