Best of
Birds

2015

Nerdy Birdy


Aaron Reynolds - 2015
    He has friends and discovers that there are far more nerdy birdies than cool birdies in the sky. And then another bird moves in....

A Nest Is Noisy


Dianna Hutts Aston - 2015
    From tiny bee hummingbird nests to orangutan nests high in the rainforest canopy, an incredible variety of nests are showcased here in all their splendor. Poetic in voice and elegant in design, this carefully researched book introduces children to a captivating array of nest facts and will spark the imaginations of children whether in a classroom reading circle or on a parent's lap.

Fastest Things on Wings: Rescuing Hummingbirds in Hollywood


Terry Masear - 2015
    When he arrived in rehab caked in road grime, he was so badly injured that he could barely perch. But Terry Masear, one of the busiest hummingbird rehabbers in the country, was determined to save this damaged bird, who seemed oddly familiar. During the four months that Terry worked with Gabriel, she took in 160 hummingbirds, from a miniature nestling rescued by a bulldog and a fledgling trapped inside a skydiving wind tunnel at Universal CityWalk, to Pepper, a female Anna’s injured on a film set. In their time together, Pepper and Gabriel form a special bond and, together, with Terry’s help, learn to fly again. Woven around Gabriel’s and Pepper’s stories are those of other colorful birds in this personal narrative filled with the science and magic surrounding these fascinating creatures.

The Sky Painter: Louis Fuertes, Bird Artist


Margarita Engle - 2015
    He takes care of injured birds and studies how they look and how they move. His father wants him to become an engineer, but Louis dreams of being a bird artist. To achieve this dream, he must practice, practice, practice. He learns from the art of John James Audubon. But as Louis grows up, he begins to draw and paint living, flying birds in their natural habitats.Louis Agassiz Fuertes (1874–1927) is now known as the father of modern bird art. He traveled with many scientific expeditions all over the world. His best-known works—paintings for habitat exhibits at the American Museum of Natural History in New York—are still beloved by visitors today. His art helped to encourage wildlife conservation, inspiring people to celebrate and protect the world of wings.Poems by Newbery Honor–winning author Margarita Engle and illustrations by Aliona Bereghici capture the life of Louis Fuertes and the deep sense of wonder that he felt when he painted the sky.

Cuckoo: Cheating by Nature


Nick Davies - 2015
    However, for naturalist and scientist Nick Davies, the call is an invitation to solve an enduring puzzle: how does the cuckoo get away with laying its eggs in the nests of other birds and tricking them into raising young cuckoos rather than their own offspring?Early observers who noticed a little warbler feeding a monstrously large cuckoo chick concluded the cuckoo's lack of parental care was the result of faulty design by the Creator, and that the hosts chose to help the poor cuckoo. These quaint views of bad design and benevolence were banished after Charles Darwin proposed that the cuckoo tricks the hosts in an evolutionary battle, where hosts evolve better defenses against cuckoos and cuckoos, in turn, evolve better trickery to outwit the hosts.For the last three decades, Davies has employed observation and field experiments to unravel the details of this evolutionary "arms race" between cuckoos and their hosts. Like a detective, Davies and his colleagues studied adult cuckoo behavior, cuckoo egg markings, and cuckoo chick begging calls to discover exactly how cuckoos trick their hosts. For birding and evolution aficionados, Cuckoo is a lyrical and scientifically satisfying exploration of one of nature's most astonishing and beautiful adaptations.

Gods of the Morning: A Bird's-Eye View of a Changing World


John Lister-Kaye - 2015
    John's affection, wisdom and lyricism sings off every page, bringing the natural world around him to life: from the rookery filled with twenty-nine nests and distinct bird calls to descriptions of the winter morning light, from the wood mice and the squirrels preparing for winter to tracking a fox's path through the snow. In particular it brings John's lifelong love of birds—his gods of the morning—to the fore.In the Highland glens, bird numbers plummet as their food supplies—natural fruits and every kind of creeping, crawling, slithering or flying bug—begin to disappear. Not just the swallows and house martins have vanished from round the houses. Gone are the insect snatching wheatears, whinchats and stonechats from the hills, and redstarts and flycatchers have fled the woods. Pied wagtails no longer flicker across the lawns and sandpipers and grey wagtails have deserted the river banks. Farmland and hedgerow species have vanished in the night: the linnets, yellowhammers, and all the warblers have decamped from the thickets.By the first frosts the hills will have emptied down to a few hardy stalwarts such as the golden eagles, the raven and the irrepressible hooded crows. Silence settles across the land. The few species that are left frequent a changed world. Soon only the buzzards and wood pigeons will hang on in the woods and the coniferous forests will be host to flocks of chaffinches, tits, siskins, and crossbills passing through.

The Bird Who Loved To MOO!


V. Moua - 2015
     This is a read aloud kids book that is written in an easy to read rhyme style and is ideal for children from preschool to little kids. "Baa!" said the sheep. "Oink!" said the pig. "Quack!" said a duck. "Neigh!" said a horse. "Moo!" said the little blue bird... Wait a minute...birds don't moo! Unless you're a quirky bird who stars as the main character of this illustrated children's ebook! This book tells the story of a little blue bird that decides he would rather "Moo" than "Tweet." Despite being told by other farm animals what he should be doing, this brave bird prefers to march to the beat of his own drum. By doing so, the little bird realizes that this is the key to his own happiness. The Bird Who Loved To MOO! is a beginner reader book that any child will love, especially at bedtime or as bedtime nursery rhymes. Read this children's book FREE as part of your PRIME or Kindle Unlimited membership Download this children's eBooks The Bird Who Loved To MOO! This kids book is part of the childrens books for kindle edition.

