Birds

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The “Terror Birds”, or “Phorusrhacids”, are a grown of carnivorous (meat-eating) predatory birds that were amongst the top predators of South America for most of the Cenozoic Era (the amount of time since the dinosaurs became exintct, i.e. the last 65 million years). The Phorusrhacids were an exceedingly successful group and only became extinct comparatively recently.

The basi Phorusrhacids are believed to have evolved for the duration of the Paleocene epoch, in regards to 62 million years ago. During this period, South America was an island continent (a status which it would retain for in regards to the next 60 million years), and the Phorusrhacids grew into a successful group.

The majority of Phorusrhacids were comparatively small, standing just to 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 meters) high. There were nevertheless exceptions, the greatest species could grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) tall. Phorusrhacids were flightless, but were in all likelihood fast runners. They were equipped with powerful claws on their feet, and a hooked eagle-like beak that surely would have been a very effective weapon. In the majority of species, the wings of these birds were stubby and useless, but in one species, Titanis, the wings may have evolved a claw-equipped finger that could have been employed as a weapon versus prey.

Around 3 million years ago, the Isthmus of Panama arose, joining North and South America, and extenuating the interchange of animals amid the two continents. This event grant a lot of species of Phorusrhacids to disseminate to North America (including Titanis), but was in the end their undoing. The Phorusrhacids became extinct because of climate and habitat changes as well as increased contest from incoming animals, including from Smilodon, the so-called “saber-toothed tiger”.

Essential for the approximated 62 million Americans who watch and feed birds in their backyards—from the experts at National Geographic and co-author of the general 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 with regards to the feathered creatures in your midst. It features 150 of the most mutual and interesting birds likely to be observed at backyard feeders, nesting nearby or just migrating through. An important 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 formally presenting something on watching and identifying birds—with tips on attracting and feeding your bestloved 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 further and added imagery. Sidebars captivate with interesting and little known facts.

Backyard Guide to Birds is linked to even more content, including audio of each of the book’s 150 birds’ songs and calls at nationalgeographic.com/birding.

Review”Valuable, as both a reference and as a ‘browsing’ book.” –Bird Watchers Digest

“Like everything published by the National Geographic Society, it’s basi rate…many of the bird illustrations painted by the foremost birding artisan Jonathan Alderfer…What sets [it] apart is the inclusion of photographs, lists of preferent foods and nesting habitats, seasonal range maps, and keys to identification — all tailored toward the backyard birder. –Plain Dealer (Cleveland)

“A outstanding book to give to those backyard birdwatchers in your life–or any friend or neighbor who might be grateful for the birds in their yard…attractively designed and chock-full of utile and interesting information…provides numerous ways to approach, identify, and take pleasure in birds. Each division includes remarkable features that make it not only gorgeous but useful.” –The Birdchaser

“A handy-sized, easy-to-use tool for backyard birding…The data on each species is superb…fascinating nuggets…” –Birdfreak.com

About the AuthorJonathan Alderfer is a nationally known bird artisan and author who has worked on a number of National Geographic’s birding books. His former 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.

Jon L. Dunn and Louise Zemaitis, writers and experts on bird feeding, landscaping for birds, butterflies, and birding for children, will bestow to the book.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.The Best Foods to Attract Birds to Your Backyard

Seeds, staples of backyard bird feeding, come in a on occasion mixing up variety. Yet a few basic types will satisfy a diverse clientele. Other foods may attract dissimilar birds.

• Sunflower seeds: These come in two kinds. The littler black-oil sunflower seeds will fetch the greatest assortment of species, from chickadees and titmice to jays. The more prominent 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 must be an essential portion of any backyard menu, but quality varies greatly. The best mixtures are combinings of black-oil sunflower, white proso millet, bits of nuts and corn, and perchance safflower as well. Avoid the least costly mixtures, which are filled with the little globes of red milo, which very few birds except doves eat.

• Nuts and corn: Almost all seed-eating birds will get enjoyment from unsalted nuts broken into bits with a rolling pin, and more spectacular 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 reasonable portion before the squirrels arrive for breakfast.

• Suet and peanut butter: These are high-energy winter foods loved by a great deal of species. See page 23 for tips on how to provide them. Suet is bestloved in particular by woodpeckers. Peanut butter is a source of essential energy for birds in winter, and it may 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, particularly when they return in the spring to breed. Berries are a bestloved winter feed for thrushes, Cedar Waxwings, and Yellow-rumped Warblers, but these are best provided by landscaping with shrubs that will be loaded with berries for the duration of 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 respective 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 elements water. Boil the water, then add the sugar and stir. Don’t use feed coloring or artificial sweetener.

Most helpful customer reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful.
A bird in the yard
By wogan
I thought I had the best bird book to identify the birds in my yard until I found this bird guide. It identifies 150 species. There is a quick find index on the inside cover with pictures – a real help! Information is given on feeding, bird houses and how to distinguish between similar species.
The colour heads of birds leads you to the pages where complete pictures, range maps, food and general identification information can be found.
There are inserts included; such as why do birds migrate and how to attract hummingbirds. A glossary is built-in with additional reading.
Anyone who looks out and wants to know more of the feathered friends flying around will benefit from this guide.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful.
Great book!
By CSG
For those who are interested in doing most of their birding at home, this book is a great tutorial. The inside front and back covers have a visual index to bird species and there is a color index of head shots right after the table of contents. This allows for rapid identification of most common birds.

A terrific addition to my other bird guides and very handy to use.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful.
Backyard Birds I can now identify
By H. McClelland
I gave this book to three amateur bird fans who enjoy watching birds at their kitchen window feeders. All reported back that this was the most useful bird book they had seen, with clear photos & identifying features, and interesting relevant facts.