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Bird watching is one of North America's favorite outdoor pastimes, yet few members of the avian family create as much excitement as does a hummingbird when it pays a visit. Beautiful and delicate, pugnacious and tame, these fairy-like birds with their rainbow plumage can dive into a garden with little fanfare and instantaneously cast their magical spell. That's why educators and librarians will love Firefly Books' spectacularly-illustrated fact-filled new title, Hummingbirds: A Beginner's Guide. It's the perfect new resource for hummingbird students, whether they're in middle school or adults. Written by award-winning author Laurel Aziz, this must-have science reference guides readers to explore the hummingbird's intricate beauty and charm, while understanding their exquisite physical nature. Boasting a compelling easy-to-read text, a stunning wealth of full-color photographs with fascinating descriptive captions, helpful maps and exciting graphics throughout, this title delivers a solid introduction to the world's 330 hummingbird species. Covering all aspects of hummingbirds, it's divided into these three sections: • Physical – explains the significance of a hummingbird's size, how they're bodies and wings are built for performance, why they push the edge of the metabolic envelope, how their bills come in all shapes and sizes, why their eyes occupy a proportionately large volume of their heads, and what's so extraordinary about their feathers • Behavior – addresses how hummingbirds defend their food sources, how their lives revolve around feasting on flowers, why they're called the Hercules of the bird world, what their dating and mating routine is, where they live, how they lay eggs, why the female is in charge of raising the chicks, why their brain-to-body weight ratio is the largest of all birds, and how they're often on the move questing a good supply of nectar • Ecology – spotlights how hummingbirds have adapted to their environment over time, why their partnership with flowers is mutually beneficial, how explorers and scientists have historically classified them, why many species are vulnerable to the destruction of their habitat, how humans can provide a safe haven for them, and how they've been symbolically important to cultures around the world throughout history Researchers wanting to dive deeper into learning about hummingbirds will be pleased to discover the extensive listing of online information sources included in Hummingbirds. A detailed index completes this engaging journey through the world of "hummers." Laurel Aziz is the author of Decoys, Wildfowl Art and Yellowstone, and is the co-author of Animal Architecture and Exploring the World of Birds, all from Firefly. She's also a regular contributor to several magazines devoted to wildlife. |
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