Living Bird: 100 Years of Listening to Nature


Gerrit Vyn - 2015
    Fitzpatrick, Lyanda Lynn Haupt, and Scott Weidensaul; 250 photographs. "The birds sang us back to life]]"from the Foreword An intimate yet stunning exploration of North American species, The Living Bird shares our joyful and complex relationship with birds. Through imagery and thoughtful essays, award-winning photographer Gerrit Vyn, along with leading naturalists and bird enthusiasts, takes readers on a visual and experiential journey, revealing the essence of the century-long work done by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Barbara Kingsolver remembers herself as a reluctant birder until, years later, she exalts in a special birding trip with her father. Scott Weidensaul dives into the secret lives of birds: How do flocks of birds manage to migrate thousands of miles? What determines who mates with whom? And what is the purpose of all those pretty feathers and glorious melodies? In her essay, Lyanda Lynn Haupt finds inspiration in our everyday birds as they connect us to the natural world. Director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology John W. Fitzpatrick considers the threats birds face today, and some of the failuresand successesof the past. Jared Diamond underscores that it is in our hands to preserve the living birds around us. For 100 years, the Ithaca, NY-based Cornell Lab of Ornithology has researched the lives of birds, educating the public and striving for protection of species and habitat. But the Lab does more than just studyit celebrates birds through song and image, and connects people to birds, opening thousands of eyes to the natural world around us.

Into the Nest: Intimate Views of the Courting, Parenting, and Family Lives of Familiar Birds


Marie Read - 2015
    You'll find images of the male and female, nest construction, the eggs, the parents on the nest, nestlings, feeding time, fledglings taking their first leap, and more. The featured birds include songbirds, urban birds such as raptors and pigeons, water birds, and owls, all of them common to North America.

You Nest Here with Me


Jane Yolen - 2015
    As a mother describes to her child how many species of birds nest, from pigeons on concrete ledges to owls in oak tree boles to swallows above barn doors. The soothing refrain of “you nest here with me” eases her little one and readers alike to slumber. Combining their poetic writing and their love of birding, mother and daughter Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple have written what is sure to become a bedtime classic.

Kaufman Field Guide to Nature of the Midwest


Kenn Kaufman - 2015
    Serious birders, botanists, and entomologists all have their specialized guides, but this book is the guide to “everything else"—the one guide to take when you go out for a walk. Wow, that’s a cool-looking mushroom. Wonder what it is. Hey, look at that weird insect.Birds, mammals, trees, wildflowers, insects, reptiles, amphibians, fish, spiders, mushrooms, ferns, grasses, even constellations overhead and rocks underfoot—it’s all here. With authoritative yet broad coverage, nontechnical language, and more than two thousand color photographs, this book is an essential reference for nature lovers living in or visiting Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa.

Happy


Emma Dodd - 2015
    Exploring the loving relationship between one little owl and his mommy, this beautifully designed, padded picture book is certain to become a bedtime favorite.

Bird Love


Leila Jeffreys - 2015
    From the exotic birds of her native Australia to those of North America, Jeffreys seems to delve into the very souls of these creatures with her stunning and evocative portraits. Jeffreys works with animal rescue and conservation groups to find subjects to photograph. Her love and compassion for her subjects is evident throughout, as she captures their personalities in her delightful portraits; Commander Skyring the Gang-Gang Cockatoo, Dexter the White-Bellied Sea Eagle, Mrs. Plume the Budgerigar, and many others are as whimsical as they are beautiful.

Inglorious: Conflict in the Uplands


Mark Avery - 2015
    It is also peculiarly British in that it is deeply rooted in the British class system. Grouse shooting is big business, backed by powerful, wealthy lobbying groups, with tendrils running throughout British society.Inglorious makes the case for banning driven grouse shooting. Mark Avery explains why he has, after many years of soul-searching, come down in favor of an outright ban. There is too much illegal killing of wildlife, such as Buzzards, Golden Eagles, and, most egregiously of all, Hen Harriers; and, as a land use, it wrecks the ecology of the hills. However, grouse shooting is economically important, and it is a great British tradition. All of these, and other points of view, are given fair and detailed treatment and analysis, with testimony from a range of people on opposite sides of the debate.The book also sets out Avery's campaign with Chris Packham to gain support for the proposal to ban grouse shooting, culminating in "Hen Harrier Day," timed to coincide with the "Glorious" 12th. Ever controversial, Mark Avery is guaranteed to stir up a debate about field sports, the countryside, and big business in a book that all conservationists will want to read.

Beautiful Birds


Jean Roussen - 2015
    From Warblers to Blue-tits and Kakapos to Owls, Roussen's playful, melodic poem is complemented beautifully by Walker's delicate illustrations.Jean Roussen is a Swiss French graphic designer and writer who dabbles in publishing from time to time.Emmanuelle Walker is an animation director and illustrator from Montreal, Quebec. As well as contributing to Nobrow magazine (Nobrow 8: Hysteria), she has worked with international animation studios across the world (Walt Disney Ltd., Sherbert and Nexus). She lives and works in London, England.

