The Hummingbird Handbook: Everything You Need to Know about These Fascinating Birds

by John Shewey

“Captures the spirit and allure of these captivating birds in every fascinating fact, historical tidbit, amusing anecdote, species profile and plant pick.”  —Birds & Blooms

Hummingbirds inspire an unmistakable sense of devotion and awe among bird lovers. Gardeners, too, love the company of hummingbirds, not only for their beauty, but also for their role as pollinators. Brimming with astonishing facts, practical advice, and important ecological information,  The Hummingbird Handbook  is a must-have guide to attracting, understanding, and protecting hummingbirds. From advice on feeders to planting and landscaping techniques that will have your garden whirring with tiny wings, lifelong birder John Shewey provides all you need to know to entice these delightful creatures. An identification guide makes them easy to spot in the wild, with stunning photographs, details on plumage variations, and range maps showing habitats and migration patterns. Need more joy in your life? Let this guide and nature’s aerial jewels help you create a lively haven.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Birds, Gardening, Reference, Animals

240 pages, Paperback

Published April 27, 2021

About the author

John Shewey is an Oregon-based veteran steelhead fly angler, journalist, photographer, author, and noted fly tier whose elegant steelhead flies have earned national prominence. The editor-in-chief of the Northwest Fly Fishing magazine group, John has penned hundreds of articles and published countless photographs and to date has authored more than a dozen books. John appears frequently as a speaker at club meetings, conclaves, and sports shows around the country.

Reviews

[Bonnie DeMoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely gorgeous book that is also a comprehensive guide to hummingbirds. The beautiful photos are accompanied by information on hummingbird folklore, different species of hummingbird, hummingbird feeder safety, and ways to make your yard inviting for hummingbirds.

This is the bird that looks most like a faerie and captures our imaginations as it hovers over a flower and then flits away, sometimes sparkling incandescently. The photos really do this little creature justice. Any nature lovers and fans of hummingbirds (who isn't?) will love this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

“In the end, we will conserve only what we love, love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.”
— Baba Dioum

THE HUMMINGBIRD HANDBOOK offers a stunning look at this beloved whirring wonder, one you’ll adore even more after reading this intriguing guide. Colorful photos capture an array of types, including the rufus-crested coquette, for example, whose head feathers rival any British “fascinator.”

There are tips on feeders, plants and landscaping to attract these tiny miracles of nature. Hurrah! And eye-opening factoids: Did you know hummingbirds move their wings 10 to 80 times per second (!) while hovering? Also included are maps revealing breeding and migration patterns, plus photos showing which type resides where. A book to be savored and included in every home, school and public library.

5 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 13 Apr 2021

Thanks to the author, Timber Press, and NetGalley for the ARC, in exchange for my honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
I love this cover! Sometimes I just want to sit down and look at pictures of nature. I’m so busy working in the medical field that I’m not outside “living as much as I’d like. This book felt to me like a guided tour through a hummingbird museum.
I’ve always been fascinated with humming birds and was surprised to see them actually in my neighborhood. I’m definitely going to try to make my yard more appealing to them in the future. I had no idea that they were first discovered in America.
I really liked this book and thought it would make a great coffee table read.

In this book you’ll find:
*beautiful photos
*trivia
*hummingbird basics and facts
*gallery of species
*how to create a likable environment for Hummers.

I highly recommend this if you love hummingbirds. It’s so much more than a book with beautiful pictures of hummingbirds.

Thank you Timber Press via Netgalley for this wonderful ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent guide to hummingbirds that's packed with information and beautiful photos. I especially appreciated the detailed profiles of many flowers to plant for hummingbirds since I am not the type of person who can commit to cleaning and refilling a hummingbird feeder every day (yes, the author says you really should do it daily, preferably in the evening since they can rise before dawn and start feeding). Flowers are the preferred foods for hummers anyway, and I loved how many were suited to my cold MN zone 4 garden. There's info on the best kinds of feeders, the top ten most common hummingbirds, the ranges they're in, places to see them on vacation, and so much more. Really, really thorough, great book.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

[Kat (Katlovesbooks) Dietrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hummingbird Handbook is a comprehensive guide to understanding the hummingbird.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher  Timber Press and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis and Opinions:
First, make sure you read this on a colour tablet, or computer.  Or better yet, buy the book.  It would be a wonderful coffee-table addition.  The pictures just pop.  They are just a beautiful representation of an amazing bird.

