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The Bird Way: A New Look at How Birds Talk, Work, Play, Parent, and Think
by Jennifer AckermanFrom the New York Times bestselling author of The Genius of Birds, a radical investigation into the bird way of being, and the recent scientific research that is dramatically shifting our understanding of birds -- how they live and how they think.&“There is the mammal way and there is the bird way.&” But the bird way is much more than a unique pattern of brain wiring, and lately, scientists have taken a new look at bird behaviors they have, for years, dismissed as anomalies or mysteries –– What they are finding is upending the traditional view of how birds conduct their lives, how they communicate, forage, court, breed, survive. They are also revealing the remarkable intelligence underlying these activities, abilities we once considered uniquely our own: deception, manipulation, cheating, kidnapping, infanticide, but also ingenious communication between species, cooperation, collaboration, altruism, culture, and play. Some of these extraordinary behaviors are biological conundrums that seem to push the edges of, well, birdness: a mother bird that kills her own infant sons, and another that selflessly tends to the young of other birds as if they were her own; a bird that collaborates in an extraordinary way with one species—ours—but parasitizes another in gruesome fashion; birds that give gifts and birds that steal; birds that dance or drum, that paint their creations or paint themselves; birds that build walls of sound to keep out intruders and birds that summon playmates with a special call—and may hold the secret to our own penchant for playfulness and the evolution of laughter. Drawing on personal observations, the latest science, and her bird-related travel around the world, from the tropical rainforests of eastern Australia and the remote woodlands of northern Japan, to the rolling hills of lower Austria and the islands of Alaska&’s Kachemak Bay, Jennifer Ackerman shows there is clearly no single bird way of being. In every respect, in plumage, form, song, flight, lifestyle, niche, and behavior, birds vary. It is what we love about them. As E.O Wilson once said, when you have seen one bird, you have not seen them all.
Birdbrain Amos
by Michael DelaneyWhen Amos the hippopotamus advertises for a bird to help him with his bug problem, the tick bird who answers his ad creates a different set of problems for him by building a nest on Amos's head.
Birdbrain Amos, Mr. Fun
by Michael DelaneyOh no! Lovable Amos is heartbroken that his tick bird Amoeba has found a new, fun friend. Even worse, Amoeba's new friend isn't even real! Amoeba actually prefers her imaginary friend to her real-life hippopotamus one. Ready to swim any river necessary to regain Amoeba's affections, Amos sets off on a big adventure--a road trip to the Serengeti-- just to prove he's Mr. Fun. But like most vacations, things don't always go as planned. Crocodile traffic jams, strange local beasts, and unmarked forks in the river all spell potential doom for Mr. Fun. But leave it to our befuddled hero's own imagination to turn this disaster-in-the-making into an adventure Amoeba will never forget. As laugh-out-loud funny as the original, Birdbrain Amos, Mr. Fun is a trip kids will want to revisit over and over again.
Birder on Berry Lane: Three Acres, Twelve Months, Thousands of Birds
by Robert Tougias&“Birder on Berry Lane weaves a remarkably rich tapestry, describing many birds&’ lives around a single place and showing just how connected to them we can become. Robert Tougias proves that if we look, we can see so much more than we think, even in our own backyards.&” Brian Sullivan eBird project leader, Cornell University Author of Better Birding—Tips, Tools, and Concepts for the Field A month-by-month guide to the birds that flock to the peaceful New England backyard of a noted writer, birder, and naturalist. Robert Tougias's house on Berry Lane may look like a typical Connecticut suburban home, but as his fascinating year-long account reveals, its three-acre backyard is teeming with nature's mysteries. Acutely sensitive to the activities of birds, Tougias notes which species are present, which are breeding, and where their nests are. He identifies each species by its song, and brings us on a journey of appreciation as we learn the wonders of bird migration, the sensitive interaction of birds with their habitat, and the hidden meaning of their call notes and songs.Intimate and acutely observed writing reveals the miracles of the ordinary in the subtle changes, season to season, of the ecosystem of the woods, streams, and meadow that make up the sprawling backyard on Berry Lane. We are led to consider, too, the dangers posed by the climate crisis and unthinking human development. The quietly powerful writing tunes our senses to the change of the seasons, the return of warblers in spring, geese flying south in the fall--all happening on time as they have for eons.Beautifully illustrated with twenty-five line drawings, Birder on Berry Lane is a book of sublime simplicity that teaches an appreciation for what we commonly overlook.
