Into the Nest

January 26, 2015
Erickson (101 Ways to Help Birds) and photographer Read (Secret Lives of Common Birds) team up to describe in words and photos the courting, mating, nesting, and parenting styles of nearly 50 bird species found throughout North America. Each species description includes such information as âFamily Secrets,â âFlight Paths,â and âOn the Menu,â providing insights into migration patterns, food consumption, and little-known species-specific facts. Did you know that Mallard ducklings can walk and swim within hours of hatching? That female raptors are larger than their male counterparts, because females most often protect the nest? Or that Great Horned Owls are surprisingly tender with their mates and young? These fascinating avian facts (and many more) will keep both experienced birders and the backyard variety enthralled as they peruse the beautifully photographed pages of this book, which is produced in association with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The book also contains helpful maps of breeding cycles, a resource list, and a glossary.

March 1, 2015

Gr 6 Up-This information-rich introduction to avian reproductive behavior covers topics such as why some birds engage in elaborate mating rituals, how they form strong pair bonds, and how they produce eggs. The first section, "Courting and Mating," covers general behavior. Color photographs illustrate examples of courtship, while the clear text explains egg production and hatching. The rest of the book delves into species-specific content, with each readable, fact-packed chapter tackling a different bird, such as the thrush, wren, oriole, hummingbird, bald eagle, and peregrine falcon. The material is further broken down into subtopics, including "Pairing Up and Nesting," "Parenting," and "Flight Path" (or how long it takes before the young can fly). Attractive photos can be found on every page, revealing parents interacting with their young. Color-coded maps feature information on each species' typical clutch size, eggshell color, and number of broods per season. VERDICT A wonderful addition to any ornithology section.-Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library, VA

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2015
First and foremost, the photographs are stunning. Each short chapter contains a dozen or so full-color pictures of a select group of the 700 bird species that breed in North America. The accompanying text describes mating rituals, nest building, and parenting in brief paragraphs but highlights intriguing habits unique to each bird. For example, flickers participate in the wicka dance, crows bow to each other and mate for life, and robins have an unusual daily schedule to facilitate their dietary needs, so they really can catch the early worm. The relevancy of the details makes Into the Nest a useful title for backyard birders, but the photographs, which include everything from nests and eggs to nestlings and adult birds, make it highly appealing to browsers as well. Erickson and Read also provide vivid images of hatching, feeding, and flying that are equally educational and endearing. It is hard to resist a baby bird, and there are plenty of them here, with baby owls winning the cute prize. Smart, sweet, and irresistible.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)