The book includes everything from basic information, to myths, to plants that will attract them, and different hummingbirds in different areas of the world.

Some of the amazing things I've learned....there are over 340 species of these wonderful birds...the largest of them does not even weigh an ounce....they can fly amazing distances -- one flew from Tennessee to Alaska in 5 months.....their heart is 2.5 percent of their body weight (ours is .3).

One of my favorite sections of the book includes their favorite plants. The pictures in this section are wonderful.

Then there is the section on identifying the different species, where they are found -- most of which are in the mid-west to western US and Canada.  Over 90% of hummingbirds found in Eastern North America are Ruby Throated.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves hummingbirds.  They are, indeed, a fascinating creature.



For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/

[Ioana · Rating 5 out of 5]

So delightful!

Reading this book has been a lovely experience.
It is filled with great facts about these fascinating creatures, at times comparing various species, it abounds in information about how to create the perfect environment for them to visit your garden and how to properly take care of the feeders in order to keep them healthy and happy.

I liked that it also features a list of places you can go to see them in action, without creating your own space. It is truly a complete book, perfect for any type of hummingbird lover, from the simple admirer to a true aficionado and connoisseur of their realm.

Living in a country where these lovely birds are not present it has been delightful discovering so much about them. Not to mention the abundance of fantastic photographs and the final guide on spotting and understanding many types of hummingbirds. A wonderful book!

I received a copy of this in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers an excellent look into hummingbird history, and habits. It was especially helpful to read frequent examples of the author's backyard stories as well as actual field experience.

It was incredibly interesting to learn about the breading, feeding, and turf habits of these micro birds. Side note--they regularly agitate larger birds just to mess with them. Think black birds and even hawks!?

I had no idea that there was a long history of American indigenous hunting and display of the birds into textiles. I also had no clue that European settler's initial fear turned into eventual trading of killed specimens. Crazy.

I've adored hummers for a long time, but this book makes me want to put out a feeder this summer!

**The PDF that I enjoyed was an advanced reader copy granted to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own and not that of the publisher.**

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderful....whether the reader is a hummingbird lover or not!! The pictures alone make it a great “coffee table book”, but then add in all the information and trivia and we have an “everything you always wanted to know about hummingbirds” handbook! Every year I have hummingbird visitors in my back yard where I keep feeders intertwined with my flowers and water effects perfect for a hummingbird. I am always wanting to learn more and to be sure I have everything I need for my visitors and this book gave me that “extra” I was looking for. John Shewey knows hummingbirds, and I for one am glad that he shared his knowledge for novices like myself as well as those already in the know!! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you Timber Press for the opportunity to review. #NetGalley #TheHummingbirdHandbook #TimberPress

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love nature, animals, even am starting to understand that bugs have a place in this world as food for the animals I like, so when I saw this being offered, I requested it. I knew little about hummingbirds before reading this book, other than they are small, fast and beautiful.

They are also extremely high-maintenance, at least for my gardening skills. Please note I have a brown thumb and am lazy, so I don't have what it takes to create the garden haven for hummingbirds that this book discusses, but don't let my inability to coax a plant out of the ground discourage you. If you want to do it, do so and you will reap the rewards of having a garden alive with the beauty of hummingbirds.

This book is absolutely gorgeous and full of information about different types of hummingbirds and how to build a feeding area for them, using local plants and thoughtful landscaping.

Even if you aren't into gardening, but are into nature, I highly recommend this book. The pictures are BEAUTIFUL and hummingbirds are truly amazing creatures. Definitely good for middle readers on up. 5, zippy colorful, stars!

My thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 4.0 of 5

Hummingbirds. Is there any other species of bird that so immediately conjures up images of shimmery colors and blurry wings?

