What's That Bird?: Getting to Know the Birds Around You

by Joseph Choiniere, Claire Mowbray Golding, Tom Vezo (Photographer), James Robins (Illustrator)

Overview

This colorful guide introduces beginning birders of all ages to the wonders of the avian world. With profiles of 30 North American birds detailing their color, size, habitat, and calls, you’ll quickly learn to identify the birds in your neighborhood. Additional sections on bird anatomy and behavior, ideas for keeping a bird-watching journal, instructions for building a nesting box, and tips for where to find specific species will have you exploring all the joys of birding in no time.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781580175548
Publisher:	Storey Books
Publication date:	01/15/2005
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	265,169
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x (h) x 0.38(d)
Lexile:	IG1010L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Joseph Choiniere is the co-author of What's That Bird? He has worked for the Mass Audubon Society for more than 25 years, currently as the director of the 1,200-acre Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary. He teaches classes at universities and colleges, as well as workshops for elementary and high school groups. He lives in Princeton, Massachusetts.

Claire Mowbray Golding is vice president and managing director for a small educational publishing company in central Massachusetts. She lives in Princeton, Massachusetts.

Editorial Reviews

…a beautifully illustrated and informative beginners guide to backyard bird watching, appropriate for both school children and adults.” –ForeWord

“…an informed and informative book that the entire family can enjoy.” –Bookwatch

“Easy to use, loaded with digestible information and full of spectacular photography.” –San Diego Union Tribune

“Choiniere…and Golding have put heart and soul into this beautifully conceived and produced guide.” –San Diego Union Tribune

“…not only a helpful field guide, but also includes read-aloud fast facts…” –Star Tribune

“…a delightful beginner's guide to backyard bird watching.” –Rural Heritage

“…lively, easy to understand language…” – Science News

“This book is an attractive tool for an adult teaching a child about nature in general and birding in particular.” – Science News

From the Publisher

I was quickly won over by this charming, informative book. Filled with clear descriptions of the science of birding, this beautifully designed and illustrated volume also includes numerous sidebars and captions that offer intriguing bits of information on some of the 9,500--10,000 species of birds the authors tell us exist on our planet. For example, we find out that a bird's knees are actually tucked under its feathers, and what we see that looks like a backwards knee is actually a part of the bird's foot that doesn't touch the ground, because birds walk on their toes! The center part of the book contains detailed descriptions of 60 birds, chosen from the 800 species that live in North America, as well as advice on how to watch and identify them. A chapter on biodiversity, migration, and endangered species is offered, along with a fun chapter on "Birds and You," which includes advice on how to make your home--whether backyard, balcony, or window--safe and inviting for birds. Instructions on how to construct a nesting box and a bird arbor are also included. Another entertaining section features "incredible" birds that are extreme in some way: the tallest and heaviest trumpeter swans, best dancer cranes, most talkative magpies, and the least-likely-to-succeed eagles, among many others. The annotated resource list suggests books (grouped by age appropriateness), CDs, videos, DVDs, and websites, as well as providing addresses for the National Audubon Society and the American Birding Association, and there's a helpful quiz at the end. Ultimately, this is an educational book that is a lot of fun to read and use as a guide. KLIATT Codes: JSA*--Exceptional book, recommended for junior andsenior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2005, Workman, 117p. illus. index., Ages 12 to adult.
—Rhonda Cooper

KLIATT