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Title details for Birdpedia by Christopher W. Leahy - Available

Birdpedia

A Brief Compendium of Avian Lore

#4 in series

by Christopher W. Leahy
Abby McBride
ebook
2 of 2 copies available
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2 of 2 copies available

A captivating A–Z treasury about birds and birding
Birdpedia is an engaging illustrated compendium of bird facts and birding lore. Featuring nearly 200 entries—on topics ranging from plumage and migration to birds in art, literature, and folklore—this enticing collection is brimming with wisdom and wit about all things avian.
Christopher Leahy sheds light on "hawk-watching," "twitching," and other rituals from the sometimes mystifying world of birding that entail a good deal more than their names imply. He explains what kind of bird's nests you can eat, why mocking birds mock, and many other curiosities that have induced otherwise sane people to peer into treetops using outrageously expensive optical equipment. Leahy shares illuminating insights about pioneering ornithologists such as John James Audubon and Florence Bailey, and describes unique bird behaviors such as anting, caching, duetting, and mobbing. He discusses avian fossils, the colloquial naming of birds, the science and history of ornithology, and more. The book's convenient size makes it the perfect traveling companion to take along on your own avian adventures.
With charming illustrations by Abby McBride, Birdpedia is a marvelous mix of fact and fancy that is certain to delight seasoned birders and armchair naturalists alike.

  • Features a cloth cover with an elaborate foil-stamped design

    • Creators

    • Series

      Pedia Books

    • Publisher

    • Release date

      July 6, 2021

    • Formats

      • OverDrive Read

        • ISBN: 9780691218236

      • EPUB ebook

        • ISBN: 9780691218236
        • File size: 9729 KB

    • Languages

      • English

    • Reviews

      • Library Journal

        Starred review from September 1, 2021

        Leahy, a principal naturalist at the venerable Massachusetts Audubon Society, is also the author of the excellent Birdwatcher's Companion to North American Birdlife, a reference work boasting 1,472 alphabetical entries. His latest title is largely derivative of The Birdwatcher's Companion, with 102 such entries, but 19 entries are new and many others have been updated and revised. This is a handy, inexpensive little book, very suitable for public and academic libraries. Leahy's well-informed writing is a pleasure to read and often witty. Entries range from simple definitions (Bergmann's rule, ornithichnite) to extended essays of several pages on general themes such as flight, bill, fiction, migration, song, and poetry, and also include biographical sketches and Old World-related phenomena (Shakespeare's birds, Edward Lear). The book also explores contemporary issues such as "Birding While Black" and climate change. VERDICT Leahy's breadth of knowledge is impressive, and he expresses it beautifully, allowing readers to easily absorb his many salient points. Most highly recommended for all libraries serving young adults and older, and for all academic libraries, especially those that don't already have The Birdwatcher's Companion.--Henry T. Armistead, formerly at Free Lib. of Philadelphia

        Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    Formats

    • OverDrive Read
    • EPUB ebook

    subjects

    Languages

    • English

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