Birder's Conservation Handbook: 100 North American Birds at Risk
by Jeffrey V. WellsUntil now there has been no single, comprehensive resource on the status of North America's most threatened birds and what people can do to help protect them. Birder's Conservation Handbook is the only book of its kind, written specifically to help birders and researchers understand the threats while providing actions to protect birds and their habitats. Jeffrey Wells has distilled vast amounts of essential information into a single easy-to-use volume-required reading for anyone who loves birds and wants to ensure they are protected. At-a-glance species accounts cover in detail North America's one hundred most at-risk birds; each account is beautifully illustrated by today's top bird artists. The text includes status, distribution, ecology, threats, conservation actions and needs, and references. A distribution map accompanies each entry. Chapters discuss birds as indicators of environmental health, the state of North American bird populations, major conservation issues, and initiatives now underway to improve the health of North America's birds. Birder's Conservation Handbook is an indispensable resource for birdwatchers, researchers, naturalists, and conservationists. Reading it will inspire you to become an active steward of our birds and the habitats we share. A comprehensive guide to North America's one hundred most at-risk birds and how to protect them Compact and easy to use, with beautiful illustrations and data organized for convenient, at-a-glance reference Detailed species accounts, including distribution maps Practical advice on conservation Information on leading conservation agencies and resources
The Birder's Guide to Vancouver and the Lower Mainland: Revised and Expanded Edition
by Nature VancouverBirding is one of the fastest-growing hobbies in North America-one in five Canadians enjoy identifying, photographing or filming birds. With easy access to coastal mountains, marshes and mudflats of the Fraser delta, temperate rainforest, and rocky shores of the Pacific Ocean, the Vancouver area is a wonderful destination for birdwatchers. Of the 450 species found in Canada, over 400 can be seen in the Lower Mainland.Now expanded with all-new colour maps and more than 100 additional colour photographs, this guide explores thirty-three local birding areas that attract significant numbers of species throughout the year. Each area has a description, brand new walking map and information on the seasonal variations in species. Driving directions are also included.Information is also organized by species, and the final two sections of the book include graphs of the seasonal status of local birds as well as tips on where to find certain sought-after species at different times of the year.Compiled by local experts, The Birder's Guide to Vancouver and the Lower Mainland has long been considered the bible for Vancouver-area birdwatchers and essential reading for visiting and local bird enthusiasts alike-and it's now better than ever.
A Birder's West Indies: An Island-by-Island Tour
by Roland H. WauerThe West Indies offer so much more than sun, sand, and shopping. This sweeping arc of islands, which runs from Cuba to Grenada and includes the Virgin Islands, teems with a rich diversity of plant and animal life. Up to 40 percent of the plants in some forests are found nowhere else on earth, while the West Indian flyway is a critical link in the migratory routes of many birds. In A Birder's West Indies, Roland Wauer takes you on an island-by-island journey of discovery. He describes the unique natural features of each island and recounts his often fascinating experiences in seeking out the nearly 400 species of birds known in the West Indies. His accounts give insight into the birds' habitats, status, and ecology and record some of the threats posed by human activities. For readers planning trips to the West Indies, Wauer also includes helpful, up-to-date facts about the best times to travel, the kinds of entry and customs systems to expect, the money exchange services available, and general information about weather, food, and accommodations. Filling a unique niche among current guides, A Birder's West Indies offers both professional ornithologists and avocational bird watchers a chance to compare notes and experiences with an expert observer. And for readers who haven't yet visited the islands, Wauer's fluid prose and lovely color photographs will be the next-best thing to being there-and an irresistible invitation to go.
Birdfinding in British Columbia
by Russell Cannings Richard CanningsFrom Canada's top birding team comes the definitive guide to finding birds in British Columbia.Veteran naturalist and birdfinder Richard Cannings and his son, Russell, a gifted birder in his own right, use their combined knowledge and expertise to guide readers to the best birding sites in the province. The book is divided into eleven regions, from Vancouver Island to the Far North, providing bird lovers with detailed information about how to reach the best sites to look for birds, when to look for them, and what they might find.Packed with descriptions of the natural history, ecosystems, and diverse landscapes of British Columbia and accompanied by numerous maps, this thorough guide is enhanced by Donald Gunn's charming line drawings and the authors' infectious enthusiasm, making it a must-have for novice and expert birders alike.
