BIRDPEDIA

A captivating A-Z treasury about birds and birding Birdpedia is an engaging illustrated compendium of bird facts and birding lore.

Featuringnearly 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 allthings avian.

Christopher Leahy sheds light on "hawk-watching," "twitching," and other rituals from thesometimes mystifying world of birding that entail a good deal more than their namesimply. He explains what kind of bird's nests you can eat, why mocking birds mock, andmany other curiosities that have induced otherwise sane people to peer into treetopsusing outrageously expensive optical equipment. Leahy shares illuminating insights aboutpioneering ornithologists such as John James Audubon and Florence Bailey, and describesunique bird behaviors such as anting, caching, duetting, and mobbing. He discusses avianfossils, 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 onyour own avian adventures.

With charming illustrations by Abby McBride, Birdpedia is a marvelous mix of fact andfancy that is certain to delight seasoned birders and armchair naturalists alike.

Christopher W. Leahy holds the Gerard A. Bertrand Chair of Natural History and Field Ornithology (Emeritus) at the Massachusetts Audubon Society.
Abby McBride is a sketch biologist. She travels globally to write and illustrate stories about ecological research for outlets such as National Geographic and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.