Firstborn


Tor Seidler - 2015
    Predators of the wild. Stalkers of the forests. Born into rankings and expected to live up to their roles. Blue Boy, the alpha male of his pack, is the largest wolf many have ever seen, and his dream is to have a firstborn son who will take after him in every way. But Lamar is not turning out the way his father hoped. Lamar likes to watch butterflies. He worries if his younger siblings fall behind in the hunt. He has little interest in peacocking in front of other clans. Blue Boy grows increasingly dismayed at Lamar’s lack of wolf instincts, and then Lamar does the intolerable: he becomes attracted to a coyote. While the other infractions can be begrudgingly tolerated, this one cannot, and the unity of the pack is in jeopardy. Lamar wants to make his family happy, but is doing what is expected of him worth losing the only true friend he’s ever had?Full of bite and beauty that will make you think of White Fang, then Ferdinand, this story cuts to the heart of what’s most important: being true to yourself, and being true to others.

Winter Birds


Lars Jonsson - 2015
    Extending these observations to a further 58 species common to the UK and his native Sweden, including corvids, tits and woodpeckers, he presents his painting of them and detailed observations about their plumage, song and behaviour.

A Chicken Followed Me Home!: Questions and Answers about a Familiar Fowl


Robin Page - 2015
    Along the way you’ll explore different breeds, discover different types of coops, and learn everything there is to know about chicken reproduction and hatching.Gorgeous, playful, and filled with facts, this engaging nonfiction picture book shines new light on a very familiar fowl!

Budgies for New Owners: Parakeet Care and Taming for the Complete Beginner


Sarah Yee - 2015
    Regularly priced at $4.99. Read on your PC, Mac, smart phone, tablet or Kindle device.Learn how to take proper care of your new pet parakeet for a healthy and happy feathered friend Here Is A Preview Of What You'll Learn in This Book... General facts on parakeets or budgies Is a budgie the right pet for you? How to select a budgie Identifying your budgie's age and gender How to welcome your new budgie home How to hand-tame your budgie How to teach your budgie to talk Diet and nutrition for budgies and much more! Download your copy today!Take action today and download this book for a limited time discount of only $2.99!

Parrots of the Wild: A Natural History of the World’s Most Captivating Birds


Catherine Ann Toft - 2015
    A must-have for anyone interested in these amazing creatures." —Irene M. Pepperberg, Professor at Harvard University and author of Alex & Me: How a Scientist and a Parrot Discovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence—and Formed a Deep Bond in the Process "If you like parrots then you'll love this book. From their evolutionary past to their modern-day love lives, Parrots of the Wild presents a suitably captivating read. I thought I knew a lot about parrots--until I delved into these pages." —Tony Juniper, author of What Has Nature Ever Done for Us? and Spix’s Macaw: The Race to Save the World’s Rarest BirdParrots of the Wild explores recent scientific discoveries and what they reveal about the lives of wild parrots, which are among the most intelligent and rarest of birds. Catherine A. Toft and Tim Wright discuss the evolutionary history of parrots and how this history affects perceptual and cognitive abilities, diet and foraging patterns, and mating and social behavior. The authors also discuss conservation status and the various ways different populations are adapting to a world that is rapidly changing. The book focuses on general patterns across the 350-odd species of parrots, as well as what can be learned from interesting exceptions to these generalities. A synthetic account of the diversity and ecology of wild parrots, this book distills knowledge from the authors’ own research and from their review of more than 2,400 published scientific studies. The book is enhanced by an array of illustrations, including nearly ninety color photos of wild parrots represented in their natural habitats. Parrots of the Wild melds scientific exploration with features directed at the parrot enthusiast to inform and delight a broad audience.

Peterson Reference Guide to Owls of North America and the Caribbean


Scott Weidensaul - 2015
    Owls are perhaps the most intriguing of all birds — instantly recognizable and endlessly fascinating. Whether viewed as symbols of wisdom or bad omens, these unusual birds have had a hold on human imagination for millennia.Heard more often than seen, many owls are best identified by vocalizations; this is the only owl guide to include access to a collection of recordings. It is also the only North American owl book to include the Caribbean, covering 39 species of owls, including many little-known tropical species.With detailed information about identification, calls, habitat, nesting, and behavior, this Reference Guide has the most up-to-date information about natural history, biology, ecology, migration, and conservation status. It is heavily illustrated with hundreds of color photos, and includes the most accurate color range maps ever presented, showing breeding, wintering, and migration routes.This is a definitive work, useful for serious birders and ornithologists but accessible for the non-expert.

Principles of Creature Design: Creating Imaginary Animals


Terryl Whitlatch - 2015
    Designing a creature that can survive in a world, interact with its own and other species, and go on to make an impact, is designing with intent the end goal of creature design and what you'll witness in this latest book from industry veteran Terryl Whitlach. With decades of experience in the entertainment industry, developing creatures for Star Wars: Episode 1 The Phantom Menace and Beowulf, among other projects, she offers valuable advice on how to develop otherworldly beings that are not just stunning in appearance, but also possess qualities that will endear viewers to them, or repulse, if that's the intent. For Whitlatch, there's no limit to what can be imagined with an open mind, though the journey may not always be an easy one. It's what she calls "chasing the unicorn." We will surely enjoy joining her on her journey, filled with creatures that are so vivid, whimsical, and elaborate that we will wish or wonder if they are real."

