Best of
Birds

2011

The Crossley ID Guide: Eastern Birds


Richard Crossley - 2011
    Whether you are a beginner, expert, or anywhere in between, The Crossley ID Guide will vastly improve your ability to identify birds.Unlike other guides, which provide isolated individual photographs or illustrations, this is the first book to feature large, lifelike scenes for each species. These scenes--640 in all--are composed from more than 10,000 of the author's images showing birds in a wide range of views--near and far, from different angles, in various plumages and behaviors, including flight, and in the habitat in which they live. These beautiful compositions show how a bird's appearance changes with distance, and give equal emphasis to characteristics experts use to identify birds: size, structure and shape, behavior, probability, and color. This is the first book to convey all of these features visually--in a single image--and to reinforce them with accurate, concise text. Each scene provides a wealth of detailed visual information that invites and rewards careful study, but the most important identification features can be grasped instantly by anyone.By making identification easier, more accurate, and more fun than ever before, The Crossley ID Guide will completely redefine how its users look at birds. Essential for all birders, it also promises to make new birders of many people who have despaired of using traditional guides.Revolutionary. This book changes field guide design to make you a better birderA picture says a thousand words. The most comprehensive guide: 640 stunning scenes created from 10,000 of the author's photographsReality birding. Lifelike in-focus scenes show birds in their habitats, from near and far, and in all plumages and behaviorsTeaching and reference. The first book to accurately portray all the key identification characteristics: size, shape, behavior, probability, and colorPractice makes perfect. An interactive learning experience to sharpen and test field identification skillsBird like the experts. The first book to simplify birding and help you understand how to bird like the best

National Geographic Backyard Guide to the Birds of North America


Jonathan Alderfer - 2011
    It features 150 of the most common and interesting birds likely to be observed at backyard feeders, nesting nearby or just migrating through. An indispensable visual index of all 150 species appears on the inside front and back laminated covers, making identification a snap. Beginning with Backyard Basics, an easy-to-follow, richly illustrated presentation on observing and identifying birds-with tips on attracting and feeding your favorite birds, birdhouses, and bird-friendly landscapes to entice nesting-the book is full of National Geographic's iconic field guide images and maps. Core species on everyone's list-such as robins, woodpeckers, bluebirds and chickadees-are featured in two-page spreads including practical tips with additional imagery. Sidebars captivate with interesting and little known facts.

Birds of the Indian Subcontinent


Richard Grimmett - 2011
    

Birdwatching With Your Eyes Closed: An Introduction to Birdsong


Simon Barnes - 2011
    

Nests: Fifty Nests and the Birds that Built Them


Sharon Beals - 2011
    Drawn from the collections of the California Academy of Sciences, the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at UC Berkeley, and the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, these birds' nests from around the world offer astonishing insight into the intricate detail wrought by nature's most fastidious architects. Lovely images of nests and eggs are set against rich black backgrounds, and are accompanied by fascinating and informative portraits—conveyed through words and illustrations—of the birds that built them. A beautiful volume, Nests is the perfect gift for birders, bird lovers, and anyone captivated by the fleeting and fascinating splendor of the natural world.

Hawks at a Distance: Identification of Migrant Raptors


Jerry Liguori - 2011
    Jerry Liguori, a leading expert on North American raptors, factors in new information and approaches for identifying twenty-nine species of raptor in various lighting situations and settings. The field guide's nineteen full-color portraits, 558 color photos, and 896 black-and-white images portray shapes and plumages for each species from all angles. Useful flight identification criteria are provided and the accompanying text discusses all aspects of in-flight hawk identification, including flight style and behavior. Concentrating on features that are genuinely observable at a distance, this concise and practical field guide is ideal for any aspiring or experienced hawk enthusiast.The first guide to focus on distant raptors as they are viewed in the fieldNew information and approaches for identifying distant raptorsIllustrates twenty-nine species in various lighting situations and settings558 color photos and 896 black-and-white images depicting plumage and shape characteristicsAll aspects of in-flight hawk identification, including flight style and behavior