Birdgirl: Looking to the Skies in Search of a Better Future
by Mya-Rose CraigBirder, environmentalist and activist Mya-Rose Craig is an international force. In her moving memoir, Birdgirl, she chronicles her mother’s struggle with mental illness, and shares her passion for social justice and fierce dedication to preserving our planet.Meet Mya-Rose – otherwise known as “Birdgirl.” In her words: “Birdwatching has never felt like a hobby, or a pastime I can pick up and put down, but a thread running through the pattern of my life, so tightly woven in that there’s no way of pulling it free and leaving the rest of my life intact.”Birdgirl follows Mya-Rose and her family as they travel the world in search of rare birds and astonishing landscapes. But a shadow moves with them, too—her mother's deepening mental health crisis. In the face of this struggle, the Craigs turn to nature again and again for comfort and meaning. Each bird they see brings a moment of joy and reflection, instilling in Mya-Rose a deep love of the natural world. But Mya-Rose has also seen first-hand the reckless destruction we are inflicting on our fragile planet, as well as the pervasive racism infecting every corner of the world, leading her to campaign for Black, Indigenous, people of color.Joining the fight of today's young environmental activists, Mya-Rose shares her experiences to advocate for the simple, profound gift of nature, and for making it accessible to all, calling her readers to rediscover the power of our natural world.Birder, activist, daughter: this is her story.
Birdhouses and Feeders
by S. Craven G. Barquest R. EllarsonYou don't have to be an outdoorsy type to enjoy birdwatching, and you don't necessarily have to go outdoors to watch birds! Set up any of these thirty cozy homes and feeders in a spot that's conveniently viewed from indoors, and let the show begin!This easy-to-use manual features clear illustrations and step-by-step construction guidelines for building permanent residences, winter homes, and snack bars for birds of many different feathers—wrens, bluebirds, owls, robins, titmice, and other species, including squirrels and bats. A list of easily obtainable materials appears with each design, along with helpful suggestions for attracting specific creatures. Most designs involve woodworking techniques; others offer simple methods for recycling milk jugs, cardboard cartons, and tires into wildlife refuges.
Birdie for Now (Orca Young Readers)
by Jean LittleDickon wasn't happy in his old home or his old school. He hopes that in his new neighborhood he will meet children who never knew his old, hyper self, who will like him for who he is now. And he hopes for a dog of his own. Dickon's mother calls him Birdie. She feeds him milk from a teddy bear mug. She worries if he's out of her sight for a moment and she knows how filthy and vicious dogs can be. Dickon is delighted to discover that the Humane Society is right on the other side of the fence behind the new house, but only by disobeying his mother will he ever get close to a real dog.
Birdie & Harlow: Life, Loss, and Loving My Dog So Much I Didn't Want Kids (…Until I Did)
by Taylor WolfeThe funny and poignant story of one woman’s wonderfully codependent relationship with her dog – and what he taught her about chosen family and the reward of motherhood.Birdie & Harlow is the story of a baby and a dog. But motherhood is never quite that simple. In Taylor Wolfe’s case, it’s a long, zigzagging and winding road.Meant to be a last-minute anniversary gift for her then boyfriend (and now husband), the highly-energetic and loud-mouthed Vizla puppy named Harlow turns out to be the best snap decision twenty-year-old Taylor ever makes—and the beginning of the most epic friendship she ever has. As Wolfe’s resistance to 9-5’s and traditional adulthood grows, Harlow becomes the perfect companion for her eccentricities in a world that thrives on conformity. Wolfe’s twenties—full of pitfalls and surprises, sad days and silver linings—led her to the realization that life is too short to spend your days in a crate (or a cubicle), that parks are meant to be enjoyed, and most importantly, she wants to be a mom. But really, isn't she one already? A charming and touching memoir, Birdie & Harlow is a tribute to the many expressions of modern motherhood, to both human and fur babies alike. Taylor’s story reminds all of us that life will surprise you and that families should come in every shape and size.
