Reviews (14)

Birds of Michigan Field Guide and Audio CD Set
This set is just wonderful.The book has great real life photos with great details on the birds in Michigan.The audio CD is just as wonderful with the calls of the birds featured within the book.The little binder it comes with helps to keep the book new and the set all together.Great gift for anyone who loves to bird watch!

Excellent for casual bird watchers!
We bought this book to help us identify the various birds coming to our feeders.The book is perfect for anyone who wants a quick, easy way to identify most birds commonly found in Michigan.The birds are listed by their primary color, which makes it easy for a non-expert to locate the correct bird.Also, the book provides a brief synopsis of the bird's characteristics and habits, which we found quite interesting.Lastly, the book's small size allows us to set it on the windowsil allowing us easy access when a new bird visits our yard.

Thirty eggs?I don't remember laying thirty eggs.
The second edition of "Birds of Michigan Field Guide" has a two-CD set (sold separately) called "Birds of Michigan Audio CD Set." It is designed as a companion to this book.The calls are in the same order as in the book, and I strongly recommend that you purchase both the audio and the field guide.
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Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    3. Nature    4. Nature/Ecology   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Birds & Birdwatching - General    4. Subjects & Themes - Plants & Animals    5. Art / Subjects & Themes / Plants & Animals   

Reviews (4)

Nice overview, but not helpful otherwise
This book outlines several topics, one or two pages per topic, such as birdbaths, artificial ponds, etc., various topics that are all relevant, interesting, and just what you want... but it doesn't treat any one topic thoroughly or well enough.Well before I bought this book, I already knew a bit about how to provide habitats to encourage bees (for example).This book only gave a very rough overview of how to create one type of bee environment (how to make tubes to attract mason bees) but didn't even indicate that there are other types of bees (such as bumble bees... honey bees... various other bee species, each of which need their own particular type of home built for them), let alone give guidelines how to attract them.The most important thing, choosing plants that are bird-friendly or bee-friendly or animal-friends, it handles in a very superficial manner.True, it may list a few species of plants, but it hardly gives a comprehensive list.It doesn't say anything about the plants, such as zones, light/shade preference, etc.In summary, if there's anything you want to do, such as choose plants carefully, you'll need to buy another book.Beehouses?Buy another book or scour the internet.Yes, this book will motivate you, will make you feel, how nice it will be to build a butterfly-friendly garden.But it doesn't really give you what you need to do it, besides make you feel good about it.Do you want to build a birdhouse?Scoure the internet or buy another book.The only thing this book is good for, is to tell you the few topics you should start to think about.And that, you can get just by reading the Table of Contents.Oddly, it spends many pages describing home recipes for making bird cakes and patties, out of animal fat and seeds, that you can hang up in your garden -- a sort of Martha Stewart section slipped in the middle of the book there, as though this was the only "specific" information the author had at hand.I would suggest that instead of this, you buy a book that is positively overloaded with info like Degraaf's "Trees, Shrubs, and Vines for Attracting Birds" which lists a page per specie various plants -- start there.Then look up bee boxes on the internet.Etc.

Lots of great projects you can do with your kids......
So you want to turn your big back yard into a wildlife refuge?The place to begin is with the NWF `ATTRACTING BIRDS, BUTTERFLIES AND OTHER BACKYARD WILDLIFE.' This book, part of the `Creative Homeowner Series includes all kinds of nifty ideas for making your yard creature-friendly. You will become interested in ridding yourself of noxious grass the upkeep of which is frustrating, a lot of work, and expensive, and probably a source of pollution in your watershed.The book explains the reason why you also want to rid yourself of invasive exotic plants and add native plantings to your yard.Many `exotics carry disease and many fail to nourish the local fauna that grew up with the native stuff.Birds, for example, find the berries from the native Dogwood much more nutritious than the fruit of the Kousa Dogwood.You want to strive for balance in your yard if you want more bird sightings.If you live far enough out in the hinterland, you may also find other creatures visit your yard (though I live in Arlington VA and my neighbor reports a raccoon is having a fish dinner every night from her pond, and I know I have smelled a skunk on many mornings).
Featuring 17 great projects along with a wealth of tips
Illustrated throughout with enticing color photographs, Attracting Birds, Butterflies, And Other Backyard Wildlife by David Mizejewski (Manager, Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program) is an exceptional and highly recommended homeowner's guide featuring 17 great projects along with a wealth of tips, tricks, and techniques to create gardens filled with wildlife sights, sounds, and natural wonders. Featuring advice for obtaining certification for a backyard habitat in the NWF's Backard Wildlife Habitat program, as well as more general suggestions from building amphibian and bee nesting houses, to finding native plants, avoiding West Nile Virus in the water provided for wildlife, butterfly feeders, and so much more, Attracting Birds, Butterflies, And Other Backyard Wildlife is a first-rate informational guide and a welcome addition to personal and community library Wildlife and Gardening reference collections. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Butterflies & Moths    3. Garden Design    4. Gardening    5. Gardening / Horticulture    6. Gardening/Plants    7. Nature / Butterflies   

