Identifying And Feeding Birds: An Easy Guide to Backyard Birding—Attract and Watch 130 Species, Avoid Common Mistakes, and Enjoy Nature

by Bill Thompson III

This readable, friendly guide is intended for bird watchers and non–bird watchers alike—for anyone who wants to enjoy nature right in his or her own backyard.

 

The longtime editor of Bird Watcher’s Digest and author of numerous books on birds, Bill Thompson III  has been feeding and watching birds for forty years. He has tried everything, and here he shares what he’s learned so that readers can avoid mistakes and skip right to successful bird feeding. He also debunks common myths about bird Does feeding birds stop them from migrating? Will birds starve if you leave your feeders empty after the birds have come to rely on them?

 

In an easygoing and lighthearted style, seven chapters cover all the elements needed to attract birds to a backyard (food, water, shelter) and address special cases and problems (keeping bees out of the hummingbird feeder, preventing birds from flying into windows, and much more). The final chapter profiles the 130 species that are most common at backyard feeders. No separate field guide is needed; it’s all right here—everything a beginner needs to know to attract birds and then figure out what kind they are.

Genres: Nature, Birds, Nonfiction, Science

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2010

About the author

BILL THOMPSON III is the editor of Bird Watcher’s Digest and the author of the Peterson Field Guide Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of Eastern North America, along with many other books. He lives in Ohio with his wife, the author and illustrator Julie Zickefoose, and their two children.

Reviews

[Lisa]

This book:

• Starts with general bird and feeding/water/nesting info and specifics about attracting hummingbirds, bluebirds, woodpeckers, and others.
• Lots of great large photos, descriptions, and maps (more helpful than you might think for identification purposes).
• Only contains a little over 100 pages of bird identifications, so it does not include all birds. It does cover most of the types of birds you would expect to see at your feeders or in your yard.
• Available at HCPL!

[KBowen]

Informative

Like the information. It gave the knowledge I was looking for about attracting birds. I realize that I am only going to be able to feed hummingbirds, due to squirrels and pigeons.

[lichen1]

Successfully made me proficient in feeding birds

[Barbara]

I absolutely loved this book as it provided so much information including the basics and the author's tips. This book contains information on bird friendly plants, how to make your own bird suet and when/how to set it out for the birds. The information on bird houses and advice on where to place them, nesting myths, how to help nesting birds, etc. was invaluable. There are beautiful photographs throughout including pictures from the author's own property. I especially loved the last section of 125 of the most common birds as the photos were so well done. Such a great book for bird lovers and enthusiasts!

[Heather]

A very valuable resource with useful tips and ideas for both beginners and more experienced bird lovers. The book covers selection of feeders, food, birdbaths, and birdhouses and then gives specific details on 100 common birds.

[John]

Detailed information on how to attract birds to a backyard and provide for their food and habitat needs. My full review.

[Krishnan Seshasayee]

Great read. Kindled my interest

Great info for beginners. Started bird watching this year. Also planning on attracting more birds to my backyard. This book is all I need to get started. Loved the read

[Colette!]

This is a great book for people who want to learn to identify what shows up at your feeder and are too lazy to do it without the benefit of glossy pictures. I'm guilty -- this book has been great.