1001 Secrets Every Birder Should Know: Tips and Trivia for the Backyard and Beyond

by Sharon Stiteler

Bird watching is one of the most popular hobbies in America, and 1,001 Secrets Every Bird Watcher Should Know is the first photographic guide and fact book written in a humorous conversational tone that appeals to every age and skill level. Replete with sound information, 1,001 Secrets will expose many birding a bald eagle cannot carry off a four-month old baby, and crows do not go sledding for fun.

This accessible guide includes fun facts, such as where certain birds got their names, how birds eat, how they find a life partner, and how they build a home for the chicks. Other useful information includes identification tips, migration patterns, and where the best birding vacation spots are. Packed with full-color photos, 1,001 Secrets Every Bird Watcher Should Know is a fun, informative read for every bird watcher.

Genres: Birds, Nature, Nonfiction, Animals, Science

296 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2013

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book caught my eye in the local library and wanted to dismiss it as easily digestible fodder for the broad public and not serious birdy folks. "But 1001 is a very large number-- I should take a look in case there obvious things I don't already know." So I read it and found it was about what I expected. It is highly visual and the writing is a light, conversational style containing bird trivia snippets arranged in logical chapters on breeding, migration, etc. The first few chapters are centered on feeding birds and bird houses for the backyard birder, but expands into other topics. The information is basic but accurate, and contains a fair number of factoids that took me a few years to accumulate through various sources. I did pick up one or two tidbits; many know the spine-tailed swift holds the record for fastest powered flight, but I didn't know woodcock were the slowest flyers (although has anyone clocked a southern emu-wren? Those guys barely move in the air). There were several recommendations for bucket-list birding spots I hadn't heard of, particularly in the Middle East, so that was interesting. Overall this could be a friendly starter guide to the world of birds and birding.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I haven't actually finished the book, but it's been wonderful and informative for me. It makes me want to go out exploring, immediately. The amount of information it provides for an amateur birder like me, is pretty vast. I don't normally rate books before I finish them, but this was too irresistible for me!

[MJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

So. If you have any interest in birds, read this. The author writes with humor and great knowledge of birds. Lots of pictures. Are you feeding too many birds? You'll know if the migration routes have changed to go over your house.

[Deb Stransky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. Learned many things about birds and their lives. Well sectioned, i.e., nesting, raising clutches, feeding habits, etc. There was also information regarding birding and birding areas to visit as well as festivals to meet other birders--amateur and expert alike.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, interesting, and visually appealing book! However, it needs a final editing as, for instance, the word "sight" was misspelled as "site" several times (e.g. page 188, 128).

[M.L. Dunker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light fun book that can be read in a day. For casual birders, those looking for a new hobby, or anyone just curious what’s that feathered thing in the tree?
Tone and language is lighthearted, never condescending. A great introduction. There is an extensive bibliography in the back for those who want to go more in-depth.

Ah, yes.

That we all could have the perseverance of a typo or the cleverness of a correctly spelled word masquerading as another (wonton/wanton, site/sight). Another pass with the proofreader would have been great.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good information in this book. Easy to read and comprehend.

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

too "beginning birder" but super cute. probably won't finish it but will pass it along.

[Kerry Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, informative, and great for beginning birders! Birdchick is sassy and funny and knowledgable and really does her best to let readers know that being into birds is COOL not nerdy!

[Peejay(Pamela) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite entertaining and informative!

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read like a blog.
Read the book in a day.
I would have liked the subject topics to be better arranged.
Good beginner book for birders.

[John]

very informitive

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a perfect read for the living room end-table. I read a little every morning during breakfast and learned a lot. I’ll keep it as a birding reference now, especially for trip ideas.