Backyard Birding for Kids: An Introduction to Ornithology

Backyard Birding for Kids: An Introduction to Ornithology

by Erika Zambello
Backyard Birding for Kids: An Introduction to Ornithology

Backyard Birding for Kids: An Introduction to Ornithology

by Erika Zambello

Paperback

$12.95 
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Overview

With bird facts, an identification guide, and how-to instructions, this is a perfect children’s introduction to bird-watching.

You’ve seen birds in your backyard or at the local park. Now become a young ornithologist. Learn all about the scientific study of birds. Author, birder, and outdoors researcher Erika Zambello presents a kids’ introduction to birding. The children’s book, ideal for early and middle-grade readers, conveys fascinating information for beginners. Kids gain an understanding of such topics as bird anatomy, life cycle, and habitat.

From there, readers are introduced to 60 different species of important birds to know. With chickadees, hummingbirds, owls, woodpeckers, and more, the field guide section serves as an identification aid and offers information about when to look, where to look, and what to look for.

A how-to section provides advice to help children get started birding—with practical tips on attracting birds to their yards. There are also fun activities for the entire family to enjoy, a wonderful way to turn birding into a shared hobby. The activities range from simple, like leaving out nesting materials, to advanced, such as planting a bird- and pollinator-friendly garden.

Inside You’ll Find

  • how-to section, including details on getting started
  • The basics of ornithology
  • Identification guide to common and important birds to know
  • Bird-related activities that the entire family can enjoy

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781647552237
Publisher: Adventure Publications, Incorporated
Publication date: 06/14/2022
Series: Simple Introductions to Science
Pages: 136
Sales rank: 208,921
Product dimensions: 5.00(w) x 7.00(h) x 0.28(d)
Lexile: 1070L (what's this?)
Age Range: 6 - 12 Years

About the Author

From her home base in North Florida, Erika Zambello has explored hundreds of ecological research sites, estuarine research reserves, national parks, state parks, and national wildlife refuges across the Southeast and around the country. She is a National Geographic Young Explorer and serves on the board of the National Parks Traveler. She holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Management from the Duke Nicholas School of the Environment (where she specialized in Ecosystem Science and Conservation) and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Communication from the Universityof West Florida. As a writer, her work has been featured in National Geographic Adventure, National Geographic Voices, Backpacker, Florida Sportsman, and more.

Read an Excerpt

Getting Started as a Birder

The only thing you really need to be a good birder is curiosity about the natural world. You can see birds everywhere, from the pigeons and sparrows of the city to the robins and jays of suburban neighborhoods to the meadowlarks and bluebirds of open fields.

Look at each bird carefully, and if it helps, take notes on what you observe. What color are they, and where are the colors on the bird’s body? What does the bill look like? Approximately how big is the bird? Importantly, note the habitat in which the bird appears. Some species, like Belted Kingfishers, are only found near water, while others, including Pine Warblers, prefer specific species of trees. The more you bird, the more these relationships will stand out to you.

Though you don’t need anything but your eyes and ears for birding, there are a few tools to help make identification easier.

Binoculars: Binoculars zoom in on the bird, making it easier to spot a bird’s distinguishing field marks, or traits, that distinguish it from other species.

Camera: If you have a camera with a zoom lens, you can take a photo of the bird you see and use field guides or the internet to help make an identification.

Field guides: Field guides are illustrated with drawings or photographs to show you how to tell different bird species apart. Today, there are online field guides and apps, like the Merlin ID app by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology or the Bird Guide App by the National Audubon Society.

Notebook: A notebook is super helpful to keep track of the birds you see, the field marks you notice, as well as your observations about bird habitat.

Table of Contents

My Spark Bird

About Birds

How Birds Evolved

Flight & Anatomy

Life Cycle

Different Kinds of Flight

Migration

Changing Plumage

Bird Types

Habitat

Conservation

Getting Started as a Birder

Where and How to Look

The Birds

Birding Projects, Community Science, and More

Recommended Reading

Glossary

Your Birding Life List

About the Author

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