Audubon Guide: Birds

Written by Scott Weidensaul

National Audubon Society’s First Field Guide for Birds features the top 50 native birds found across North America, as well as 125 other species. The guide is neatly divided into four separate sections for quick reference.

The first section will teach your child how birds are named, why they fly so well, how they migrate, nest and so on. You will also learn about necessary or suggested equipment young naturalists can take out into the field to help them identify species and take notes. Codes of ethics are also touched upon in this section since it is very important to tread lightly in the natural world and to be careful about disrupting habitat and wildlife.

Section two is all about the birds’ anatomy and feathers. This section describes how to identify species using colours, markings, shapes, bills and beaks, wings and tails, as well as their song.

Endangered species are also touched on so that children can understand how important birds and their habitats are to our ecosystem.

The main chapters include the actual field guide which exhibits beautiful coloured photographs, the birds’  ranges, habitats and , most importantly, details that will help with identification.

The reference section is last and it provides a glossary of terms used by professionals and a list of resources for further study and help (includes books, organizations and websites). There is also an index of all of the birds identified in the book.

This guide is the perfect size for a young child to take into the field along with a small set of binoculars and a pad of paper. It features beautiful photographs of each bird to help the young ornithologist identify common birds and it also shows them two other birds from the same family, on the same page. The book, and each page, is well organized with just enough information and interesting facts to satisfy the budding naturalist.

What a fantastic introduction to get kids interested and actively participating in observing the natural world around them. They will learn to watch the birds’ behaviours while enjoying their antics and the variety of beautiful songs that each bird sings.

If you want to show your kids a great website that is filled with activities about birds and other wildlife, then go to Audubon Just For Kids!!  (http://web4.audubon.org/educate/kids/)

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