Product Description

This book offers more information on the feeding habits of North American birds than has ever before been available. Here we find out what species appear in different parts of North America, how often they visit feeders, and which foods they prefer. The fascinating and sometimes peculiar habits of each species are described in anecdotal accounts. We learn, for example, that crows post sentinels to watch for danger while the flock is feeding, that a red-winged blackbird may not sample a novel food until it sees another try it first, and that yellow-bellied sapsuckers enjoy sugar water and jelly. Clear, charming illustrations are a helpful tool for identifying each bird, maps show distribution and frequency of feeder visits, and charts provide information on abundance during specific months of the year. Birds at Your Feeder is based on data collected by Project FeederWatch, an extensive, long-term study sponsored by, among others, the National Audubon Society and the Canadian Nature Federation.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #806323 in Books
• Published on: 2001-09-27
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .84" h x 5.06" w x 8.02" l, .85 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

From Library Journal
This superb book is distinguished from the dozens of others on attracting birds by its analysis of data from thousands of people who feed birds across North America and participate in Project FeederWatch, a survey begun in 1987 by Dunn and managed by Cornell University and other institutions. For the 93 most widespread feeder species, the authors present several pages of excellent commentary plus two range maps and four bar graphs. For each bird, there is textual and graphic information on its abundance (both geographical and through the yearly calendar), food preferences, behavior, habits, a drawing of the bird, and more. There is also some detail on birds and mammals found less frequently at feeders plus discussions of misconceptions about the perceived risks of feeders: concerns about dependency, disease, predation, and window collisions. A wealth of information is easily accessible here thanks to this massive cooperative programAa prime example of "citizen science." Highly recommended.AHenry T. Armistead, Free Lib. of Philadelphia
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Erica H. Dunn, a research scientist for the Canadian Wildlife Service, is one of North America's leading experts on birds at feeders. She founded Project Feederwatch and has written widely on the subject of bird feeding. Diane L. Tessaglia-Hymes is a graphic designer for the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, home of Project Feederwatch.