Birding at the Bridge: In Search of Every Bird on the Brooklyn Waterfront
by Heather WolfBright lights, big city, and . . . birds? The Brooklyn Bridge once overshadowed a decaying industrial waterfront, but today it points the way to a new green oasis: Brooklyn Bridge Park. When avid birder Heather Wolf moved from tropical Florida to a nearby apartment, she wondered how many species she might see there, and soon came to a surprising realization: Not only is the park filled with an astonishing variety of birds, but the challenges that come with urban birding make them even more fun—and rewarding—to find. Camera in hand, Heather has captured scores of memorable scenes—a European starling pokes its head out of a hole in a snack shop, a marsh wren straddles two branches, common grackle nestlings clamor for food above the basketball courts—in more than 150 stunning photographs that will entrance birders and bird lovers, wherever their local patch may be. From the familiar-but-striking bufflehead duck to the elusive mourning warbler, every species comes to life on the page, foraging, nesting, and soaring in the slice of the city where they’ve made themselves at home. Discover the thrilling adventure of birding in the great outdoors—in the heart of Brooklyn.
The Birding Dictionary
by Rosemary MoscoWith birding more popular than ever, this clever pocket-sized guide is a unique gift that celebrates the obsession with hilarious definitions and clever illustrations of terms that birders know and love. Acclaimed science communicator and cartoonist Rosemary Mosco offers a clever, humorous gift that's perfect for any birdwatching obsessive in The Birding Dictionary. It is a &“dictionary&” filled with hilarious and informative definitions for more than 200 birding terms, plus over 50 witty full‑color illustrations. Terms range from bird species, anatomy, and behaviors to the insider birdwatching jargon that all birders know and speak fluently, from "alpha code" to "zygodactyl." With equal parts quirky humor, accessible science, and impulse giftability, The Birding Dictionary is the latest in Workman&’s legendary &“pocket dictionary&” series, which includes Golfing, Skiing, Sailing, and others, with a whopping 2.5 million copies in print.
Birding for Babies: A Numbers Book
by Chloe GoodhartIntroducing a new board book series, filled with fun facts, that invites young readers into the exciting world of bird-watching.From two red-bellied woodpeckers to eight northern mockingbirds, kids will explore some of the most popular backyard birds nature has to offer while learning their numbers, too! The whole family can bring these books outdoors and bird together!
Birding for Babies: A Colors Book
by Chloe GoodhartIntroducing a new board book series, filled with fun facts, that invites young readers into the exciting world of bird-watching.From the purple finch to the Indigo bunting, kids will explore some of the most popular migrating birds nature has to offer while learning their unique colors, too! The whole family can bring these books outdoors and bird together!
Birding for Babies: An Opposites Book
by Chloe GoodhartDiscover new feathery friends in this book series filled with fun facts that invites young readers into the exciting world of bird-watching.From the slow woodcock to the fast roadrunner, kids will explore some of the most popular birds around the world while learning about opposites, too! The whole family can bring these books outdoors and bird together!
Birding in Connecticut (Garnet Bks.)