Author John Shewey provides a rather thorough look at the group of birds known as hummingbirds, as well as looking at the individual groups of hummingbirds.

This is a coffee-table-style book, meaning that it is rich with photos and relatively large text, making it easy to pick up and look at a photo and read just a little bit. It also implies a kind of veneer quality to the material - covering enough to look good without getting too thorough or in-depth. This is probably a pretty apt description, but I also want to be clear ... I liked this book. We don't always need to get deep into the science of ornithology to enjoy a book. Those kinds of books are also available to those who want it.

When you pick up a book about hummingbirds, you want to be able to look at a lot of pictures - to see the colorful variety of the species, and this book definitely provides plenty of remarkable photos.

The book is broken down into six chapters. The first chapter is explores "Hummingbird Trivia: Facts, Fictions & Folklore." I found some of the trivia interesting, specifically the Aztec interest surrounding the birds. The more I watch and learn about hummingbirds the more I realize how appropriate it was that the Aztecs had a hummingbird war god ('Huitzilopochtli'). Those little birds are very aggressive!

Perhaps because I already have a hummingbird-friendly yard, I didn't find the third chapter ('Planting and Landscaping for Hummingbirds') as useful. Shewey breaks this down quite a bit, identifying hummingbird-friendly plants, which zones those plants thrive in, and why the birds like these plants specifically (with lots of photos, remember).

The chapter 'Hummingbirds of the United States' starts with "The Big Eight" - identifying the most common hummers found in the United States and for each bird Shewey provides: Identification; Status Range; Habitat; Voice; Behaviors; and Similar Species. And with each is also a map of the bird's range for breeding, migration, winter, and year-round. This section was probably the most helpful to me.

There is also a chapter called 'Hummingbirds on the Road' which is more like an appendix as it features a "Viewing Hummingbirds, State by State" guide. I'm not sure how these locations were chosen. In my state, nine parks or refuge centers were listed, but I think many more parks and centers could easily have been included. There is also a listing of hummingbird festivals for the dedicated birder.

The book concludes with a quick look at hummingbirds that don't make it to the United States. Again, the photos are a delight to look at.

Looking for a good book? The Hummingbird Handbook by John Shewey has a lot of useful information but is primarily a book full of really great photos of an incredible type of bird.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

The Hummingbird Handbook is a layman accessible collection of facts and pictures of these beautiful and fascinating birds written by John Shewey. Due out 27th April 2021 from Workman Publishing on their Timber Press imprint, it's 240 pages and will be available in paperback, and ebook formats.

This is a beautifully illustrated and well presented book and will be especially relevant for birders. The author is an experienced birder and nature journalist and writes engagingly about these beautiful little animals.The first chapters give a good introduction and history and lots of interesting trivia as well as representations of the hummingbird in media, on stamps, and from Native American petroglyphs. I especially liked reading about their physiology and behavior; they're such captivating and fascinating creatures. Following chapters give a good overview on landscaping with hummingbird friendly plants (and coincidentally as habitat for other pollinators and wildlife), picture/species galleries and profiles of North American hummingbirds as well as hummingbird species elsewhere in the Americas (North, South, and Central). There is also a cross referenced index and a useful abbreviated resource and links list for further reading.

I would recommend it for readers of nature and conservancy writing, birders, gardeners, and anyone who has ever been enchanted by hummingbirds' incredible aerial gymnastics. I still remember when I was living in West Virginia, seeing one of "my" tiny fearless little male ruby throated hummers checking out a bowl of tomato peels I was preparing to toss into my compost. He quickly decided they weren't sweet or yummy for hummingbirds, chirped me a *distinctly* unimpressed raspberry and zoomed off back to the feeders.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hummingbirds must be the most striking and fascinating birds on the planet and this book contains stunning and achingly beautiful photography, information and descriptions of these tiny creatures. If this book doesn't entice you to read/learn more about them, nothing will! I just love it. It is like a dream come true for a novice hummingbird observer like me!