The Robin and the Sparrow: A Book of Children's Poems


Dennis Canfield - 2015
    I had all but forgotten the poems until I came across a printed copy in my scrapbook files. I found that I still enjoyed the poems, so I decided to publish them.In this edition, each of the eleven poems is accompanied by full-color illustration on the page opposite the poem. Also, there are two other editions of "The Robin and the Sparrow:" a coloring-book, and a Kindle book. I hope you will enjoy "The Robin and the Sparrow."

Prolonging Revenge Through Reincarnation


Matt Adrian - 2015
    Matt Adrian (The Mincing Mockingbird)'s third collection of minimalist avian portraits coupled with titles both surprising and whimsical.

Birdland


Leila Jeffreys - 2015
    The result is a stunning encounter with some of the world's most beautiful birds.On display are fine feathers of all types-eagles in burnished battle armor, fairy floss pink cockatoos, owls in spangled evening wear, and the finches and parrots who couldn't settle for just one or two colours, so chose the whole palette instead.Captured in a moment of stillness, Jeffreys's feathered sitters reveal qualities and features that invite human projection. Meet the sociable gang-gang cockatoos Commander and Mrs. Skyring, always up for a soiree; the dignified and kingly black kite Fenrick; and the adorably gamine Pepper, a southern boobook owl with impossibly huge eyes and irresistibly cute skinny legs.Sydney-based Jeffreys works with animal rescue and conservation groups to create her portraits. Her love and compassion for her subjects is evident throughout, and every bird has a story, which Jeffreys shares in a profile of nearly every species in the back of the book.There are working birds, like Soren, the wedge-tailed eagle, who patrols areas to prevent cockatoos from damaging buildings and lorikeets from overindulging on sugar on hotel balconies; Blue, the orange-bellied parrot who is part of a breeding program to increase the population of this critically endangered species; and Sirocco, New Zealand's kakapo conversation superstar.Birdland invites us to rediscover birds, to gaze unhindered, and to marvel at their many-splendored glory.

The Narrow Edge: A Tiny Bird, an Ancient Crab, and an Epic Journey


Deborah Cramer - 2015
    . . 'By the end of this journey I am more in awe than when I began.' Follow her graceful writing for the full 9,500 miles and you will share in that awe."—Laurence A. Marschall, Natural History"Her writing is vivid, novelistic . . . The resulting book is everything a natural history should be."— Living Bird Each year, red knots, sandpipers weighing no more than a coffee cup, fly a near-miraculous 19,000 miles from the tip of South America to their nesting grounds in the Arctic and back. Along the way, they double their weight by gorging on millions of tiny horseshoe crab eggs. Horseshoe crabs, ancient animals that come ashore but once a year, are vital to humans, too: their blue blood safeguards our health. Now, the rufa red knot, newly listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, will likely face extinction in the foreseeable future across its entire range, 40 states and 27 countries. The first United States bird listed because global warming imperils its existence, it will not be the last: the red knot is the twenty-first century’s “canary in the coal mine.” Logging thousands of miles following the knots, shivering with the birds out on the snowy tundra, tracking them down in bug-infested marshes, Cramer vividly portrays what’s at stake for millions of shorebirds and hundreds of millions of people living at the sea edge. The Narrow Edge offers an uplifting portrait of the tenacity of tiny birds and of the many people who, on the sea edge we all share, keep knots flying and offer them safe harbor. Winner of the 2016 National Academies Communications Award for best book that honors the best in science communications. Sponsored by the Keck Futures Initiative—a program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, with the support of the W.M. Keck Foundation

Spots in a Box


Helen Ward - 2015
    When the box arrives, the spots aren’t quite what he was expecting. After trying on big spots, small spots, striped spots, and even glow-in-the-dark spots, he finds a pattern that suits him perfectly in this touching, quirky celebration of individuality.

The Little Book of Garden Bird Songs


Andrea Pinnington - 2015
    However, being able to tell a blackbird from a blackcap or a goldfinch from a greenfinch is not that easy. That is where this enchanting introduction to twelve of the most common garden birds comes into its own. Keep it on your windowsill for the whole family to enjoy and see who becomes the bird-song expert first.

Fire Birds


Sneed B. Collard III - 2015
    Collard III challenges society's negative views toward natural forest fires. By focusing on the research of biologist Richard Hutto, Collard reveals the complex relationships between fire and thriving plant and animal communities. The book especially focuses on the heavy use of burned forests by dozens of bird species and debunks the idea that burned forests are worthless wastelands. Besides delivering a powerful environmental message, Fire Birds couldn't be more timely. With record numbers of acres burning every year, pressure to suppress wildfires and "salvage log" burned forests has never been greater. Stunning photographs and clear text deliver the message that recent fire policies have been backfiring badly.

Call of the Osprey


Dorothy Hinshaw Patent - 2015
    Today the osprey is studied to monitor the effects of mercury on living things. The osprey hunts in a very small area around its large nest and so scientists can pinpoint where mercury is coming from. In Missoula, Montana, the scientists have been following ospreys for six years, collecting data on the amount of contaminants found on their feathers and in their blood. The rivers and streams in Western Montana are still suffering effects from inappropriate mining activities performed more than a hundred years ago. This man-made pollution is still dangerous to people and to wildlife.

Birding for the Curious: The Easiest Way for Anyone to Explore the Incredible World of Birds


Nate Swick - 2015
    But do you always recognize what you see and hear? With this book, you'll get started. Birding for the Curious is a beginner course in birding for every nature and animal lover out there. With it, you'll learn what birding is all about, what birders do and how you can become one. You'll also learn how to:- Find more birds- Identify the birds you see- Attract more birds to your yard and feedersBirding for the Curious is the perfect gift for the nature-lover in your life, or an excellent introduction to birding for you. It won't be long before you can easily recognize and name the common birds in your area. With this book, you will enjoy nature at a whole new level.