by Frank Gallo&“Absolutely packed with useful details about all of Connecticut&’s best birding locations . . . an essential reference for any birder in the state.&” ―David Sibley, author of The Sibley Guide to Birds Birding in Connecticut is the definitive guide to where, when, and how to find birds in the state. Packed with information valuable to birders of all skill levels, from species accounts and a first-of-a kind cumulative list of rare bird sightings to a host of tips and tricks to finding and identifying birds, it is an invaluable resource on the habits and habitats of Connecticut's birdlife, with clear and up-to-date bar graphs showing seasonal occurrence and abundance for every Connecticut bird species. It is the first guide of its kind to offer QR code links to continually updated information on the occurrence and abundance of birds at each location. Beautifully illustrated with color photographs and maps, Birding in Connecticut is the perfect companion for experts and novices alike. &“A one-stop shopping expedition for birders of all skill levels. It&’s also a definitive guide for lovers of the state&’s natural gifts, flora and fauna alike.&” ―The Sunday Republican
Birding Indonesia
by Paul Jepson Rosie OunstedBirding Indonesia is the first guide to bird-watching in Indonesia. The archipelago contains 17% of the world's bird species, of which 381 are found nowhere else on earth. Written by the world's leading authorities on Indonesian birds, this book directs you in search of these specialities, to sites as varied as the environs of Jakarta to Arfak Mountains in Irian JayaPracticalities: Travel information geared to every budget, including details of transport, accommodations, dining prices, as well as specialist information relevant to birdersInformation: Essays on bird families, a history of Indonesian ornithology, today's conservation efforts, and much more. A complete checklist of Indonesian birds, with common and scientific names(along with the areas in which the birds are found), and a bibliography.Photography and Maps: More than 130 color photographs showing some of Indonesia's top birds and birding sites and 28 maps (some with bird habitats marked in color)
Birding Indonesia
by Rosie Ounsted Paul JepsonBirding Indonesia is the first guide to bird-watching in Indonesia. The archipelago contains 17% of the world's bird species, of which 381 are found nowhere else on earth. Written by the world's leading authorities on Indonesian birds, this book directs you in search of these specialities, to sites as varied as the environs of Jakarta to Arfak Mountains in Irian JayaPracticalities: Travel information geared to every budget, including details of transport, accommodations, dining prices, as well as specialist information relevant to birdersInformation: Essays on bird families, a history of Indonesian ornithology, today's conservation efforts, and much more. A complete checklist of Indonesian birds, with common and scientific names(along with the areas in which the birds are found), and a bibliography.Photography and Maps: More than 130 color photographs showing some of Indonesia's top birds and birding sites and 28 maps (some with bird habitats marked in color)
Birding to Change the World: A Memoir
by Trish O'KaneIn this uplifting memoir, a professor and activist shares what birds can teach us about life, social change, and protecting the environment.Trish O’Kane is an accidental ornithologist. In her nearly two decades writing about justice as an investigative journalist, she'd never paid attention to nature. But then Hurricane Katrine destroyed her New Orleans home, sending her into an emotional tailspin.Enter a scrappy cast of feathered characters—first a cardinal, urban parrots, and sparrows, then a catbird, owls, a bittern, and a woodcock—that cheered her up and showed her a new path. Inspired, O'Kane moved to Madison, Wisconsin, to pursue an environmental studies PhD. There she became a full-on bird obsessive—logging hours in a stunningly biodiverse urban park, filling field notebooks with bird doings and dramas, and teaching ornithology to college students and middle-school kids.When Warner Park—her daily birdwatching haven—was threatened with development, O’Kane and her neighbors mustered a mighty murmuration of nature lovers, young and old, to save the birds' homes. Through their efforts, she learned that once you get outside and look around, you're likely to fall in love with a furred or feathered creature—and find a flock of your own.In Birding to Change the World, O'Kane details the astonishing science of bird life, from migration and parenting to the territorial defense strategies that influenced her own activism. A warm and compelling weave of science and social engagement, this is the story of an improbably band of bird lovers who saved their park. And it is a blueprint for muscular citizenship, powered by joy.