Reviews (33)

An addiction worse than crack cocaine!
I have a good friend who is a dedicated birder, and until I read Obmascik's book I had no idea why.This book started me thinking that I've not been paying nearly enough attention to the birds who inhabit the upper branches of my backyard trees.Truly they are fascinating creatures; we could learn a lot from them!This sly, well-written book totally cracked me up, and now I'm thinking it's high time I dusted off the binoculars.

Never knew birding was so competitive!
I picked up this book on the strength of an interview on NPR with the author, Mark Obmascik, awhile ago.He covers the 'story' in entertaining and journalistic fashion of three men who spend 1998 doing a Big Year, which is when each try to sight as many species of birds in the U.S.This includes waters off the U.S. as well as the remote island of Attu off the coast of Alaska where many rarities end up after winter storms (rarities are birds considered 'once-in-a-lifetime' sighting because most of them are native of lands outside the U.S.).The three men slowly become aware of each other and their inevitable face-to-face encounter on a boat off Cape Hatteras, N.C. is a humourous dance of showmanship and admiration.I'm not a birder but that's not necessary to understand the intensity of the competition, the delights and frustrations on the path to immorality of a sort (at least in the birding world!).Highly recommended.

Unusual, funny, captivating
Every page put an exclamation point in my head, a smile on my lips, or a field guide into my hands. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anecdotes    2. Bird watchers    3. Bird watching    4. Birds    5. Birds & Birdwatching - General    6. Counting    7. Essays    8. General    9. Nature    10. Nature/Ecology    11. Nature / General   

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Nature    3. Nature / Field Guide Books    4. Nature/Ecology    5. Biological Sciences    6. Birds & birdwatching    7. Birds (ornithology)    8. Birds and Natural History    9. East Africa    10. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Reviews (1)

All you need to identify raptors in Europe(almost!)
When I heard about this book I knew that I'd end up buying it,as I am a raptor fanatic(unfortunately its use is limited here in Ireland, as only three raptor species are in any way common,and very few migrant raptorsoccur) All of the regular European species(plus Lappet-faced Vulture) aredepicted,with the number of photos seemingly varying in proportion todifficulty of identification.The text is fairly technical,but readableenough,and there isn't an excess of jargon(thank God!)I first used it toage a Marsh Harrier this January as an adult female,and in this respect itwas of great use. It also helped me to tentatively age a Buzzard in lateFeb. as a 2nd-year bird.I have yet to be confronted by a raptor which Iactually haven't identified to species before consulting this book, but ifI do I would turn to this book straight away.Also,many of the photos aresuperb,and whet the appetite for species that I have yet to see (all buteight of them!)The section at the start about moult etc. is extremelyinteresting also.If you live in Europe and have an interest in raptors,buythis book.Now,about that trip tothe continent....... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    3. Birds of prey    4. Europe    5. Falconiformes    6. Identification    7. Individual Species Of Birds    8. Middle East    9. Nature    10. Nature/Ecology    11. Biological Sciences    12. Birds & birdwatching    13. Birds (ornithology)    14. Birds and Natural History    15. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Reviews (1)

Great Resource
This book is an excellent resource for learning about what to feed most birds that will visit your garden.There are also ideas and instructions on how to build birdfeeders - from simple to more complex.A must-have for anyone who enjoys back-yard birdwatching. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Nature    3. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching    4. Nature / Field Guide Books    5. Pets / Birds    6. Bird Watching    7. Birds    8. Birds & Birdwatching    9. Pets   

