The Armchair Birder: Discovering the Secret Lives of Familiar Birds

by John Yow

Book Overview

While birding literature is filled with tales of expert observers spotting rare species in exotic locales, John Yow reminds us that the most fascinating birds can be the ones perched right outside our windows. In thirty-five engaging and sometimes irreverent vignettes, Yow reveals the fascinating lives of the birds we see nearly every day. Following the seasons, he covers forty-two species, discussing the improbable, unusual, and comical aspects of...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807832790
• ISBN13: 9780807832790
• Release Date: April 2009
• Publisher: University of North Carolina Press
• Length: 264 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

What a surprize...

I knew this book would be interesting because I read an excerpt in Bird's and Blooms magazine. It is more than interesting. The writer has an unexpected sense of humor that really makes the stories entertaining. The stories are short enough to read one during my lunch hour. If you have any interest in birds you will find this a delight. Would make a nice gift, as well.

The Armchair Birder

A very good read. Funny and at the same time you learn a lot about birds. Easy to read and fun. A good trip book.

Satisfying read

I previewed this before giving it to my sister who lives in Atlanta. Thought I would read a few chapters to make sure it was good and then mail it. While there weren't as many "anecdotes and stories" as I would have liked, I ended up reading the entire book rather than just browsing it. There are just enough facts to make it interesting but not overwhelming. The chapters are short and follow a pattern of exploring each bird's migration, feeding, nesting and parenting habits. Would have been nice to have color pictures rather than Audubon's black and white drawings, but I suppose that would have significantly increased the price. It inspired me to buy a bird feeder and I'm researching which binocular to buy!

Birder Two

The Armchair Birder: Discovering the Secret Lives of Familiar Birds As an enthusiastic but time-pressed birder, I have scores of birding guides. This book is different. It is not written for the competitive birder but s/he will enjoy it just the same. The Armchair Birder is full of anecdotes and interesting traits of familiar birds. The observations of naturalists from J.J. Audubon to modern contributors to `The Birds of North America Online' provide the background to Yow's personal and colorful observations. Readers will have a better understanding of why a Cardinal will sit on a car's outside rear view mirror and peck at his own reflection, as well as why Cedar Waxwings pass berries to their neighbors (It ain't just because they're nice). The book is divided into the four seasons, each with 10 birds, so you can read what you want when you want, but you will find that you will start from the beginning and read them all. Yow is an excellent writer with an easy-to-read style.