Sing


Joe Raposo - 2011
    Sing out loud, sing out strong."So begins a song first made popular on Sesame Street, then interpreted by singers of every style, from Gloria Estefan to the Dixie Chicks to R.E.M., as well as famous personalities such as Conan O'Brien, Katie Couric, Nathan Lane, and Liam Neeson.Now, bestselling children's book illustrator Tom Lichtenheld has put a visual story to this timeless and universal song that celebrates perseverence, self-expression, and the power of music to help each of us find our voice.A CD with three songs is included: “Sing!” “Somebody Come and Play,” and “One of These Things.” Music by Joe Raposo. Songs performed by Becca Kauffman with The Midnight Sun Ensemble.See the backstory behind the book at http://bit.ly/119S4u6

For the Birds: The Life of Roger Tory Peterson


Peggy Thomas - 2011
    Some kids called him "Professor Nuts Peterson" because of his dedication to his craft; yet he went on to create the immensely popular Peterson Guides, which have sold more than seven million copies, and which birders everywhere appreciate for their simple text and exquisite illustrations. Working closely with the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown, New York, author Peggy Thomas and artist Laura Jacques have created a fascinating portrait of a global environmentalist with this very first children's biography of Peterson, a winner of the John Burroughs Nature Books for Young Readers Award.

Wild Hares and Hummingbirds: The Natural History of an English Village


Stephen Moss - 2011
    This watery wonderland is steeped in history: it is the land of King Arthur, where King Alfred burnt the cakes and where the last battle was fought on English soil. This ancient country parish, dating from before the Domesday Book, has been reclaimed from the sea over many centuries. Today the landscape bears witness to its eventful past, and is criss-crossed with watery ditches and broad droves, down which livestock was once taken to market. These are now home to a rich selection of resident and visiting wildlife: rooks and roe deer; sparrows and snowdrops; buzzards, badgers and butterflies. Amongst these natural wonders are the 'wild hares and hummingbirds' of the book's title: one of our most iconic mammals, the brown hare; and a scarce and spectacular visitor, the hummingbird hawk-moth. As the year unfolds, Stephen Moss creates an intimate account of the natural history of his parish. He witnesses the landscape as it passes from deep snow to spring blossom, through the heat haze of summer to the chill winds of autumn; from the first hazel catkins to the swallows returning from Africa; the sounds of the dawn chorus to the nocturnal mysteries of moths. But this is not simply the story of one small corner of the West Country; it also serves as a microcosm of Britain's wider countryside. At a time of uncertainty - as our landscape and wildlife face some of the greatest changes in recorded history - it reveals the plants and animals that will adapt and thrive, and those that may struggle, and even disappear from our lives. This is a very personal celebration of why the natural world matters to all of us, wherever we live. Wild Hares and Hummingbirds is nature-writing at its finest, expressed through the natural history of one very special place.

Birds, Beasts, and Bandits: 14 Days with Veerappan


Krupakar - 2011
    Veerappan responded in a soft voice: 'It has been many years since I killed elephants. But no one believes me if I say so.'

Vulture


Thom van Dooren - 2011
    But, as Thom van Dooren shows in this cultural and natural history, that dominant association leaves us with a very one-dimensional understanding of a group of actually rather fascinating and diverse creatures.Vulture offers an enlightening new history of this much-misunderstood bird. Vultures vary in type and size, and while some have a diet mainly of bone, others are actually almost completely vegetarian. Most interesting, despite its notorious  association  with death, the vulture very rarely, if ever, kills for itself. In different cultural mythologies, vultures play a role in disposing of the dead and officiating over human sacrifices, but they have often been viewed as courageous and noble creatures as well—believed to be indispensable in the containment of waste and disease and even to be world creators and divine mothers. Van Dooren explores these many histories, from some of the earliest-known Neolithic sites in which vultures are thought to have consumed the dead to contemporary efforts to reintroduce the bearded vulture into the Alps.Highlighting the rich diversity of vultures and the many ways in which people have understood and lived with them, Vulture invites a new appreciation and wonder for these incredible birds.