Reviews (5)

At last! THE Belize bird guide
Due to its small size, proximity to the USA, English speaking tradition, tropical biodiversity and fairly well conserved natural environment, Belize is growing to be one of the most popular destinations for birders. However, until recently the country lacked a national field guide. This book therefore fills a major gap in the bird identification literature.
Birds of Belize - THE book ;o)
We are into preparations for our 14 days of ornithology in Belize in February 2006.It is a first birds watching trip for my husband and I.We are fortunate to have a friend who a made few and shares her experiences with us.Yes, the book is too heavy for the field...Following her instructions, we went to a printer store and had the book cut in 2 parts, the texts and the pictures.They have made2 books; one that we will bring with us and the other that will stay home or in the luggages. We have also added a french index that our friend had made (Thanks to you M.)at the new picture's book that will be very helpfull to us in the field.We will also mark beside the pictures if the birds are common, rare, very rare.
Wonderful!
I got back maybe 2 weeks ago.This book was so great! It may be a bit big and heavy but so worth it! It would have been 5 stars if it weighed less.
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Subjects:  1. Belize    2. Birds    3. Birds & Birdwatching - General    4. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    5. Identification    6. Nature    7. Nature/Ecology    8. Pictorial works    9. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Reviews (2)

Nice book for beginning birders
This is a pleasant enough introduction to wading birds, focusing primarily on herons and egrets, with lots of decent photos. There is little real technical information about the different species. If you're looking for a book with some nice pictures of herons, this is it. If you're looking for information on range, habits, behavior, there's not much here

The perfect balance
What impressed me the most about this book is how the author struck a balance between beautiful pictures and good scientific information. With these types of publications you sometimes get one or the other.I personally wanted more then just good photographs. I am learning a lot from reading this book.
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Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    3. General    4. Habitat    5. Herons    6. Life Sciences - Ecology    7. Nature    8. North America    9. Ornithology    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Biological Sciences    12. Birds (ornithology)    13. Birds and Natural History    14. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Reviews (24)

Losing place
Don't get me wrong, I'm nowhere near the photographer Arthur Morris is, but the emerging world of digital photography has taken the bloom off this rose. This title needs updating for the new world. This book focuses mainly on work done with full-frame film cameras (where Morris earned his reputation), and much of what's here would apply to full-frame digital SLRs. Problem is, most of us can't afford them, and we're forced to using APS-C, smaller-frame cameras. The most significant thing there is that the images delivered to the sensors are the central portion of the full-frame sensor, so a lens connected to the camera "acts like" it has a longer focal length. This impacts things like composition and lens selection, and some detail from the master would have been insightful.
I Shoot A Lot More Birds That I Used To
I bought this book on a whim, thinking, well I kind of like taking pictures of birds, but they are so hard to get.Then I read this book and learned that with the right techniques and preparation I could take great bird pictures.Birds are now my second favorite subject right after flowers.The author is really an inspiration and his photos are wonderful.Even if you don't focus solely on bird photography, this is a great book and it is fun to read.Plus I learned of the hot-spots in North America for bird photography, which I will be visiting soon.

Excellent guide to bird photography
I recently got interested in birding and photographing them to document my observations. This book provides you all the practical information you need to become an excellent bird photographer. The only thing missing is that there is nothing about using the digital camera because this was published before the digital revolution. Author also spends a lot of time discussing the shortcomings of some of the film cameras and lenses. These have pretty much been addressed by the more modern cameras and lenses. Photographs are outstanding. A book worth having. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Photo Techniques    2. Photography    3. Photography of birds    4. Subjects & Themes - Plants & Animals    5. Techniques - General    6. Birds & birdwatching    7. North America    8. Photographic equipment & techniques    9. Special kinds of photography   

Editorial Review

Beyond croaking, "Nevermore," what exactly do ravens do all day? Bernd Heinrich, biology professor at the University of Vermont and author of Read more

Reviews (26)

Mind of the Raven
Very informative yet not too scientific.Contains many facts not commonly known about these intelligent birds.This book could change your mind about them.

