Wild About Birds

Bird watching in winter may seem like a strange idea at first—aren’t birds supposed to head south when it gets cold? While some species do migrate to warmer climates, many birds stay put, adapting to the cold temperatures in surprising ways. Plus, some species that you only see in winter can be just as stunning and fascinating as those that show up again in spring! Birds of Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia by Bruce Beehler can help you identify the birds already at your backyard feeder. This book has a fantastic breakdown of birding seasons, with information on what to expect to see from the birds in your backyard throughout the year. You’ll learn what to expect from the early spring (which for birds starts this month in February!) all the way through the year!

Don’t have a lot of feathered friends visiting your backyard? One of the easiest ways to get into birding is by setting up a bird feeder! Fill it with seeds and watch as the birds come to you. You might be surprised by what you see! If you want to really give your birds a treat, check out The Backyard Bird Feeders Bible by Sally Roth. From bird-friendly planting guides to recipes for snacks and treats your feathered friends will love, this book will make your birdfeeder the most popular spot in the neighborhood.

Once you’ve set up your feeder and have an idea of what kinds of birds you might see in your backyard oasis, National Geographic’s Birding Basics: Tips, Tools & Techniques For Great Bird-Watching by Noah Strycker is an awesome introduction to Birding and bird-watching. It has a step-by-step guide to identifying birds by plumage, color, beak, and even sound! It also breaks down many of the cool tools you can use to help on your birding adventure, from resources on choosing and using a field guide to leveling up your birding with tips on using tools like binoculars and cameras! 

Birding field guides are visual catalogs that help to identify birds you might see in the wild. They are often broken down into sections by region, so it’s easier to narrow down the birds you’re most likely to see locally! Field guides are essential for any birder, so choosing the right one for you is a great first step. Some field guides have photographs of each type of bird, while others have very detailed illustrations and descriptions of the birds you might see. You can also keep your own field guide with a winter bird journal! Record the birds you see, their locations, and any interesting behaviors. You can even draw pictures of the birds you spot!

You can find many field guides at the library! You can look on the shelf under the Dewey Decimal number 598 for bird-related research and information, or you can check out some of the titles listed below!

Peterson Field Guide To North American Bird Nests By Casey Mcfarland

“A comprehensive field guide to the nests and nesting behavior of North American birds.”

– Provided by publisher

The Sibley Field Guide To Birds Of Eastern North America By David Allen Sibley

A guide for bird enthusiasts specifically designed for use in the field features descriptions of 650 species of birds from east of the Rocky Mountains, and illustrations that depict species from different views.

Birds Of Maryland & Delaware Field Guide By Stan Tekiela

“Make bird-watching in Maryland and Delaware even more enjoyable. With Stan Tekiela’s famous bird guide, field identification is simple and informative. There’s no need to look through dozens of photos of birds that don’t live in your area. This handy book features 148 species of Maryland and Delaware birds-including Washington, D.C., and the Chesapeake Bay-organized by color for ease of use. Full-page photographs present the species as you’ll see them in nature, and a “compare” feature helps you to decide between look-alikes.”

– Provided by publisher

National Audubon Society’s First Field Guide: Birds By Scott Weidensaul

An informative, visual guide to the natural science of birds as well as a field guide to over 150 species found in North America.

A Field Guide To Backyard Birds Of North America By Rob Hume

A beautifully illustrated visual directory of more than 50 of the most popular North American birds with a logbook to record two years of bird-watching discoveries. Whether you’re just getting started birding or want to build on your existing knowledge, this handbook provides you with all you need, making it the companion in the field. Inside this gorgeously illustrated guide, you’ll find: The basics of bird-watching, including when, where, and what to look for, as well as how to take accurate notes and make sketches. A fascinating introduction to the amazing world of birds, including facts on their origin, anatomy, feathers, calls and postures, courtship, nests, feeding, and migration habits. Superbly detailed and realistic illustrations that show each bird’s distinctive colors and plumage. A unique logbook, filled with tips to get the most out of bird-watching, so you can chart your own findings and observations over 2 years. More than 50 of the most commonly seen birds in the United States in one comprehensive species catalog. How to turn your own backyard into a safe and hospitable bird reserve. Sized perfectly to fit into a shoulder bag next to your binoculars, A Field Guide to Backyard Birds of North America is the one book you won’t want to leave home without.