Birdology: 30 Activities and Observations for Exploring the World of Birds

by Monica Russo, Kevin Byron (Photographer)

Overview

AAAS Subaru SB&F Excellence in Science Finalist 2016
NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 2016

An engaging book that encourages young nature enthusiasts to explore the world of birds

This generously illustrated, full-color book teaches kids that birds can be seen almost anywhere: in city parks and streets, zoos, farms, and backyards. Using “Try This,” “Look For,” and “Listen For” prompts, Birdology promotes independent observation and analysis, writing and drawing skills, and nature literacy. Kids observe the diversity of shapes, colors, patterns, and behavior of birds; listen for their songs and the clap of wings; make a juice-box feeder; plant flowers that attract hummingbirds; start a birding journal and sketchbook; and much more. Other topics that are presented in clear, kid-friendly prose include migration, nesting, food, territories, and conservation and preservation. Additional resources, such as a glossary, bird orders and scientific names, bird and wildlife organizations, and “Teacher Topics” to initiate classroom discussion and investigation, are also included.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781613749494
Publisher:	Chicago Review Press, Incorporated
Publication date:	01/01/2015
Series:	Young Naturalists , #3
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	1,026,666
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	NC1070L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 18 Years

About the Author

Monica Russo is the author and illustrator of several children’s nature books, including Amazing Insects, Chilly Creatures, Tree Almanac, and Watching Nature. She wrote the “Nature Notes” column for southern Maine’s Sun Chronicle for many years. She is an experienced birdwatcher and a founding member of the Maine Entomological Society. Kevin Byron is a photographer who specializes in nature, wildlife, and ship images and whose work has appeared in many books, magazines, and newspapers, including BirdScope magazine, the Kennebunk Post, the New York Times, and Watching Nature. They both live in Kennebunk, Maine.

Editorial Reviews

"The activities are relatively simple and could easily be done independently or as a family or class project. For older readers or adults who hope to encourage young nature watchers, a thorough and interesting exploration.” —Kirkus


“This wide-format guide to everything avian is a great starting point for burgeoning bird-watchers. Each chapter offers a dizzying wealth of information about birds and their songs, field markings, beaks, wings, diet, behavior, habitats, and more.” —Booklist


“It is jam-packed, from cover to cover, with fascinating information, facts and tidbits about birds… This would be a great book to use in the classroom to supplement a unit on birds or simply to sit down and read for pleasure.” —KidsReads


“This is a great book for naturalists and bird watchers to share with a 7-to-12-year-old who wants to know what the feathered fuss is all about. Once you’ve got “Birdology,” you’ll both be singing its praises.” —The Bookworm Sez


“There are so many fascinating lessons about birds to be learned, and Monica Russo guides readers through that learning process in such a way that they can lead themselves to a better understanding of the birds common to their own cities and states. The book is fascinating to read, the photographs are wonderful to look at and Birdology does a delightful job of turning middle readers into young ornithologists and protectors of planet earth.” —Smart Books for Smart Kids

From the Publisher

01/01/2015
Gr 4–6—One way to address today's "nature deficit" is to focus on the birds outside almost every window. Observation activities set off in color text boxes are designed to develop observation skills and cultivate an understanding of bird behavior. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of birds, such as field marks, beaks and feet, wings, eyes and nests, and more. Feathers make birds unique, and the first chapter describes the different kinds. Color photos of wing and tail feathers highlight their different shapes, and photographs of birds in flight show how the feathers function. One "Eyes Only" box explains that since picking up a wild bird feather is not only illegal but also not healthy, looking without touching is best. "Try This" boxes highlight such activities as bird feeding, walking like a heron, and building a small brush pile where birds can roost. One "Listen For" alerts novice bird observers to figure out different bird songs, calls and alarm signals, and the honking and quacking of birds in flight. An excellent glossary of "Bird Words" provides definitions, and the four-page index differentiates pictures from text with italics. Beautifully illustrated with full color photographs and sketches, this is sure to create new bird watchers.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library, VA

School Library Journal

2014-10-22
A longtime nature columnist invites young people to use their eyes, ears, hands and minds to learn about birds. More than an introduction, this is an immersion in the world of birding. Chapter by chapter, the author discusses field marks, beaks and feet, wings, eyes and nests, habitats, feeding, migration, and ways to protect and nurture birds. Each chapter also includes directions for activities: things to look and listen for, things to make and do. The author's stated aim is "to foster independent study by careful observation and hands-on activities." While many of the birds described and pictured are labeled, the focus isn't naming but what else readers might learn through close attention. Her lengthy text is full of information, presented in a chatty, conversational way that often directly addresses readers: "By now you might be confused…." While the author adds interesting facts about birds from faraway places, she's mostly discussing birds that will be familiar to residents of the United States and southern Canada. (Both author and photographer live in Maine.) She even suggests observing chickens. The activities are relatively simple and could easily be done independently or as a family or class project. For older readers or adults who hope to encourage young nature watchers, a thorough and interesting exploration. (Nonfiction. 9 & up)

Kirkus Reviews