There are about 340 known species of hummers, ranging in size from a dime to a robin and found in many regions, even mine which is a zone 2a (aka very cold). The author discusses the reverence some cultures had for them in history, the feather fashion phase (unfortunately), habitat ranges, identification, how and what to feed them in which feeder and the importance of meticulously clean feeders, plants to attract, predators (yellow jackets and praying mantis!) and the most glorious photography you can imagine. Until now I had not seen pictures of their long tongues! We are even told about the names of the feathers and other terminology.

The amount of information here is staggering. I actually feel smarter after reading this, though it is not textbook style whatsoever. Very engaging and accessible. I learned that building their nests near some hawks is a good thing and the reason they must feed just before they retire for the night. The Big Eight are detailed. There are excellent lists on where to watch them.

If you are a beginner or expert, you will learn a ton from John Shewey (of Birds & Blooms). What a happy discovery, especially during a pandemic!

My sincere thank you to Timber Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this spectacular book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The hummingbirds are due back any day now. Our feeders are out and just in time, Timber Press is publishing (April 27, 2021), "The Hummingbird Handbook - Everything You Need to Know about These Fascinating Birds" by John Shewey (Birds & Blooms).

The book is divided into six basic sections: Trivia, Fictions & Folklore; Hummingbird Basics; Planting and Landscaping; Hummingbirds of the United States; Hummingbirds on the Road; and Hummingbirds Abroad. Written in a straight forward style and filled with glorious photographs, author John Shewey has caught the essence of the little bird that seems to be everyone's favorite.

An attractive cover makes "The Hummingbird Handbook" a perfect gift (I just ordered a copy for a friend.) and certainly a title any library should purchase. Some of the facts are amusing and some are tragic like the enormous number of hummingbirds that were once slaughtered for the fashion industry. Photo credits and an extensive index make this book easy to use. Smaller in dimension than one might expect, the book measures 8 x 0.7 x 8.9 inches. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Thanks to the author, Timber Press, and NetGalley for am ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like hummingbirds, you will like this book. It is an extremely detailed guide. It starts with some fascinating facts about hummingbirds. Then, it launches in a detailed section about how to attract hummingbirds, including a whole chapter on feeders and a chapter on plants that attract hummingbirds (including their hardiness zones). The rest of the book is devoted to a detailed guide of the hummingbirds species found in the United States with a detailed map of their ranges which is way more detailed than most bird field guides. The book is full of gorgeous pictures and the appendix has a listing of places to visit hummingbirds along with festivals. Apparently, there’s a festival near me so guess who’ll be going there next fall! I’m bringing this book to the local nursery when it gets warmer to find some plants to attract some hummers to my yard.

[Josephine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so beautiful. Such amazing photos and details about hummingbirds. I need to put up the hummingbird feeder in the yard again and see if any of the hummingbirds in this book appear. They are such amazing birds and this book really showcases them well. This book provides you with a lot of details about hummingbirds and how to attract them and landscape for them. It also provides a listing of hummingbirds and where you can find them on a map of North America. Additionally, it provides a list of locations you can view hummingbirds state by state. There's also a gallery of hummingbirds that you can find abroad. Lots of cool things to see and learn in this book!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hummingbird Handbook: Everything You Need to Know About These Fascinating Birds by John Shewey is a highly informative book. I was extremely glad to read about planting gardens to encourage more hummingbirds to my yard in the summer. The plant names are given to help with locating the plants you prefer. There is information about the feeders, nectar, and cautions about pests which may discourage the small birds from your feeders. The book is filled with information about the varied species, and their migrating habits. The photographs of the hummingbirds at the end of the book are vivid and beautiful!
Publication Date: April 13, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved hummingbirds since seeing them frequenting my mom's feeders as a child. They seemed almost magical as the hovered and flitted amongst the flowers and feeders. So I was excited and grateful to receive this ARC from Netgalley and Timber Press in return for my honest review.

This book is absolutely beautiful, full of fascinating information from legends and folklore to information on making your yard inviting to hummingbirds and identifying the various species. There are many gorgeous color photos of the birds, as well. This is definitely a book you will return to time after time.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been dipping in and out of this delightful book for the last 2 weeks. It is the definitive book on hummingbirds, full of spectacular photographs.,

It details the different species, their habitat and locations (including easy to view maps), along with what they like to eat. It gives information on the plants that these birds love, and how to create a garden that will attract them in your geographic area.