The ultimate book of raven behavior
I knew the raven had many interesting feature to them before I opened this book but after reading "mind of the raven" I will say I was amazed of both the research Bernd Heinrich has done and of this remarkable bird. Heinrich are presenting his findings about the ravens where he is taking the subject (the raven) seriously and simultaneously managed to make it attractive for people that have not specialize in beaks and feathers.

3 - 2 - 1 ....
I agree with most reviewers that this book fascinates the reader with interesting science and anecdotes about ravens.There are countless facts and amusing information provided about the intelligence, behavior and antics of both wild and tame ravens.One of the more humorous sections was on vocal communication, particulary mimicking. Heinrich provides descriptions of captive ravens making perfect renditions of radio static, toilets flushing and a motorcycle being revved up.There was also a scientist in a national park who distictly heard several times: "Three, two, one, bcccchhhh", sounding as if coming from a speaker. This was acually a raven who was sufficiently impressed with the park rangers conducting avalanche control to repeat the count-down and sound of the explosion.Hilarious...
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Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Essays    3. General    4. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Birds & birdwatching    8. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Editorial Review

Did you know that neither temperature nor hunger sparks bird migration? That many species migrate at night? That some birds migrate more than 5,000 miles in a single, uninterrupted flight? "We are such stodgy, rooted creatures," observes the author of this fascinating book. "To think of crossing thousands of miles under our own power is as incomprehensible as jumping the moon. Yet even the tiniest of birds perform such miracles."Read more

Reviews (16)

Vivid and poetic language
The information on bird migration is absolutely engrossing. However, the language Weidensaul uses is even more enjoyable. I kept the computer dictionary next to me while reading the book to check the beautiful language used to describe bird behavior and their habitats. This book is inspiring and thought provoking even for non-birders like me (I am likely classified as a computer geek).

A Wonderful BookI
If you enjoy nature reading you will love this book.I am not a birder, but nevertheless found this book to be an eloquent and fascinating read. Weidensaul introduces and explores a world that occurs around us every day but that few of us know anything about. He writes extremely well. Overall, a wonderful book.

Tales of migration that read like a Crichton novel...
This is absolutely one of the best non-fiction books I have ever read.Not only backyard birding enthusiasts, but anyone who has ever had even a passing interest in birds will love this book.Scott writes about birds in an understanding yet scientific manner that lends itself to wonderful readability while providing vast amounts of information.Beginning in Alaska, moving down the hemisphere to the pampas of Argentina, and back again, he takes the reader on a amazing journey that literally follows the paths taken by millions of birds each year. He combines personal field experiences with well assembled accounts of scientific research and ornithological history to paint a vivid picture of the swirling patterns of avian movement across the globe.If you have ever looked twice at a bird passing overhead, I highly reccomend picking up this valuable addition to any naturalist's library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds    2. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    3. General    4. Migration    5. Nature    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Animal behaviour    9. Birds (ornithology)    10. Modern fiction   

Reviews (4)

Darling!
This is based on a true story.Margarete, who considered herself a typical grandmother, ran across a downed baby bird in her flower patch.She tried to put the bird back in the nest as a helpful soul, but that didn't work.She tried several times, describing her attempts to reach the nest by roof and ladder like a gymnastics move - remember, this is a grandmother.Each time she completed the task only to find the bird back in the flower patch down below.When she decided to raise the bird herself, it was of course only going to be temporary. Amazing!
It is the heartwarming story of a lady and her bird. Brings tears to the eyes!Superbly written! A great biography for any one who even remotely likes animals!

Bravo!
Heartwarming story about a remarkable woman and the wild bird that captivated her heart. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Birds & Birdwatching - General    3. Nature / Field Guide Books    4. Nature/Ecology    5. Starlings    6. Starlings as pets    7. Nature / General   

Subjects:  1. Bird Watching    2. Bird attracting    3. Birds & Birdwatching - General    4. Garden Design    5. Gardening    6. Gardening to attract birds    7. Gardening/Plants    8. Home Gardening    9. Landscape    10. Nature    11. Gardening / Garden Design   

Reviews (6)

Nothing extraordinary
Anyone could have compiled this information, even a high schooler doing a report for English class.Aside from this obvious fact, the writing is simply boring and dry.
Great book, enjoyable reading-quick and simple
It was a great read for someone like me how likes birds, trivial facts, interesting thoughts and needs quick reads.Each section on each bird was only a couple of pages long--about a 1-2 minute read each.Great for relaxing-not alot of scientific lingo to confuse or bore you (thinking really wasn't required).4 stars.