Birds of Arkansas Field Guide


Stan Tekiela - 2011
    There's no need to look through dozens of photos of birds that don't live in Arkansas. This book features 124 species of Arkansas birds, organized by color for ease of use. Do you see a yellow bird and don't know what it is? Go to the yellow section to find out. Fact-filled information, a compare feature, range maps and detailed photographs help to ensure that you positively identify the birds that you see.

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Birds


Birdlife International - 2011
    Spectacular features on the most impressive birds, plus a huge catalogue that profiles nearly fifteen hundred different species makes this a must-have for every bird enthusiast.Published with Birdlife International, the world's leading avian authority.

Beautiful Chickens: Portraits of Champion Breeds


Christie Aschwanden - 2011
    Portraits of forty champion hens and cocks, with descriptions of each breed, covering their origins, physical attributes, and uses.

Birds of Sri Lanka


Deepal Warakagoda - 2011
    Detailed text highlights key identification criteria, along with accurate colour maps. Packed with spectacular and detailed plates by leading bird artists such as Alan Harris, Tim Worfolk and John Cox, Birds of Sri Lanka is the definitive identification tool for the visiting birdwatcher and another majestic addition to the Helm Field Guides series.

Hummingbirds: Facts and Folklore from the Americas


Jeanette Larson - 2011
    Since they are only found in the Americas, the myths and legends about this tiny bird originated from the peoples of North and South America. These native cultures wrote stories to offer explanations for the behavior and physical characteristics of this graceful species: Why does the hummingbird drink nectar? What accounts for its amazing flying abilities? Why is the hummingbird attracted to the color red?Jeannette Larson and Adrienne Yorinks have compiled facts and folklore about these intriguing fliers that will answer these questions and many more. Readers will also get a glimpse into the different cultures that have been transfixed for centuries by this bird, as well as learn many interesting scientific facts discovered by modern-day ornithologists. Adrienne’s bold and unique mixed-media quilts illustrate the hummingbird in nature and the mystery of these birds in ancient folklore.Substantial back matter includes an index, a glossary of terms, suggested further reading and websites, a bibliography, sources, resources, and a list of hummingbird sanctuaries.

Petrels, Albatrosses, and Storm-Petrels of North America: A Photographic Guide


Steve N.G. Howell - 2011
    Largely colored in shades of gray, black, and white, these enigmatic and fast-flying seabirds can be hard to differentiate, particularly from a moving boat. Useful worldwide, not just in North America, this photographic guide is based on unrivaled field experience and combines insightful text and hundreds of full-color images to help you identify these remarkable birds.The first book of its kind, this guide features an introduction that explains ocean habitats and the latest developments in taxonomy. Detailed species accounts describe key identification features such as flight manner, plumage variation related to age and molt, seasonal occurrence patterns, and migration routes. Species accounts are arranged into groups helpful for field identification, and an overview of unique identification challenges is provided for each group. The guide also includes distribution maps for regularly occurring species as well as a bibliography, glossary, and appendixes.The first state-of-the-art photographic guide to these enigmatic seabirdsIncludes hundreds of full-color photos throughoutFeatures detailed species accounts that describe flight, plumage, distribution, and moreProvides overviews of ocean habitats, taxonomy, and conservationOffers tips on how to observe and identify birds at sea

