Bird Trivia: Funny, Strange and Incredible Facts about North American Birds

by Stan Tekiela

Incredible, Outrageous, Unbelievable Facts About Birds!

You love birds. They’re beautiful. They’re graceful. They’re a wonder to observe. Yet even seasoned bird watchers don’t know everything about our feathered friends. Acclaimed naturalist, author and award-winning wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela has taken a deep dive into the magnificent world of birds―and you won’t believe what he’s uncovered!

Why do some birds like to cover themselves with ants? Which birds can mimic the sounds of humans? Why don’t woodpeckers get concussions? In Bird Trivia, you’ll discover plenty of amazing tidbits you didn’t know that you wanted to know about birds. Paired with Stan’s famous bird photography, the information provides hours of enjoyment. You’re sure to impress your friends and family with all of the knowledge contained in this book!

Genres: Birds, Nature, Nonfiction

80 pages, Hardcover

Published October 9, 2018

About the author

Author, naturalist and wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela is the originator of the popular state-specific field guide series and many easy-to-use identification guides for the U.S. Over the last 30 years he has authored around 200 field guides, quick guides, nature books, children's books, wildlife audio CDs, puzzles and playing cards, presenting many species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, trees, wildflowers and cacti found across the U.S. and in Canada.

Stan has a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural History from the University of Minnesota, and he has received national and regional awards for his books and photography. Also a well-known columnist and radio personality, his syndicated column appears in more than 25 newspapers and his wildlife programs are broadcast on a number of Midwest radio stations.

Stan leads instructional photo workshops and wildlife tours across the U.S. for both beginner and advanced photographers. He also gives detailed presentations about wildlife, complete with his award-winning photographs, to audiences of all sizes across the country.

Reviews

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love birds

[Chispita Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

so fun and interesting and cute and well written!!

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly what you expect. Good facts. My favourite are about the woodpecker's brain 🧠

[Irene]

This little bird book is actually more like an encyclopedia than a book of trivia since most of the facts are things like fastest bird, longest migration, different types of nests, etc. I'm not sure who the ideal audience would be since it's a little too academic for someone looking for fun facts but in some ways too basic for someone who's really into birds.

An example of the more academic tone to the writing:

Bills are joined to a boney core that is attached to the skull. The bill has a covering, called the rhamphotheca, which is more like a sheath and grows throughout the life of a bird. The rhamphotheca is usually hard and hornlike and includes the tip and biting edges of the bill. However, in some birds, such as the ducks, sandpipers and pigeons, it is softer and more leathery. (pg. 39)

Not rating this book since it reads like a reference book. I read it in short bursts over a few weeks.

[Tara Thieleke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book to come up with bird trivia questions for a “love bird” party I was hosting. I found it incredibly useful and just came back to it for our annual gathering. Fun and educational read and pocket size, which makes it excellent for travel, younger readers, and people with a shorter attention span like me.

[Aplpaca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little book of cool bird facts. Got it as a gift and it actually had a decent amount of stuff I didn't already know, which is cool

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this cute little book of assorted bird trivia as a gift. Nice present and I learned a few things, too.

[Lori Coyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short hardcover facts about birds with pictures. Great for children or a bathroom read.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐. What's not to like? Learned some trivia I didn't know! Bird up babes

[Noelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book of fun facts!

[Judie · Rating 5 out of 5]

BIRD TRIVIA Is a fact-filled, 80-page illustrated treasure box of information about North American birds.
It begins talking about funny bird behaviors, such as using ants to benefit their health or taunting its prey. It discusses how birds adapt to different environments and variations in their anatomy (e.g., eyes, beaks, legs, feet
) and why woodpeckers don’t get headaches.
It gives examples of nests, mating, incubation (11 to 60 days), and raising babies.
We learn of their records in speed, distance, size, and lifespan and how they are able to migrate and to find their way home.
Even the most ardent birdwatcher will learn something from BIRD TRIVIA while novices will find the answers to questions they didn’t even know they had.
Well written, interesting, and fun.

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a “book of world records” for birds. It is organized by category, such as behavior, song or nests. Within each category the exceptional birds are described along with why they are unique. Beautifully photographed birds are found throughout the book.

This is one of those rare books that might be enjoyed by birders (bird-watchers) of all levels!

[Kristin Eoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little but fascinating book is easy to read and filled with all kinds of interesting trivia about North American birds. What's even more incredible is that most of the photos in the book were taken by the author himself, who apparently is an amazingly knowledgeable and multitalented naturalist who has authored dozens of books.

[Addie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book with snippets of knowledge about various birds in North America. The facts and trivia were interesting as well as humorous. It was a short 80 page book with short paragraphs, so it was easy to grab a bit of reading in between chores or carpooling. I like that it was organized by category.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Lots of interesting bird facts. No index, though.

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun facts for bird lovers. Wish there were photos of all birds written about.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐦🪿🦆

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining tidbits on birds for anyone - birder or not. Nature is so amazing! I have given this as a gift several times.