I particularly enjoyed all the stories and history on why some of these birds were named the way they were and just the general information about these fascinating creatures.

I thoroughly recommend this for anyone interested in hummingbirds.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, John Shewey and Timber Press for the ARC of The Hummingbird Handbook. This is my personal review.
When I saw the cover, I knew I wanted to read this book. The hummingbird on the cover is stunning!
Hummingbirds are an amazing bird, and this book brings the history, facts, trivia, and information to help you understand them better.
The book is written so well that reading it is a pleasure. The photography is fantastic. There are so many types of hummingbirds and to see them up close is beautiful.
I have family and friends who will love this book and it will make a great gift for them.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a reason these magnificent birds have captured the interest of people for so long. They are tiny, beautiful, fast and a wonder to behold. While there is a wealth of information, such as trivia, basics, planting and landscapes, and varieties stateside and abroad, my favorite element, hands down, is the stunning photography. The colors and details captured are just breathtaking. This is an excellent resource for all lovers of hummingbirds, from novice to expert. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given.

[Novel Obsession · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved John Shewey’s The Hummingbird Handbook. The full color photos are gorgeous and alone, are worth reading the book. Shewey has packed plenty of information in this book, from habitats to history to identification. This would be a fantastic gift for anyone who enjoys hummingbirds as well as being a great educational resource. While overall I am not a fan of Birds and Blooms magazine, Shewey has made a fantastic resource in this book.

Disclaimer: A copy was provided by Timber Press. Originally posted at Novel Obsession.

[Ashutosh Sahu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rather niche topic, in the non-fiction genre, but this book manages to make hummingbirds quite interesting in a large and visually appealing book.

Kudos for filling roughly 240 large pages. I picked this book up to research Hummingbirds as subjects for painting, and so appreciated both the photographs and the descriptions of favorite flowers, habitats, personality, migratory and behavior patterns, etc. I was unaware of much of the history, from supernatural to sordid and thus that was the unexpected strength of this item in the author's oeuvre.

[Dana Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hummingbird Handbook by John Shewey. I absolutely love this book about hummingbirds. I especially loved the parts about the planting of flowers and bushes to attract hummingbirds. I watched hummingbirds only 2 last summer but I was so excited just having two my mom and my daughters house both seem to attract them. The photographs are very pretty. I have already preordered this book on kindle even though I viewed it on the Netgalley app for review. I love it.

[Lisa Konet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love hummingbirds and have been fascinated with them ever since seeing a Nova documentary on PBS. If you are a hummingbird enthusiast or want to learn more about them, this book is perfect. The pictures are excellent.

Thanks to Netgalley, John Shewey and Timber Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 4/13/21

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Of particular interest were the information on gardens, feeders, and even ecological tourism. I'm going to check out some plants mentioned in the book. I have also looked at some of the feeders referenced in the event hornet take over again. I also love that there are ecological tours available for these beauties! Great book for anyone who loves their hummers!

[Linda Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book to pick up and enjoy when you need a fresh touch of wonder. Lots of basic information helps you create a hummingbird friendly yard and garden. It also gives tons of information on the migrations and ranges! Not the kind of book to read cover to cover but as a lovely guide to the amazing ways of the hummingbirds in our world!

[Polly Krize · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Long a fan of these tiny flying jewels, this is a comprehensive book all about them. I especially loved the folklore about them, and of course, the dazzling photographs. Well done!

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book presents a lot of useful information about hummingbirds and how to prepare a garden to provide. For them. The species identifications and description pages are well done. The writing style is straight forward and easy to follow.

[Sahil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative for sure - the author loves hummingbirds. The first few chapters talk about hummingbird behavior and characteristics and the rest focuses on practically how to feed, identify, and find hummingbirds.

[Robert Mulvihill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not your average “handbook” of birds—much above average content with a great many truly superb photos.