About Hummingbirds: A Guide for Children


Cathryn Sill - 2011
    From the celebrated team of Cathryn and John Sill, creators of the About... and About Habitats series.In this addition to the acclaimed About... series, former educator and author Cathryn Sill uses simple, easy-to-understand language to teach children what hummingbirds are, how they look, how they move, what they eat, and where they live.With beautifully detailed, realistic paintings, noted wildlife illustrator John Sill introduces readers to the many varieties of hummingbirds--from the smallest type (the Bee Hummingbird of Cuba) to the largest (the Giant Hummingbirds of the Andes Mountains in South America). An afterword inspires further learning.About Hummingbirds is part of the award-winning About... series, perfect for casual exploration as well as for early childhood and elementary units in science and animal life.Also available from Cathryn and John Sill: About BirdsAbout ParrotsAbout RaptorsAbout SeabirdsAbout WoodpeckersAwards: Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 ―National Science Teacher Association, Children's Book CouncilBest Children's Books of the Year ―Bank Street College of EducationCook Prize (Finalist) ―Bank Street College of Education Children's Book CommitteeNSTA Recommends ―National Science Teachers AssociationSociety of School Librarians International Book Awards (Honor Book, Science K-6) ―Society of School Librarians InternationalDelaware Diamonds (Nominee, Grades K-2) ―Diamond State Reading AssociationMaryland Blue Crab Young Readers Award (Honor Book, Beginning Non-Fiction) ―Maryland Library AssociationNorth Carolina Author Awards (AAUW Award for Juvenile Literature) ―North Carolina Literary and Historical AssociationChildren's Gallery Award (Nominee) ―National Christian School Association

Raptors of the West: Captured in Photographs


Kate Davis - 2011
    From spectacular Bald Eagles to tiny Elf Owls, raptors awe us. In Raptors of the West: Captured in Photographs, renowned raptor advocate and environmental educator Kate Davis and award-winning photographers Rob Palmer and Nick Dunlop open a window into the lives of these spectacular birds of prey. These three photographers have devoted incredible amounts of time to capture some of the most breathtaking images of raptors imaginable.Unlike other bird books, Raptors of the West: Captured in Photographs arranges the birds by habitat type and region where each bird spends the breeding season. Mostly, though, this book is about the photographs�more than 400 of them. From the dramatic cover image of two eagles tussling, to the comical photo of two Burrowing Owl siblings playing, to the amazing shot of a Peregrine Falcon attacking a huge cloud of starlings, bird lovers will swoon. This is a remarkable book.

Living Beaches of Georgia and the Carolinas


Blair E. Witherington - 2011
    These beaches offer more than a sandy stroll amidst stunning scenery—they are alive! As ever-changing ribbons of sand, these beaches foster unique life-forms and accept beguiling castaways from a vast marine wilderness. Mysteries abound. What is this odd creature? Why does the beach look this way? How did this strange item get here? Living Beaches of Georgia and the Carolinas satisfies a beachcomber’s curiosity within a comprehensive yet easily browsed guide covering beach processes, plants, animals, minerals, and manmade objects. The guide is written in a familiar style and is illustrated with distribution maps and over a thousand color photos.

Pickles the Parrot Returns: My Continued Adventures with a Bird Brain


Georgi Abbott - 2011
    You'll laugh out loud at the situations that arise with Pickles and his human companions. In this book, the writer has also given Pickles a voice to muse about the world. Pickles is charming playing the role of philosopher and comedian. Follow Pickles on Facebook: https: //www.facebook.com/georgiabbotts.pickle... http: //www.picklestheparrot.com/

The Atlas of Birds: Diversity, Behavior, and Conservation


Mike Unwin - 2011
    Full-color maps show where birds are found, both by country and terrain, and reveal how an astounding variety of behavioral adaptations--from flight and feeding to nest building and song--have enabled them to thrive in virtually every habitat on Earth. Maps of individual journeys and global flyways chart the amazing phenomenon of bird migration, while bird classification is explained using maps for each order and many key families.Conservation provides a strong focus throughout, with maps illustrating where and why birds are most under threat, and what is being done to protect them. Separate sections examine key factors influencing their distribution and endangering their survival, from deforestation and climate change to invasive species and the cage-bird trade. Bird groups most affected, such as island endemics, are highlighted, while a fascinating chapter explores the complex historical relationship between birds and humans, with maps and data for everything from poultry farming to birdwatching.The maps are supported by an authoritative text that uses the very latest data and case studies from BirdLife International. Packed with sumptuous photos, original diagrams, and imaginative graphics that bring the numbers to life, this book is a stunning and timely insight into perhaps the most colorful and intriguing group of organisms on our planet.The premier illustrated atlas of bird diversity, behavior, and conservationFeatures full-color maps, photos, and diagramsCovers bird evolution, classification, and behaviorDescribes the complex relationship between birds and their habitatsExplores the impact of human activities on species survivalIllustrates where and why birds are most under threat--and how to protect them

