National Geographic Backyard Guide to the Birds of North America - Couverture souple

Alderfer, Jonathan; Hess, Paul

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 1426207204 ISBN 13 : 9781426207204

Editeur : National Geographic, 2011

Synopsis

Essential for the millions of Americans who watch and feed birds in their backyards―whether experienced birders or new birding enthusiasts―from the experts at National Geographic and co-author of the popular and perennial best seller Field Guide to the Birds of North America.   No matter where you live―in the country, city, a high-rise or house―this handy guide will quench your curiosity about the feathered creatures in your midst. It features 150 of the most common and interesting birds likely to be observed at backyard feeders, nesting nearby or just migrating through. An indispensable visual index of all 150 species appears on the inside front and back laminated covers, making identification a snap.   Beginning with Backyard Basics, an easy-to-follow, richly illustrated presentation on observing and identifying birds―with tips on attracting and feeding your favorite birds, birdhouses, and bird-friendly landscapes to entice nesting―the book is full of National Geographic’s iconic field guide images and maps.   Core species on everyone’s list―such as robins, woodpeckers, bluebirds and chickadees―are featured in two-page spreads including practical tips with additional imagery. Sidebars captivate with interesting and little known facts.

A propos du livre

À propos de l?auteur

JONATHAN ALDERFER is a nationally known bird artist and author who has worked on a number of National Geographic's birding books. His previous titles for National Geographic include Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern North America, Field Guide to the Birds of Western North America, Illustrated Birds, Birding Essentials, and Complete Birds of North America. PAUL HESS, former chair of the Pennsylvania Ornithological Records Committee, is department editor for the "News and Notes" column in Birding magazine. A retired newspaper editor, he writes an "Ornithological Literature Notes" column for the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology newsletter and has written many articles in the journal of Pennsylvania Birds.

Extrait. © Reproduit sur autorisation. Tous droits réservés.

The Best Foods to Attract Birds to Your Backyard
 
Seeds, staples of backyard bird feeding, come in a sometimes confusing variety. Yet a few basic types will satisfy a diverse clientele. Other foods may attract different birds.
 
• Sunflower seeds: These come in two kinds. The smaller black-oil sunflower seeds will bring the greatest variety of species, from chickadees and titmice to jays. The larger striped type is better for strong-billed birds such as Purple Finches and Evening Grosbeaks. Even woodpeckers will visit a hopper or tray feeder for sunflower seeds.
 
• Mixed seeds: A birdseed mix should be an important part of any backyard menu, but quality varies greatly. The best mixtures are combinations of black-oil sunflower, white proso millet, bits of nuts and corn, and perhaps safflower as well. Avoid the least expensive mixtures, which are filled with the small globes of red milo, which very few birds except doves eat.
 
• Nuts and corn: Almost all seed-eating birds will enjoy unsalted nuts broken into bits with a rolling pin, and larger birds including jays will like cracked corn (although rake it up if it gets wet). Scatter the nuts and corn on the ground and hope that the birds will get their fair share before the squirrels arrive for breakfast.
 
• Suet and peanut butter: These are high-energy winter foods loved by many species. See page 23 for tips on how to provide them. Suet is favored especially by woodpeckers. Peanut butter is a source of crucial energy for birds in winter, and it can be lifesaving for Carolina Wrens at the northern end of their range in a harsh season.
 
• Fruits: Oranges cut in half or apples and other fruits cut in pieces are favorites of orioles, especially when they return in the spring to breed. Berries are a favored winter food for thrushes, Cedar Waxwings, and Yellow-rumped Warblers, but these are best provided by landscaping with shrubs that will be loaded with berries during fall and winter.
 
 • Specialties: Experiment with other types of foods such as mealworms, which parents feed to nestlings; crushed oyster shell, a source of calcium; or stone grit, which various birds require to crush foods in their gizzard. Avoid using old bread.
 
• Hummingbird food: Nothing beats the classic, simple recipe of one part white granulated sugar to four parts water. Boil the water, then add the sugar and stir. Don’t use food coloring or artificial sweetener.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: National Geographic
• Date d'édition: 2011
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 1426207204
• ISBN 13: 9781426207204
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 256
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINEMENT EUROPE; https://en.bandainamcoent.eu/about-us?_gl=1*t4w0oc*_gcl_au*MjAzOTA3ODUyNS4xNzEyOTE3Mjky; ; 49-51 RUE DES DOCKS; LYON CEDEX 09; France