Orison for a Curlew: In Search of a Bird on the Edge of Extinction


Horatio Clare - 2015
    A beautiful, fragile creature, it bred in Siberia and wintered in the Mediterranean basin, passing through the wetlands and estuaries of Italy, Greece, the Balkans and central Asia twice a year. Then, for mysterious reasons, the population crashed. The Slender-billed curlew Now exists as rumour, hope, unconfirmed sightings and speculation. The only certainty of its story is that it now stands at the brink of extinction.Birds are key environmental indicators - their health or hardship has a message for us about the planet, and our future. But we do not know what the fate of the Slender-billed curlew means for us, or what happened to it, or why.Orison for a Curlew is the story of a journey into that mystery. Following the bird's migratory path takes the award-winning writer Horatio Clare on an odyssey through a fractured Europe, to the edges of the land, and into the lives of the men and women who have fought to save and preserve the worlds to which the bird belonged.We travel with soldiers, beggars, students and green superheroes, including the father of ornithology in Greece, an extinction myth-buster in Romania, a Hungarian who invented the Danube delta biosphere reserve, and a birdwatcher who drew the preservation map of Bulgaria. This is a story of beauty, triumph,mystery and struggle, and a homage to a creature that may never be seen again.

Amazing Gracie (Skeeterville Senior Mysteries #1)


Teresa Quill - 2015
    The seniors of The Friendly Arms Apartments want him to stop, and assign Gracie Moore with the task since she's rather sweet on John. When John sees a dead body go by, the local Deputy doesn't believe him. The seniors ban together to solve the crime. Gracie Moore must step out of her shy self and save the day. This is the first of the Skeeterville Senior Mystery Novellas. Also, you'll meet Irene Weatherspoon, head of the resident board at the Friendly Arms Apartments, and her beau Wally Walters who will play roles in upcoming stories.

Don't Let the Pigeon Series 6 Books Collection Set by Mo Willems (Pigeon Drive the Bus, Stay Up Late, Ducking Gets a Cookie, Finds a Hot Dog, Needs a Bath & Wants a Puppy)


Mo Willems - 2015
    

Field Guide to the Neighborhood Birds of New York City


Leslie Day - 2015
    You might spot hawks and falcons nesting on skyscrapers or robins belting out songs from trees along the street.America's largest metropolis teems with birdlife in part because it sits within the great Atlantic flyway where migratory birds travel seasonally between north and south. The Big Apple's miles of coastline, magnificent parks, and millions of trees attract dozens of migrating species every year and are also home year-round to scores of resident birds.There is no better way to identify and learn about New York's birds than with this comprehensive field guide from New York City naturalist Leslie Day. Her book will quickly teach you what each species looks like, where they build their nests, what they eat, the sounds of their songs, what time of year they appear in the city, the shapes and colors of their eggs, and where in the five boroughs you can find them--which is often in the neighborhood you call home. The hundreds of stunning photographs by Beth Bergman and gorgeous illustrations by Trudy Smoke will help you identify the ninety avian species commonly seen in New York. Once you enter the world of the city's birds, life in the great metropolis will never look the same.

The Annihilation of Nature: Human Extinction of Birds and Mammals


Gerardo Ceballos - 2015
    In The Annihilation of Nature, three of today’s most distinguished conservationists tell the stories of the birds and mammals we have lost and those that are now on the road to extinction. These tragic tales, coupled with eighty-three color photographs from the world’s leading nature photographers, display the beauty and biodiversity that humans are squandering.Gerardo Ceballos, Anne H. Ehrlich, and Paul R. Ehrlich serve as witnesses in this trial of human neglect, where the charge is the massive and escalating assault on living things. Nature is being annihilated, not only because of the human population explosion, but also as a result of massive commercial endeavors and public apathy. Despite the well-intentioned work of conservation organizations and governments, the authors warn us that not enough is being done and time is short for the most vulnerable of the world’s wild birds and mammals. Thousands of populations have already disappeared, other populations are dwindling daily, and soon our descendants may live in a world containing but a minuscule fraction of the birds and mammals we know today.The Annihilation of Nature is a clarion call for engagement and action. These outspoken scientists urge everyone who cares about nature to become personally connected to the victims of our inadequate conservation efforts and demand that restoration replace destruction. Only then will we have any hope of preventing the worst-case scenario of the sixth mass extinction.

Charley Harper's Count the Birds


Zoe Burke - 2015
    

Pine and the Winter Sparrow


Rabiah York Lumbard - 2015
    Retold by award-winning author Alexis York Lumbard, this story invites readers to experience a world where trees and birds speak and interact with each other, and which shows us that no act of kindness and sharing goes unrewarded. Featuring beautiful paintings by multiple award-winning illustrator Beatriz Vidal, you will never look at pine trees in the same way again!"

Moo Bird


David Milgrim - 2015
    He feels like he doesn't belong. So Moo Bird goes off in search of where he DOES belong. Will Cow want to be his friend? At last, Moo Bird finds a friend.... Who will it be?

DK Eyewitness Books: The Amazon


Tom Jackson - 2015
    This uniquely beautiful illustrated guide dives into the beauty and diversity of the Amazon: the rain forest and the river; its flora, fauna, and life cycles; and the people who live in the region.

