Stokes Beginner's Guide to Hummingbirds

I got 3 of these to give as gifts along with a hummingbird feeder. 2 of them went to 8 year olds and the other to my father. They are written for all ages to read and understand. Great information and great pictures.

answered all my questions,THANKS

I got an Oasis feeder ( Perky Pet 221 Hummingbird Oasis Feeder, 16 oz capacity ) (which I strongly endorse) for our balcony and we've had a steady stream of little guys coming by for a few months now. It didn't take long after the the traffic started that we were noticing many different types of hummingbirds, so it seemed only right to try and figure out who these freeloaders were.I ordered this for my wife not really thinking it would be anything more than a nice gesture, but she's jumped on it like I never expected. She leaves it next to the patio door so that when we spot a bird at the feeder, she can go close, grab the book and make an ID. Actually, more often (since I have better eyes), she's often rattling off attributes for me to spot. Working together, we're usually able to track down the species within about thirty seconds, which must be some kind of testament to the book's ease of use when identifying by characteristic. Even better, once we think we've narrowed it down, there are plenty of vivid pictures of male, female, and juvenile examples of each species.Little extras like the maps of each species' distribution are nice so we don't do something silly like assume we're seeing a bird that belongs in Maine hanging out at our feeder in California. And though not extensive, the book does pack a bunch of tidbits into each section, such as which species might dominate others when claiming turf at a feeder or suggesting flowers that will lure more birds into your yard.I actually started this review giving it four stars, then realized just how much is packed into this little reference at a good price, if that's any indication of how helpful it is.

Beautiful pictures and great information.

Last Spring we helped my mother clean her garage and came across two Perky Pet feeders, both brand new and in their original boxes. Mom did not want them, so we gave one to a neighbor and brought the other one home.In a few weeks we had a madhouse of hummingbirds fighting for the nectar so we purchased a second feeder... nectar carnage really... at the height of their activity they were emptying both, one 16 oz and the other 32, in about 2 days time. We were (and still are) amazed at the beauty of these tiny, wonderfully colored creatures. Green, yellow, blue and kinda magenta hummingbirds flying around in singles and in pairs, and they are awesome to watch.Picked up this little book for my wife as a Christmas gift, and have had a blast reading through it (hmmm... she's gonna be able to tell its not exactly new anymore, I guess). Until now, I did not realize that one species of hummingbird could come in multiple varieties of colors. Ruby-Throated hummers certainly, and Rufous too. Not sure if others.Great picture and nice distribution mapping. I know she will like it as much as I do, and it probably will live the rest of its life on the table near the feeders.Highly recommended! Totally fascinating.

Was so glad I had this book on hand to try to identify the hummingbird at my feeder in late November. We usually just have Ruby-throated hummingbirds, with an occasional Rufous hummingbird in central Illinois. This book has such detailed pictures of the hummingbirds listed--at every stage of development. I had an "odd" marked hummingbird that I suspected was a "migrant" for our area. I snapped a picture and sent it off via email to the state orinthologist that bands hummingbirds every year at my home.He responded immediately that he sent the picture to several other hummingbird experts and several of them seemed to think that, maybe, I had an Anna's hummingbird at my feeder. I got out this book, and told him that, yes, it was the marked like the immature Anna's male listed. He came the next morning, caught and banded the hummingbird. I am proud to say, I was feeding the first ever documented Anna's hummingbird in the state of Illinois! I ended up with quite a following of birders to my yard to witness this special visitor. So, in closing, I would say that if you have a love for hummingbirds, no matter where you live in the United States, get this book! You too could have a "migrant" bird that has lost his way, and for those lucky enough to have a variety of the these little jewels, this book is invaluable in identifying who is visiting your yard!

This book was chosen to address my high school son's interest to identify hummingbirds with less emphasis on the lives and behavior of the little birds (there is brief information about such but this is less for the general bird enthusiast than those starting out to "know" what is being seen.

Information is good but size of book is not for anyone with eye problems. I ordered it for someone whodoes have problem so now I must keep book. Photo on website looks like nice regular size book but it isvery small. Just keep that in mind if you consider this book. I will be looking for something larger.

Just received this book. I wish I had it earlier this year when we were trying to determine the different hummers as they arrived at the feeders. I will be studying this guide over the winter months as we prepare for next years return.

petit livret anglophone broché souple petit format horizontal de 2002 décrivant 16 espèces nord-américaines de colibris, classées selon une méthode originale par couleurs; après une quarantaine de pages d'introduction, l'ouvrage accorde à chaque espèce de 4 à 8 pages avec texte systématisé, carte de distribution et plusieurs belles photos couleur; ce petit guide moderne exhaustif pourra prendre place dans les bagages de tout amateur d'oiseaux partant pour l'ouest des USA; mais pourquoi ne pas investir plutôt dans un guide de terrain plus complet et costaud comme on en trouve beaucoup même à bas prix en seconde main; sinon, peut prendre place dans dans votre bibliothèque pour consultation

Exactly what I was looking for.