The Hummingbird Book: The Complete Guide to Attracting, Identifying, and En

Product Information

Do Hummingbirds Hum?: Fascinating Answers to Questions About Hummingbirds George C. West and Carol A. Butler Rutgers University Press Hummingbirds are the most amazing birds in the world, in my opinion. This book is full of copious details about hummingbirds, their biology, their lives, where they live, and more. If you ever wanted to learn more about hummingbirds, I recommend this book. It has plenty of stunning photos of hummingbirds in action, but it also has detailed text that tells about the different species found in North America (all of them). There is a nice section at the end with colorful and amazing images of the hummingbirds from South America, which are literally stunning! They are just so beautiful. I may be biased since I just love hummingbirds, but I think you will just love this book. This book is the first ever, comprehensive photographic guide to the identification of all 24 species of hummingbirds to be seen as breeders or vagrants in North America. For all their startling colors, the speed of hummingbird flight and the often drab coloration of females and immatures make this group especially difficult to deal with in the field. The simple field marks are often poorly lit, hard to spot, or simply not shown by any particular individual under observation. But accurate identification of these popular and beautiful birds brings both real satisfaction and a welcome challenge to most birders. Steve Howell, a well-known and respected bird tour leader and author, has made a particular study of the finer points of hummingbird recognition and has specially chosen over 200 stunning photographs to complement the information given in his text. Some species feature as many as 14 photographs each. A detailed introduction covers the basics of hummingbird anatomy and plumage variation, allowing the observer to effectively focus on points that are of value in the field. New field marks are provided and old myths dispelled in this ground breaking and essential new guide." Hummingbirds must be the most striking and fascinating birds on the planet and this book contains stunning and achingly beautiful photography, information and descriptions of these tiny creatures. If this book doesn't entice you to read/learn more about them, nothing will! I just love it. It is like a dream come true for a novice hummingbird observer like me! Hummingbirds of North America: Attracting, Feeding, and Photographing Dan True University of New Mexico Press

From the preface: "The preparation of the present volume was commenced in the year 1887, but its publication has been delayed from several causes: the desire of profiting by the most recent attempts at classification rendered changes in the serial arrangement of the families necessary; Mr. Salvin, who at first intended to undertake the whole of the Macrochirous families, together with the Podargidae, was prevented by other engagements from proceeding beyond the Trochilidae, so that a substitute had to be introduced to the work; and, finally, the material to be catalogued was unusually heavy, as it not only comprises the two largest collections of Humming-Birds that have been made hitherto, viz. those of the late Mr. J. Gould and of Messrs. Godman and Salvin, but was also increased by the accessions of the last four years. Consequently the contents of this volume greatly exceed those of any of the previous ones, as will be seen from the following statement: Upupae, 16; Trochili, 482; Cypselidae, 78; Caprimulgidae, 86; Podargidae, 24; Steatornithidae 1. Of the 687 species recorded, 50 are not represented in the Museum; but besides the 211 types of species admitted as valid, the Collection contains 62 other typical specimens, the names of which are now relegated to the synonymic lists. With regard to the types of Trochilidae, their number cannot bo given with absolute certainty, as Gould did not always pay regard to distinctive labelling or to the preservation of individual specimens which he would have wished to be regarded as the types of the species named and described by him." The book is relatively short, so it may not be a good choice for someone looking for an in-depth exploration of hummingbirds.

Other Interesting Facts and Stories

If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to hummingbirds, the Birds & Blooms Ultimate Guide to Hummingbirds is a great option. The book includes everything from basic information, to myths, to plants that will attract them, and different hummingbirds in different areas of the world. The World of Hummingbirds: An Illustrated Guide to These Marvels of Nature Tony Tilford Random House Hummingbirds. Is there any other species of bird that so immediately conjures up images of shimmery colors and blurry wings? Books about hummingbirds come in many different forms, from field guides to coffee table books. They can provide information on hummingbird behavior, migration patterns, and habitat, as well as stunning photographs and illustrations. Whether you are a casual bird watcher or a serious enthusiast, there is a hummingbird book out there for you.

First, make sure you read this on a colour tablet, or computer. Or better yet, buy the book. It would be a wonderful coffee-table addition. The pictures just pop. They are just a beautiful representation of an amazing bird. Some of the amazing things I've learned....there are over 340 species of these wonderful birds...the largest of them does not even weigh an ounce....they can fly amazing distances -- one flew from Tennessee to Alaska in 5 months.....their heart is 2.5 percent of their body weight (ours is .3). This companion volume to Hummingbirds: Their Life and Behavior sharpens the focus on the Caribbean Islands, home of the most resplendent and beautiful birds of the western hemisphere. 266 full-color photographs." In Do Hummingbirds Hum? George C. West, who has studied and banded over 13,500 hummingbirds in Arizona, and Carol A. Butler provide an overview of hummingbird biology for the general reader, and more detailed discussions of their morphology and behavior for those who want to fly beyond the basics. Enriched with beautiful and rare photography, including a section in vivid color, this engaging question and answer guide offers readers a wide range of information about these glorious pollinators as well as tips for attracting, photographing, and observing hummingbirds in the wild or in captivity."This title paints a detailed portrait of the best-known hummingbird in the US, recounting its life cycle through accounts of a typical day in its life and stories of the birds' migrations between their summer breeding grounds and their winter homes. It also reveals how to identify males, females, young and mature birds." The Hummingbird Bible is easy to read and understand, thanks to its enhanced typesetting and text-to-speech features. While some readers may find the information repetitive, it’s still a valuable resource for anyone looking to attract, identify, feed, and protect hummingbirds.