Ireland's Birds - Myths, Legends & Folklore


Niall Mac Coitir - 2015
    They have inspired poets and painters, and feature in many legends and place names. Here Niall Mac Coitir provides a comprehensive look at the mythology, legends and folklore of Irish birds, both wild and domestic. He presents various aspects of bird folklore, such as fairy birds, birds of notable song or beauty, birds in the Brehon Laws and in early Irish poetry, and legends, such as the Children of Lir being turned into swans and how the banshee often appeared in the form of a crow, are featured. The birds are presented in seasonal order based either on their migratory habits, for example the cuckoo in summer, or on their cultural associations, such as the robin at Christmas. Also explored is how birds are often powerful symbols of various virtues and qualities, such as the goose, which is a symbol of watchfulness and bravery. Written with imagination and enthusiasm, this mix of natural history, mythology and folklore will entertain and enlighten all interested in the birds of Ireland.

Cockatiels: The Essential Guide to Ownership, Care, & Training For Your Pet


Kate H. Pellham - 2015
    These creatures are related to parrots and hail from the wilderness of Australia. In captivity, when allowed to interact with people early and often, cockatiels are affectionate and gentle. Thanks to their relatively compact size, cockatiels can be handled with ease. You won’t need a big house to keep these birds happy. A cockatiel will be glad to see you return home from work, sit next to its cage for a bedtime story, or stay by your side simply treasuring your company. This bird’s warm disposition can readily endear it to the right owner and household. While you don’t have to be an experienced bird-handler to provide a suitable home for a cockatiel, taking one home does entail a good amount of responsibility and other certain cockatiel-only requirements. Prior to making the commitment, it’s vital you know what you and your bird are in for. This book was written for the beginner cockatiel owner in mind, plus anyone considering one of these fascinating creatures as pets. You’ll learn what to look for when selecting a bird, how to care for your cockatiel and form a nurturing relationship together, what to feed your cockatiel and more. With this book you’ll quickly discover how to create a living area where your bird will thrive and live a long happy life.Need help deciding if a cockatiel is the pet for you and your family? This book will help you approach the decision-making process in a smart way. You’ll also find out about basic training, breeding, grooming, cleaning, and bonding with cockatiels. A tamed cockatiel is a well-behaved bird that’s a joy to have around. Included, too, among crucial topics are common diseases that harm cockatiels and how to bird-proof your home. The goal is to keep your little pal safe without dampening its curious and cheerful nature.

A Birders Guide to Washington


Washington Ornithological Society - 2015
    Elevations range from sea level to over 14,000 feet. Precipitation varies from over 200 inches annually on the Olympic Peninsula, nurturing a temperate rain forest and mountaintop glaciers, to a mere six inches in parts of the Columbia Basin, where near-desert conditions prevail. Between these extremes, an array of aquatic and terrestrial communities supports a remarkable diversity of bird species. This revised version of A Birder's Guide to Washington brings current the 2003 first edition, and, in the process, adds a number of new destinations, while eliminating a few that are no longer worthwhile. The guide details hundreds of birding routes and sites in the state, together with year-round access instructions and birding advice. Over 220 maps pinpoint the most productive destinations in the field and offer regional overviews to help with trip planning. An annotated checklist of 510 species recorded in the state through 2014 gives information about status and habitat associations, while the seasonal abundance and regional occurrence bar graphs will assist birders in locating regularly occurring species.

Queen of the Sky


Jackie Morris - 2015
    It's the story of how Ffion nursed the Falcon back to life and back to the wild, and about the bond which grew between the two. The story is told by international author and illustrator Jackie Morris, a friend of Ffion, who also lives in this remote part of Pembrokeshire, west Wales. Jackie describes the risks, triumphs, and above all the trust which developed between the pair and which formed the basis of the falcon's path to back to health and back to the freedom of the wild. Beautifully illustrated throughout with photographs, drawings, sketches, and magnificent paintings in watercolor and gold leaf by Jackie Morris. A must for birdwatchers, art lovers, and romantics alike.

Birds: ID Insights: Identifying the More Difficult Birds of Britain


Dominic Couzens - 2015
    Its unique layout, which compares the plumages of similar pairs and groups of species, makes it perfect for identifying the more difficult birds found in Britain and other parts of northwestern Europe. It has more images showing how to age birds than any comparable guide, and its handy compact size makes it practical for taking out into the field.The book is based on a long-running series of identification features in BirdWatching magazine. Author Dominic Couzens and artist David Nurney have spent years compiling the field notes and artworks for this series, and here their efforts are drawn together and made complete in a single volume that is easy to carry into the field and practical for birders to use.In addition, they have expanded the species list from the magazine series and added many new birds, including the likes of Subalpine Warbler, Short-toed Lark, and Red-rumped Swallow. In total, the book covers more than 230 species, with easy-to-identify species such as Magpie and Kingfisher given minimal coverage so that the more difficult ID issues can be covered as fully as possible.

