The 7 Best Books About Birds

You will discover toads, parakeets, gulls, sea-eagles and many more in this list of best books about birds. Some of these classics are over 30 years old but they’re still interesting and enjoyable to read. You will be amazed how much fun reading about birds can be.

If you think the only things that fly are planes and birds, let us introduce you to a rich selection of classics we love. From old-world explorers to modern domestic birds, these books will be delightful for any bird lover.

If you want to purchase any of the books listed below, click on the titles. They are affiliated links that will take you directly to the store.

National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, 7th Edition

According to a reader,

The text and maps contained here are unexcelled and I find the artwork, font size, and printing quality to be of very high quality. The only quibbles I ever hear about the NGS guide are that the plates are painted by multiple artists, and the style and quality of their work is not identical. I'm not certain that I concur to the degree that I would relegate this guide to 2nd place behind any other. Another plus is that, although the NGS guide is not pocket-sized, it is small enough to take into the field for immediate consultation, whereas the Sibley guide (the prime alternative to this book) is better left in the car or in the room and consulted later. Another consideration is that the NGS guides are updated frequently, with new editions published every several years. As a result of this, the NGS guide is a rarity, in that it is typically the most-current of any field guide on the market, reflecting the latest changes to taxonomy, ranges, and extralimital occurrences; as well updated artwork and improved text.

My Awesome Field Guide to North American Birds: Find and Identify Your Feathered Friends (My Awesome Field Guide for Kids)

This book is a nicely written,age appropriate book for young children who are interested in birding. Besides listing all the various birds captured in the book, the birds are also organized by class such as raptors, songbirds, waterbirds and waterfowl. The end of the book contains some guidance on how to keep proper notes when observing birds as well as a good glossary, some additional references and also resources for further information with more detailed information on specific bird families. Up until page 116 the book is focused on the various birds, including a drawing of each bird, a brief description of the colors involved as well as an introduction to the birds, its habitat and general introduction to females and males of the species. Starting after this bird listing, is the sample journal that can be used while observing birds.

I received a free copy of the book from the publisher. The journal is kept simple so that a young bird lover can use it very easily, basic information and space for a quick sketch are included. Overall, a very nice book and a goo start to birding for a young person.

National Geographic Kids Look and Learn: Birds

This is a lovely board book for the youngest readers (ages 1-2), teaching the very basic colours. It would benefit greatly (benefit the intended audience) if the names of the birds were provided so that kids would learn that birdies have collective names (as opposed to personal) and that would make this book more appealing to older kids, say 4-year-olds who are into some 'serious learning' :) And for younger readers, it would be great to see individual details separately (like, a feather when feathers are mentioned). It is an adorable book, great photos of real living creatures, parents can elaborate describing the photos, but if you are having one of them days when your eloquence gone down the drain with the washing up soap, the book won't have much prompting (only a personal view).

The Bird Way: A New Look at How Birds Talk, Work, Play, Parent, and Think

Ackerman's Genius of Birds was rightly acclaimed for its insights into our avian neighbors. The Birds Way adds again to our world and understanding-- with the same great writing and sound synthesis of what we know and our learning about the complex lives of birds. As we all sit at home looking out our windows more, and perhaps walk more thoughtfully through our neighborhoods and parks, the Birds Way is a good escape and illumination all at once. Different chapters are devoted to different elements of life-- and the chapter on "Birds of Play" was among my favorites. And perhaps, we too can regain our sense of play, for example, as Ackerman describes how ravens play, by observing the birds we see and finding joy in the recognition.

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

We have all seen hummingbirds throughout our lives. Author John Shewey magnificently pulls the curtain back to show us how complex, how territorial and how beautiful these wonderful birds really are. Whether you are a casual observer or an experienced ornithologist, this is a must have book. Regions of the country are covered, facts and fiction surrounding these birds are covered as well as a summary of species and plants you can easily get that attract them. In short, a wonderful way to spend a day learning about a bird that is usually shrouded in mystery. Shewey’s style of writing makes you feel like you are there with him, experiencing these things right beside him. A book that I know I will refer to again and again.

National Wildlife Federation®: Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife

Great book full of useful and easy to implement tips to attract and keep wildlife in your yard. David does an excellent job showcasing what can be done in suburban and urban yards to help wildlife flourish. Glossary of terms for the novice to refer to and nice lists of materials to use along with useful and non useful plants.

Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard

Professor Tallamy has a vision for our future that you need to read about. Imagine a world (I'm borrowing from his eighth chapter now) where you may look out of any window in your house and see a view of a national park, filled with wildlife and the vegetation that makes up their natural habitats. This is Tallamy's call for all of us to consider our properties as potential habitat for the birds, insects, and other critters that have been consistently misplaced by our yards. So what does he claim is "Nature's Best Hope?" It is plants native to our region, not the exotics we so often plant that can't be used by our native insects. It is then the native insects that so many birds and animals feed upon and serve to their young. It is then the native birds and animals that eat the insects, and from there the animals that eat them. "Nature's Best Hope" is returning our neighborhoods to as natural a habitat as we can make it after the bulldozers have left. It's giving back to our fellow inhabitants a place where they can live, grow and reproduce. It's returning as much of our property to a natural state as we comfortably can for their benefit. WE, then, are "Nature's Best Hope." This is something we all have the power to do. And Tallamy tells you how you can do it in simple steps. I've done it, so you can, too. His ideas work!