Fun read but it is not a field guide
Spring is here, and especially in the northern climates, our thoughts begin to focus on the reawakening of nature. Everything that has been at rest comes alive and shouts, "I'm back!" Trees begin to bud, flowers sprout up as we anticipate their glorious colors. And then there are the birds. For many, there is a special anticipation of the birds' return. It is how we know that winter is behind us.
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Subjects:  1. Birds    2. Birds & Birdwatching - General    3. Nature    4. Nature/Ecology    5. Nomenclature (Popular)    6. Birds & birdwatching    7. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Editorial Review

A second revised edition of John Kricher's well-received 1989 text, Read more

Reviews (12)

whet your appetite for a fascinating region of the Americas
Kricher's NEOTROPICAL COMPANION is not the kind of 'field-guide-for-dummies' that many of us depend on to find our way around Central and South America's flora and fauna. Rather, it's the next step for people who've become familiar with that kind of guide and want to understand at a deeper and occasionally more abstract level why the natural life around them is what it is.
If you are travelling to the American tropics buy this book
This is just about the best introduction to the natural history of the New World tropics available and is a real bargain at this price. Another good alternative is "Tropical Nature" by Forsyth and Miyata.
Two more companions....
A substantial compendium that will whet your desire for travel!(...)(I have no affiliation with this website, but found this gem much in the same way I found this book, justtrolling the internet).
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Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Ecology    3. General    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Biological Sciences    7. Birds and Natural History    8. Central America    9. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS    10. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching    11. Reference    12. South America   

Subjects:  1. Bird Diseases    2. Birds & Birdwatching - General    3. Birds of prey    4. Diseases    5. Medical / Nursing    6. Nature    7. Nature/Ecology    8. Ornithology    9. Veterinary Medicine - Small Animal    10. Veterinary Medicine Practice For Specific Animals    11. Birds, including cage birds   

Subjects:  1. Bird Anatomy And Physiology    2. Birds    3. Birds & Birdwatching - General    4. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Physiology    8. Science    9. Veterinary Medicine - General    10. Animal physiology    11. Birds (ornithology)    12. Science / Zoology    13. Veterinary anatomy & physiology   

Reviews (8)

Strong overall with a few significant flaws
The text in this book is excellent, with good descriptions of the various species and nice writeups of behavioral habits.However if you want to use the book as a field guide to identify the birds you are seeing, there are some flaws that make this hard to do:
A Guide to the Birds of Panama
Book great.Helped me identify some of the birds I saw when in Panama/CR recently.Illustrations made it easy to recognize the birds.

The only guide out there
I visit Panama at least once a year, and this book is the first thing I pack for every trip. There's simply no other field guide out there. Although the book is over due for a thorough update (of both taxonomy and range reports), it's still the best source for identifying birds in Panama. All the guides and researchers that I've met over the years use this book. One of the most useful parts is the section that describes the best birding spots in Panama, as most of these places have remained largely unchanged. The plates are very good, more than adequate.
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Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    3. Nature    4. Nature/Ecology    5. Ornithology    6. Birds and Natural History    7. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Reviews (8)

Must have.
This book is an absolute must-have for anyone who wants to draw these birds... or simply appreciates their beauty.These aren't simply glamor-shots, they're close-up detailed images, from a number of different angles.Every one is well lit, in crisp focus, and shows wonderful detail.

Excellent Reference
This wonderfully photographed book is an excellent reference for anyone interested in carving birds of prey. An extremely thorough series of photographs is included for each bird covered in the book. Additionally, patterns and other carving consideration are included for each specimen. The book concludes with a chapter on creating acrylic eyes for carvings, a chapter on carving and painting a kestrel, and a chapter exhibiting some of the authors carvings. Incidentally, the author's carvings are great. Gorgeous photos, facinating ifo
This is a gorgeous book packed with large color photos of many beautiful live birds. Its intended purpose is as a sourcebook for artists, but it will universally appeal to any bird lover.Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Birds of prey    3. Nature    4. Nature/Ecology    5. North America    6. Ornithology    7. Birds & birdwatching    8. Photographs: collections