Drawing and Painting Birds


Tim Wootton - 2011
    It advises on painting in the field, using photographs, and working in the studio; describes how to paint plumage and birds in flight; and demonstrates how to compose a painting with emphasis on the birds' habitat. Thirty leading artists give their insights into painting birds, along with illustrations of their work, including John Busby—the author of Drawing Birds—Ontario's Robert Bateman, and Charles Tunnicliffe.

Antarctic Wildlife: A Visitor's Guide


James Lowen - 2011
    This easy-to-use photographic field guide enables visitors to this unique region of the world--newcomer and seasoned traveler alike--to identify with confidence the penguins, whales, seals, seabirds, and other stunning wildlife they encounter on their journey. Full-color photographs show typical views of each species of bird or marine mammal, together with the terrestrial plants likely to be seen. Detailed species accounts describe key identification features, give tips on where to look, and highlight interesting facts. This one-of-a-kind guide also includes introductory chapters that cover the wildlife of each Antarctic environment by season, as well as information on tourism and Antarctic cruising that will help visitors get the most from their trip.Antarctic Wildlife is a must-have photographic guide for travelers taking the standard cruise from Ushuaia, Argentina, to the great white continent, and for anyone interested in the diverse wildlife found in this remote part of the world.Covers the wildlife of the Antarctic Peninsula, Drake Passage, and Beagle ChannelFeatures full-color photographs throughoutDescribes key identification features and gives tips on where to lookIncludes an introduction to Antarctic environments and information on Antarctic cruising

Birds of Louisiana & Mississippi Field Guide


Stan Tekiela - 2011
    There's no need to look through dozens of photos of birds that don't live in these states. This book features 140 species of Louisiana and Mississippi birds, organized by color for ease of use. Do you see a yellow bird and don't know what it is? Go to the yellow section to find out. Fact-filled information, a compare feature, range maps and detailed photographs help to ensure that you positively identify the birds that you see.

Avian Architecture: How Birds Design, Engineer & Build


Peter Goodfellow - 2011
    Avian Architecture describes how birds design, engineer, and build their nests, deconstructing all types of nests found around the world using architectural blueprints and detailed descriptions of the construction processes and engineering techniques birds use. This spectacularly illustrated book features 300 full-color images and more than 35 case studies that profile key species worldwide. Each chapter covers a different type of nest, from tunnel nests and mound nests to floating nests, hanging nests, woven nests, and even multiple-nest avian cities. Other kinds of avian construction--such as bowers and harvest wells--are also featured.Avian Architecture includes intricate step-by-step sequences, visual spreads on nest-building materials and methods, and insightful commentary by a leading expert.Illustrates how birds around the world design, engineer, and build their nestsFeatures architectural blueprints, step-by-step sequences, visual spreads on nest-building materials and methods, and expert commentaryIncludes 300 full-color imagesCovers more than 100 bird species worldwide

The Lonely Parrot


Lisa Kelley - 2011
    JoJo was a very happy parrot who lived with Sammy, his best friend. But after a while, Sammy grew up and JoJo became very lonely and sometimes naughty. JoJo desperately wanted a new best friend. But most of all, he just wanted to be loved. The Lonely Parrot won a 2012 IPPY Award for Best Children’s Illustrated Ebook. Want to meet the real JoJo? Visit his website at www.thelonelyparrot.net or “Like” him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheLonelyParrot.

