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What is that yellow bird? Get answers! Once you start paying attention, you'll find birds everywhere you go. Twenty species could easily inhabit your yard. Wouldn't it be fun to recognize them all? To locate them by their distinctive calls and songs? To get up-close looks at their bright eyes and brilliant colors? If ever an activity unlocked the exhilaration of getting close to nature, it's bird watching. You can gear up and seek them out in wild places, or settle into a comfortable chair to see who comes to your feeders. You need only three things: A pair of binoculars, a field guide, and a spark of interest. Soon, you'll be the one your friends turn to, saying, "I saw this bird...what could it be?"
Inside... - Bird sounds and behavior
- Making your yard a bird haven
- Bird feeding, simplified
- How to ID a mystery bird
- Choosing binoculars
- Finding the right field guide
- Birding hotspots
- Bird photography for fun and ID
- Finding your (bird) people
List of contents
Foreword xvii
Introduction 1
Part 1: Watching Birds - A Natural Habit 5 Chapter 1: Birds and the People Who Love Them 7
Chapter 2: Tools That Take You Up Close and Personal 17
Chapter 3: Identifying Birds ("lf It Walks Like a Duck .") 27
Chapter 4: Taxonomy and Nomenclature 49
Chapter 5: Watching Bird Behavior 67
Chapter 6: Bird Sounds: News and Entertainment 87
Part 2: Backyard Bird Watching 103 Chapter 7: Making a Bird-Friendly Yard 105
Chapter 8: Bird Feeding: The Start of It All 119
Chapter 9: Gardening for the Birds 151
Part 3: Bird Sighting 101: Using Your Tools 169 Chapter 10: Binoculars and How to Use Them 171
Chapter 11: Choosing and Using Field Guides 189
Chapter 12: Writing It Down 205
Part 4: Beyond the Backyard 227 Chapter 13: Migration: When Birds and Birders Get Moving 229
Chapter 14: Taking a Field Trip 245
Chapter 15: Birding by Habitat 265
Chapter 16: Birding Hotspots 277
Chapter 17: Birding Tours: On Site with a Pro 287
Chapter 18: Festivals and Other Events 297
Part 5: Once You're Hooked 305 Chapter 19: Birding That Makes a Difference 307
Chapter 20: Bird Photography 329
Chapter 21: Advanced Bird ID. 351
Part 6: The Part of Tens 363 Chapter 22: Ten Ways to Help Save Birds 365
Chapter 23: Ten Frequently Asked Questions About Birds 369
Index 375
About the author
The Editors of BWD -
BWD has been North America's premier magazine for bird watchers since 1978. Filled with informative and fun articles about birds, birders, birding destinations, and more,
BWD brings you birds in a way you've never seen before. Beautiful photography and fascinating articles by renowned experts will deepen your knowledge, expand your appreciation, and inspire you to look up!