Bird Families of the World: An Invitation to the Spectacular Diversity of Birds


David W. Winkler - 2015
    Scheduled for publication in 2015, between the two volumes of the HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World, this volume distills the voluminous detail of the 17-volume Handbook of Birds of the World into a single book. Based on the latest systematic research and summarizing what is known about the life history and biology of each group, this volume will be the best single-volume entry to avian diversity available. Whether you are a birder with an interest in global bird diversity, or a professional ornithologist wishing to update and fill-in your comprehensive knowledge of avian diversity, this volume will be a valuable addition to your library. An interest in birds is a life-enriching pursuit; the sheer diversity of birds means there are always stunning new species to see and novel facets of their lives to explore. Yet the grand diversity of birds is also a challenge, as it is easy to become disoriented amidst a group that contains more than 10,000 species that vary in nearly all of their most conspicuous attributes. Learning avian diversity requires a mental map to help us organize our experiences and observations. The scientific classification of birds provides exactly this framework, grouping together into Orders and Families birds that are most closely related to one another, and thereby linking species that share distinguishing traits. For those interested in learning about the tremendous diversity of birds world-wide, the best way to start is to learn the families, and this volume is a guide and invitation to do so.This book has been designed to serve both as a text for ornithology courses and as a resource for serious bird enthusiasts of all levels. Technical terminology is much reduced, and all scientific terms used are defined in a glossary. Introductory material describes the scope and concepts behind the classification used and gives suggestions about how best to use the book. The bulk of the volume is a family-by-family account of the birds of the world. For each family there is a distribution map with the breeding, non-breeding and year-round ranges of each family, a short text “teaser” to invite the reader to learn more, standardized descriptions of the appearance, relationships and similar species to each family’s members, their life history and conservation status. Each account includes a review of recent ideas about the relationships of the family to other families and relationships within it. The work is liberally illustrated by photographs from bird enthusiasts around the globe as well as paintings of one species from each of the genera in each family. It will be a beautiful and serviceable guide.

The Inconvenience of the Wings


Silas Dent Zobal - 2015
    The situation of a ghostly mother spelling out hints and instructions to her suspicious son in “The Inconvenience of the Wings” is balanced by sharp observations of nature, as in, “A whippoorwill, hunting mosquitoes by the pond, gave the cry that gave the bird its name.” The macabre rendering of a man’s consciousness trapped by a stroke in his inert body in “The Language of Men Who Speak of What They Do Not Understand” is set against precise natural descriptions, such as, “Birch trees creak under the wind’s pressure; a chorus of hounds begin to howl and keen.” In “Outlaw,” a group of feckless friends attempts to rob a gas station and causes an explosion worthy of a Quentin Tarantino scene, yet the description juxtaposes violence with a poetic evocation of nature: “The red maple leaves lifted skyward. Bloodgouts and furstrips and flesh hung among the branches. Then the wet sound of body parts falling….I pointed toward the blackened Japanese maples and what once had been my dog.” Trapped in a vacation cabin by a blizzard, some friends solve the problem of finding one of their company dead by placing her body in the freezing barn, necessitating the digging of a passage which is described in strangely beautiful language: “We shoveled. Wind harried the snow in horizontal gusts. We channeled between the house and the barn: the snow even with my navel, the sky a vertiginous swirl, the air scented of cold.”

Nextinction


Ralph Steadman - 2015
    . . The follow-up to the award-winning Extinct Boids, this book features more of the incredible art of cartoonist Ralph Steadman. This time, the focus is not on the birds that are gone, but on the ones that there is still time left to save. These are the 192 critically endangered birds on the IUCN Red List, species such as the Giant Ibis, the Kakapo, the Sumatran Ground-cuckoo and the iconic Spoon-billed Sandpiper--these, along with a number of classic Steadman creations such as the Unsociable Lapwing, are the Nearly-Extinct Boids.Woids are again by author, conservationist, and filmmaker Ceri Levy. Together, Ceri and Ralph are THE GONZOVATIONISTS.A portion of the proceeds from this book will go to BirdLife International to help them prevent the Nextinction.

The Curious Mister Catesby: A "Truly Ingenious" Naturalist Explores New Worlds


E. Charles Nelson - 2015
    After a seven-year stay, he returned to England with paintings of plants and animals he had studied. They sufficiently impressed other naturalists that in 1722 several Fellows of the Royal Society sponsored his return to North America. There Catesby cataloged the flora and fauna of the Carolinas and the Bahamas by gathering seeds and specimens, compiling notes, and making watercolor sketches. Going home to England after five years, he began the twenty-year task of writing, etching, and publishing his monumental The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands. Mark Catesby was a man of exceptional courage and determination combined with insatiable curiosity and multiple talents. Nevertheless no portrait of him is known. The international contributors to this volume review Catesby’s biography alongside the historical and scientific significance of his work. Ultimately, this lavishly illustrated volume advances knowledge of Catesby’s explorations, collections, artwork, and publications in order to reassess his importance within the pantheon of early naturalists.Contributors: Kraig Adler, Aaron M. Bauer, Janet Browne, David J. Elliott, W. Hardy Eshbaugh, Kay Etheridge, Stephen A. Harris, Valerie Herbert, Suzanne Linder Hurley, C. E. Jarvis, Shepard Krech III, Mark Laird, Henrietta McBurney, Judith Magee, Sarah Meacham, Cynthia P. Neal, Charles Nelson, Leslie K. Overstreet, Florence F. J. M. Pieters, Ghillean T. Prance, Diana Preston, Michael Preston, Karen Reeds, James L. Reveal, Robert Robertson, Marcus B. Simpson, Jr.

Beautiful Beasts: A Collection of Creatures Past and Present


Quarto Books - 2015
    Incredibly lush artwork compares extinct and currently living animals, all grouped by similar characteristics and attributes. Beautiful Beasts reveals the diversity and wonder of the animal kingdom, and will enchant young naturalists.