Picturing Tolkien: Essays on Peter Jackson's the Lord of the Rings Film Trilogy


Janice M. Bogstad - 2011
    Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002) and The Return of the King (2003). Part One of the collection, Techniques of Structure and Story, compares and contrasts the organizational principles of the books and films. Part Two, Techniques of Character and Culture, focuses on the methods used to transform the characters and settings of Tolkien's narrative into the personalities and places visualized on screen. Each of the sixteen essays includes extensive notes and a separate bibliography. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Murmurations: An Anthology of Uncanny Stories about Birds


Nicholas RoyleRussell Hoban - 2011
    Birds are all around us; they could not be more familiar. And yet at the same time they are alien, unheimlich – uncanny. Award-winning editor Nicholas Royle brings together previously published stories by Daphne du Maurier, Anna Kavan, Russell Hoban and others with brand-new tales by contemporary writers including Bill Broady, Adam Marek, Regi Claire, Mark Valentine, Reggie Oliver, R.B. Russel, and many more.With a foreword by Angelica Michelis, senior lecturer in English at Manchester Metropolitan University.Swallows Sleep in Winter – Adam Marek For the True Anatomy – Claire Massey Sliding off the World – Bruce Gilbert The Gannets – Anna Kavan Fight or Flight – Emma Jane Unsworth Birds of Prey – Joel Lane The Egg – Alison Moore The Raven – Russell Hoban The Rhododendron Canopy – Elizabeth Stott Huginn and Muninn – Tom Fletcher When the Red, Red Robin – Regi Claire A Nestling – Jack Trevor Story Barren Clough – Neil Campbell Shrike – David Rose The Candling – Deborah Kermode A Revelation of Cormorants – Mark Valentine The Brids – Bill Broady Rarely Visits Gardens – Juliet West All Our Dead Heavens – Conrad Williams Tsipporah – Adèle Geras Dead Bird – Socrates Adams-Florou The Beautiful Room – RB Russell Gulls – Nicholas Royle Snow – Marc Werner Flight of Fancy – GA Pickin The Wounded Bird – Michael Kelly Corbeaux Bay – Geeta Roopnarine Husks – Stephen Bacon Painful Hard Ectoplasm – Laura Ellen Joyce The Birds – Daphne du MaurierContributors’ royalties and editor’s fee to be donated to the RSPB.

Birds of Prey of the West Field Guide


Stan Tekiela - 2011
    Organized for efficient use, the book offers fact-filled information that's accessible for beginners but informative for more experienced birders. Stunning photos, naturalist information, interesting gee-whiz facts and a Quick-Compare section help to make watching raptors more enjoyable, informative and productive.

The Joy of Birding: A Beginner's Guide (The Joy of Series)


Kate Rowinski - 2011
    No matter where you live, you have the joy of hearing and seeing birds. This easy-to-use, full-color guide will provide you with the answers. Here you’ll learn how to identify different bird species by observing their body-parts, understand birds’ behavior and habits, get to know the birds around the home or a vacation spot, attract and make a good home for these new feathered friends, and much more! Designed especially for the home birdwatcher, but with information on destination vacations, this book teaches, “If you’re prepared to see them, they will come!”

Nowhere Else on Earth: Standing Tall for the Great Bear Rainforest


Caitlyn Vernon - 2011
    Environmental activist Caitlyn Vernon guides young readers through a forest of information, sharing her personal stories, her knowledge and her concern for this beautiful place. Full of breathtaking photographs and suggestions for ways to preserve this unique ecosystem, Nowhere Else on Earth is a timely and inspiring reminder that we need to stand up for our wild places before they are gone.Visit http: //www.greatbearrainforest.ca to find teacher and student resources, view the online photo gallery, or read a sample chapter from the book. To access the free teacher's guide for Nowhere Else on Earth, click here: http: //orcabook.com/nowhereelseonearth/guide....

Advanced Bird Id Handbook: The Western Palearctic


NilsVan Duivendijk - 2011
    It includes the key characters of each recognizable plumage, including make, female, immature, juvenile, all subspecies and other variations.