Birding Under the Influence: Cycling Across America in Search of Birds and Recovery
by null Dorian Anderson&“One hell of a ride.&”—Nick Offerman, actor, woodworker, New York Times bestselling author&“With a fresh infusion of adventure, danger, and personal growth. . . .[Anderson brings] a story that is both a joy to read and fodder for reflection. . . . [and] it has inspired me to new hopes for my birding.&”—Birding Magazine, American Birding AssociationAt a personal and professional crossroads, a man resets his life and finds sobriety, love, and 618 bird species, cycling his way to a very Big Year.In Birding Under the Influence, Dorian Anderson, a neuroscience researcher on a pressure-filled life trajectory, walks away from the world of elite institutions, research labs, and academic publishing. In doing so, he falls in love and discovers he has freed himself to embrace his lifelong passion for birding.A North American Big Year—a continent-spanning adventure in which a birder attempts to see as many species as possible in twelve months—is a massive undertaking under any circumstances. But doing it on a bike while maintaining sobriety? That&’s next level.As Dorian pedals across the country, describing the birds he sees, he confronts the challenges of long-distance cycling: treacherous weather, punctured tires, speeding cars, and injury. He encounters eccentric characters, blistering blacktop, dreary hotel rooms, snarling dogs, and an endless sea of smoking tailpipes. He also confronts his past struggles with alcohol, drugs, and risky behaviors that began in high school and followed him into adulthood.Birding Under the Influence is a candid, honest look at Dorian&’s double life of academic accomplishment and addiction. While his journey to recovery is simultaneously poignant and inspiring, it is ultimately his love of birds and nature that provides the scaffolding to build a new and radically different life.&“Candid and often moving reflections . . . make for absorbing reading. . . . [This is] a memoir of a journey that was more than just a chase after numbers.&”—Booklist (starred)&“An uplifting and hopeful memoir and social commentary about healing . . . [Birding Under the Influence] is an interesting exploration of the extreme ends that one man went to to overcome his twin demons of alcohol and drug addiction by redirecting his addictive Type-A personality into more healthy pursuits. . . . [It also] provide[s] an interesting glimpse into regional American subcultures.&”—Forbes
Birding Without Borders: An Obsession, a Quest, and the Biggest Year in the World
by Noah StryckerThe story of how the associate editor of Birding magazine set himself a lofty goal: to become the first person to see half the world&’s birds in one year.In 2015, for 365 days, with a backpack, binoculars, and a series of one-way tickets, Noah Strycker traveled across forty-one countries and all seven continents, eventually spotting 6,042 species—by far the biggest birding year on record. This is no travelogue or glorified checklist. Noah ventures deep into a world of chronic sleep deprivation, airline snafus, breakdowns, mudslides, floods, war zones, ecologic devastation, conservation triumphs, common and iconic species, and scores of passionate bird lovers around the globe. By pursuing the freest creatures on the planet, he gains a unique perspective on the world they share with us—and offers a hopeful message that even as many birds face an uncertain future, more people than ever are working to protect them.&“Birding Without Borders is light-hearted and filled with stories of exotic birds, risky adventures, and colorful birding companions.&”—New York Times Book Review &“Highly recommended for anyone interested in travel, natural history, and adventure.&”—Library Journal &“Even readers who wouldn&’t know a marvellous spatuletail from a southern ground hornbill will be awed by Strycker&’s achievement and appreciate the passion with which he pursues his interest.&”—Publishers Weekly
Birdlore: The Iridescent Life of Florence Merriam Bailey
by Jess KeatingFrom the author of Shark Lady comes the true story of Florence Merriam Bailey, the groundbreaking scientist who inspired a nation to take up bird-watching and worked tirelessly to protect our feathered friends.Before Florence, there was no such thing as "bird-watching". Bright plumes on lady's hats were all the rage, but no one was climbing trees or wading through marsh-grass to spot the birds they came from. Even scientists studied birds in labs instead of outside in their natural habitat.But Florence changed all that. A bird-lover since childhood, she wanted to show the world what made these creatures special. She wanted everyone to care as much as she did, and so she taught classes, printed pamphlets, and eventually began leading bird walks so people could see it with their own eyes. Over time, they did see! With hard work and perseverence, Florence changed the way we look at birds, inspiring millions to follow in her footsteps on bird walks of their own.With gorgeous illustrations by award-winning artist Devon Holzwarth (Listen), Florence's story takes flight in soaring spreads that capture her inquisitive spirit and passionate advocacy for our feathered friends, a legacy that lives on to this day.
BirdNote: Chirps, Quirks, And Stories Of 100 Birds From The Popular Public Radio Show
by BirdNote Ellen Blackstone Emily PooleOne hundred entertaining and informative essays from the popular public radio feature program, BirdNote, accompanied by original illustrations throughout--an illuminating volume for bird and nature lovers across North America.Here are the best stories about our avian friends from the public radio show BirdNote, each brief essay illuminating the life, habits, or songs of a particular bird. Why do geese fly in a V-formation? Why are worms so good for you--if you're a robin? Which bird calls, "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?" From wrens that nest in cactuses to gulls that have a strange red dot on their bills--these digestible and fascinating bird stories are a delightful window to the winged world. A foreword by John W. Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and an introduction by Gordon Orians, professor emeritus of biology at the University of Washington, are also included. Contains web links to the audio version of each story, with bird sounds.