Everything Birds of Prey: Swoop in for Seriously Fierce Photos and Amazing Info (National Geographic Kids)


National Geographic Kids - 2015
    With stunning visuals and energetic, impactful design, readers won't stop until they've learned everything there is to know about birds of prey.From the Trade Paperback edition.

Blue Ice


Alex Bernasconi - 2015
    Blue Ice is a magnificent new volume from award-winning photographer Alex Bernasconi, showcasing Antarctica, the most remote and beautiful place on Earth.

A Tail of Two Doxies (Skeeterville Senior Mysteries #2)


Teresa Quill - 2015
    Their apartments only allow one pet per apartment. Mean Eugene is on a mission to get rid of all of them. But why is Eugene so mean? And what about all those puppies? Enjoy this special Skeeterville short story between the novellas.

Things You Find in a Poet's Beard


A.F. Harrold - 2015
    Perhaps you'll want to annoy your family by reading them out; perhaps you'll want to chuckle at them under the covers with a torch; perhaps you'll want to stare at the drawings drawn by Mr Chris Riddell; or maybe you'll want to stand up and shout them in assembly to capture the spirit of A.F. Harrold himself. (Printed using Dyslexie font - the typeface for readers with dyslexia.)

Life-Size Birds: The Big Book of North American Birds


Nancy J. Hajeski - 2015
    You won't need Sotheby's auction house to buy this volume, though! Full-size images of beautiful feathered friends offer a detailed look at each North American species, while scaled photographs of larger birds allow you to see the entire animal. Fun facts pepper the pages, and a summary of general information accompanies each avian. Get an up-close, personal look at the world's masters of flight!

Birds, Art & Design


Larry Barth - 2015
    This is a must-have book for every bird lover, carver, and anyone who appreciates fine sculptural art.- 24 finely detailed sculptures in wood shown in up-close photographs- Includes his early work, the Ward world-class winners, and his most recent pieces- Barth shares insights on how he conceives, designs, and executes his blue-ribbon masterpieces

Squishy Squashy Birds


Alicia Munday - 2015
    As Sammy's favourite New Zealand birds are squashed into the pages of his book, their quirky personalities and colourful plumages are hidden from the world. They perch in awkward positions on the pages, far from their beautiful natural habitats and unable to live in the wild. That is, until Sammy decides to share them with his class during Show and Tell. Next thing you know, he has unleashed unbridled birdy chaos! Once the craziness subsides, could the birds and the children end up being best feathered friends? Beautifully illustrated by Carl van Wijk, Squishy Squashy Birds is the perfect book for those who love all things precious, wild and wonderfully New Zealand.

Bird Nests: Amazingly Ingenious and Intricate


Stan Tekiela - 2015
    

Water Babies: The Hidden Lives of Baby Wetland Birds


William Burt - 2015
    This may well be his break out book, featuring the downy young of the wetlands, whose images are full of character and appeal. Most of these birds have never been captured on film until now. From the comic-monster herons to the fuzzy ducklings and stick-legged sandpipers, these tots have personality and spunk. In the wetlands, they come together, drawn by one essential need: for water. These babies then, are birds that get their feet wet; this book is one for bird lovers, naturalists, photographers, and animal lovers.“A perfectionist whose photographs of shy and elusive birds of the wetlands are unquestionably the finest ever taken.” –Roger Tory Peterson"What really comes through, in the writing and the photographs, is his deep and sensitive appreciation of the uniqueness of each of these most intriguing birds."--David Allen Sibley

Wild Adventures


Mick Manning - 2015
    The activities include: tracking skills; wildlife spotting; foraging for wild food and cooking outdoors; how to light a fire safely (with adult supervision); stargazing, including star maps; outdoor games; nature chase; how to mimic birdsong; how to make whistles and peashooters from elder stems; how to make plaster-cast animal tracks: nature collections and making art from nature finds. With full-page pictures, vignettes, captions and a glossary at the back, this is the book you need when you go out in the park or countryside.

Current Therapy in Avian Medicine and Surgery - Elsevieron VitalSource


Brian Speer - 2015
    Most chapters include an up-to-date delivery of the current state of knowledge on their subject material, and provide practical approaches and thought processes applicable to diagnosis and therapy where appropriate. Information is always easy to find, with topics including the latest advances in internal medicine; behavioral medicine; anesthesia, analgesia, and surgery. Sections dedicated to welfare, conservation, and practice risk management explore important, but less commonly discussed aspects of avian practice; and the pattern recognition portion of the text offers readers a view of what companion bird conditions are likely to be seen in practice in different parts of the world. Written by a team of highly regarded contributors from around the world, this text helps readers, regardless of location and current knowledge, develop and augment skills in the medical and surgical care of avian species. The Current Therapy format provides current, up-to-date, succinct and clear information pertinent to the medical and surgical care of avian species. Coverage of clinically significant topics includes current veterinary scientific literature and hot topics relating to today’s avian medicine and surgery. Coverage of a wide variety of bird species includes psittacines, pigeons, raptors, ratites, waterfowl, gallinaceous birds, and less common species. More than 800 full-color images show avian disease, management strategies and thought processes, and aid in formulating guidelines to care. World-renowned, expert contributors provide cutting-edge information, offering authoritative, accurate, and sometimes controversial opinions in many areas of study. Summary tables simplify the lookup of key facts and treatment guidelines. References in each chapter facilitate further reading and research on specific topics.