Earthflight: Breathtaking Photographs from a Bird's-Eye View of the World


John Downer - 2011
    Eagle followed, for which Downer used a smaller video camera with an onboard transmitter to film a raptor's flight over the Alps. Supernatural continued the pioneering work, using a flock of greylag geese. Flock leader Buff was trained to carry a harness holding an even tinier camera, the "Goosecam," which captured amazing views from inside the flock. EarthFlight , Downer's latest film project, is a six-part series. It uses spycams, microlights, hang-gliders, miniature helicopters and wirecams to give viewers a privileged perspective of birds in flight. Whether soaring 10,000 feet high over the Sahara or skimming yards over the Great Wall of China, EarthFlight the film allows viewers to take part in the miracle of flight.Every page shows us what the birds see--winding shorelines, bustling cities, sunsets and storms, mountains, canyons and roiling seas--and the animals they encounter: pelicans diving for fish, a tiger drinking from a stream, migrating reindeer, dolphins playing, and in the desolation of the desert, a nomadic family. The book closes with a "Making of" chapter. EarthFlight truly is a bird's eye view, a pioneering work of genius and a memorable journey around the world like no other.

Olivia's Birds: Saving the Gulf


Olivia Bouler - 2011
    Devastated by the disaster and eager to do her part, Olivia wrote a letter to Audubon, “11 years old and willing to help” offering her own bird paintings to raise contributions for Gulf recovery efforts. The idea took flight, and Olivia proceeded to send out over 500 paintings, many of which are captured in this lavish picture book that recaps her valiant campaign to save birds affected by the spill.Written in her own words, this unique introduction to backyard and endangered birds features Olivia's hand-drawn illustrations, bird facts, and full-color photos celebrating Olivia's campaign. Olivia's Birdssupports Audubon's conservation mission, including Gulf Coast cleanup efforts and is printed on FSC eco-friendly paper. A 2012 Parents' Choice Gold Awards winner!

Thunder Birds: Nature's Flying Predators


Jim Arnosky - 2011
    Acclaimed naturalist and illustrator Jim Arnosky helps birds and imaginations take glorious flight in this breathtaking nonfiction picture book with six giant gatefolds.Arnosky will draw out kids' inner explorer as he explains why there are no feathers on a vulture's head, which bird is the deep-diving champ, what makes an owls's wings perfectly silent in flight, and much more.Readers can use this gorgeously illustrated book to bring the wilderness right into their rooms-or as a guide on their next expedition.

Remarkable Woodpeckers: Incredible Images and Characteristics


Stan Tekiela - 2011
    For 10 years he traveled the country, studying and photographing various woodpecker species. He documented every aspect of their lives, from egg to adult. The result is an incredible portrayal of woodpeckers in one unforgettable book. From their striking plumage to their industrious method of getting food, every aspect of their lives will help you develop an appreciation for these wondrous birds.

Icelandic Bird Guide: Appearance, Way of Life, Habitat


J.O. Hilmarsson - 2011
    It covers all Icelandic breeding birds and regular visitors in detail and also describes numerous annual vagrants - more than 160 species in total.

Baby Basics My First Words


Roger Priddy - 2011
    Inside, there are clear, vivid photographs of familiar objects to hold baby's attention, each with an easy-to-read label. By pointing to each picture and reading out the label, you can help your little one to name and recognise things they will find in their everyday environment. A big format, sturdy board book, with a soft padded cover that little hands will love to hold, My First Words is an essential addition to your child's first library.

