Birds are cool. The variety of shapes, colors and sizes of birds makes them stand out. And the fact that most of them can fly causes us to be in awe of these feathered wonders. This book features a few of the over 10,000 species of birds that share this planet with us. It is hoped that these pages will inspire you to watch the birds in your own neighborhood and to connect with the natural world.

Birds A to Z uses an accessible and successful format to describe a selection of 26 birds. Each page features two full-color photographs of the bird, one or two descriptive paragraphs and a fact box that provides at-a-glance details on each entry's Latin name, diet, range, length, weight, wingspan and nest location.

The 26 birds are:

• Anhinga
• Bluebird
• Chickadee
• Duck
• Egret
• Falcon
• Gallinule
• Hummingbird
• Ibis
• Jay
• Kingfisher
• Loon
• Meadowlark
• Nighthawk
• Owl
• Pelican
• Quail
• Raven
• Skimmer
• Tanager
• Upland sandpiper
• Vulture
• Woodpecker
• Xantus' murrelet
• Yellowleg
• Zone-tailed hawk.

Accurate and up-to-date but with an informal presentation, Birds A to Z is an engaging view into the avian world.

Reviews

Each page presents bird species in alphabetical order; the species names are accompanied by fantastic photographs and information boxes, which include Latin name, wingspan, and where the species can be found. The short description for each bird species offers interesting facts and information that will encourage readers to continue turning pages. Readers of all ages who are amateur birders will take flight with the newly acquired bird facts from Birds A to Z! (Samantha D'Acunto New York Botanical Garden Blog 2018-05-30)

The photographs of each bird are quite good, and the descriptions, while brief, are adequate.... Readers should appreciate the variety of sizes, shapes, and colors of birds and, hopefully, will become interested in watching birds through having read this book. The book also could inspire an appreciation of the environment and a wider interest in nature. (Edward I. Saiff, Ramapo College of New Jersey Science Books and Film)

Colorful photographs and boxed inserts and a glossary provide snapshots of information about 26 birds ranging from North America to South America. Students interested in birds will enjoy this thin introduction to birds, many of which might be found near their own homes. (Nancy Stroud INFOLINK 2010-05-21)

This is not an alphabet book, though its organization belies that fact! Each page includes at least one photograph and fact box on the featured bird and the layout and composition make this as attractive to browsers as it is to researchers. A sort of a precursor to a field guide in its layout, this book also includes a brief glossary. (School Library Journal 2010-09-09)

About the Authors

Chris G. Earley is the interpretive biologist at the University of Guelph's Arboretum and author of Hawks and Owls, Sparrows and Finches and Warblers, all specific to the Great Lakes and Eastern North America regions.

Robert McCaw is an award-winning nature and wildlife photographer whose work has appeared in more than 300 books, calendars and magazines, including Audubon, National Geographic and Natural History.