Capturing the Essence: Techniques for Bird Artists


William Thomas Cooper - 2011
    Cooper explores and demonstrates all aspects of drawing and painting birds. Renowned for his gorgeous and accurate wildlife renderings, Cooper here explains in detail how to create a true impression of a bird's appearance. The author describes his own experiences among birds in the wild, discusses bird anatomy, and lays out the essential principles of realistic painting. He guides both seasoned artists and enthusiastic beginners through all the techniques and processes involved in depicting birds anywhere in the world. In the first part of the book, Cooper covers materials, bird anatomy, methods of working from captive birds (in zoos, for example), and methods for working in the field. He places special emphasis on the artist's understanding of the subject and how this knowledge can be transformed into drawings and paintings. The second part of the book deals with watercolors, acrylics, and oil paints, explaining for each medium the step-by-step processes leading from beginning sketches to finished work.

Hummingbirds and Butterflies


Bill Thompson III - 2011
    This second collaboration between the Peterson Field Guide series and Bird Watcher’s Digest includes tips on how to attract hummingbirds and butterflies to backyards—and how to identify them once they’ve arrived. Bill Thompson III and Connie Toops have decades of firsthand experience and have written the book in a fun, lighthearted style, providing both amateur and veteran nature watchers with need-to-know information, including where hummingbirds and butterflies live, what they eat, and the best garden plants to attract them. The species profiles of the 15 most common hummingbirds and 40 most common butterflies serve as a field guide, showing ranges, identifying marks, and preferred habitats. Full-color photographs and detailed drawings make attracting, identifying, and feeding these colorful creatures a snap.

Diary of a Pet Turkey


Joanne Ingis - 2011
    Joanne Ingis takes readers on an unbelievable journey, from the hatching of the egg, to the naming of the turkey, to its incorporation into the family's daily life. Young readers will love the story of a turkey being cared for rather than eaten at a holiday dinner! A perfect Thanksgiving gift that is sure to appeal throughout the year.

Birds of Melanesia: Bismarcks, Solomons, Vanuatu and New Caledonia


Guy Dutson - 2011
    This guide covers the species-rich Melanesia region of the south-west Pacific, from New Caledonia and the Solomons through the Bismarcks to Vanuatu, an increasingly popular destination for tours and travellers and one that has never before had complete field-guide coverage.

Backyard Birding: Using Natural Gardening to Attract Birds


Julie Zickefoose - 2011
    Let Backyard Birding show you how to lay out the welcome mat for your feathered friends by considering all of their needs, including year-round water, food, and shelter. Whether you’re looking to create a hummingbird garden, install a water feature, create perches for birds, or simply let a corner of your property run wild, you’ll find all of the inspiration and information you need here in Backyard Birding.

The Language of Crows


Michael Westerfield - 2011
    The book, which tells you just about everything you ever wanted to know about crows, is enlivened by dozens of actual observation reports that were submitted to the crows.net website over the years. Many of these reports illustrate seldom observed aspects of crow behavior, some of which are amazing and/or downright hilarious. In addition to major sections on crow language, life history and behavior, a large portion of The Language of Crows is devoted to human interactions with crows, ranging from creating backyard feeding stations to caring for “orphaned” and injured birds.The enclosed CD includes numerous examples of the vocalizations of free living crows with explanations of the circumstances under which each is used. The sound files are uncompressed and are suitable for acoustic analysis, although there is considerable environmental noise on some of the recordings.A great gift for the crow lover in your life!CONTENTS OF The Language of CrowsPreface Introduction 1. Who are the Crows 2. Nesting Season 3. Learning Season 4. Crows at Play 5. Roosting Season 6. Problem Crow Roosts 7. Crow Funerals 8. Befriending Wild Crows 9. Companion Crows 10.Language of Crows, Part One: The Background 11.Language of Crows, Part Two: Learning Crow 12.We Are Not Alone Books About Crows Contributors Acknowledgements About the Author

The Ultimate Guide to Birds of North America


Michael Vanner - 2011
    

Emperor Penguins


Deborah Lock - 2011
    Stunning photographs combine with lively illustrations with engaging, age-appropriate stories in DK Readers a multilevel reading program guaranteed to capture children's interest while developing their reading skills and general knowledge.With DK Readers, children will learn to read -- and read to learn!Learn all about the Emperor penguins as they take care of their young and brave the elements.