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Seattle Picks: Birds

Interest in birds and bird-watching took flight during the pandemic, and shows no sign of slowing. Enjoy suggested resources on birds and bird-watching with this list created by a librarian at The Seattle Public Library for bird lovers in the Seattle area and beyond. Annotations by staff, review source, or publisher as noted. (March 2024)

The Seattle Public Library

25 items

  • What An Owl Knows

    the New Science of the World's Most Enigmatic Birds

    Ackerman, Jennifer, 1959-
    In this captivating survey of what makes an owl an owl and how different species “owl” in disparate ways, Ackerman delves into the biology and natural history of owls around the globe. (Booklist)
    BookNew York : Penguin Press, 2023. — 598.97 Ac574W 2023
  • A celebration of birding as an inclusive activity for everyone, from organizing members of the Feminist Bird Club. (Publisher description)
    BookNew York, NY : Princeton Architectural Press, a division of Chronicle Books LLC, [2023] — 598.07234 Ad191F 2023
  • A general introduction to birdwatching and birds of the Northwest. (staff annotation)
    BookPrinceton, New Jersey : Princeton, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2022. — 598.09795 AL511 2022
  • Birds and Us

    a 12,000-year History From Cave Art to Conservation

    Birkhead, Tim
    Ornithologist Birkhead delivers a master class in this fascinating look at humans’ evolving relationship with birds, tracking over the course of 12 millennia as birds went from being the objects of art and veneration to sources of food and…
    BookPrinceton : Princeton University Press, [2022] — 598 B535B 2022
  • Better Living Through Birding

    Notes From a Black Man in the Natural World

    Cooper, Christian
    This remarkable story will resonate with birders, nature lovers, and everyone who has been made to feel as though they’re outside the mainstream. (Booklist)
    BookNew York : Random House, [2023] — 598.07234 C7845C 2023
  • Birdgirl

    Looking to the Skies in Search of a Better Future

    Craig, Mya-Rose
    Craig, known for her Birdgirl blog, environmental activism, and racial equity work, shares stories of her early birding days. (Library Journal)
    BookNew York : Celadon Books, 2023. — 598.07234 C8446C 2023
  • This easy-to-use book will help you identify more than 100 commonly occurring birds that help make the Washington coast the natural wonder that it is. (Publisher description)
    BookPortland, Oregon : Timber Press, 2024. — 598.07234 En97B 2024
  • In a memoir structured around a list of birds seen over 50+ years, Gannon reflects on the purpose he found in bird-watching and shares personal stories of growing up part-Lakota on the Great Plains. (staff annotation)
    BookColumbus : Mad Creek Books, an imprint of The Ohio State University Press, [2023] — 978.00497 G156G 2023
  • The Private Lives of Public Birds

    Learning to Listen to the Birds Where We Live

    Gedney, Jack, 1989-
    Through 15 essays, each of which illuminates the life of a single species and its relationship to humans, a dedicated birdwatcher and teacher draws us into his enchanted world of these not-so-ordinary birds where we learn to understand…
    BookBerkeley, California : Heyday, [2022] — 598.09794 G269P 2022
  • Using her paintings as a launching point, local author and artist Hashimoto encourages readers not only how to observe birds more carefully but also effectively translate their specific characteristics through various artistic methods.…
    BookSeattle, Washington : Skipstone, 2019. — 704.94328 H2732H 2019
  • Flight Paths

    How a Passionate and Quirky Group of Pioneering Scientists Solved the Mystery of Bird Migration

    Heisman, Rebecca
    Science writer Heisman debuts with a winning examination of the seasonal movements of birds, tracing how scientific understanding of bird migration has evolved and detailing the technologies that ornithologists employ to study them today.…
    BookNew York, NY : Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, [2023] — 598.1568 H3658F 2023
  • In this moving memoir, filmmaker and novelist Kumar explores encounters with birds as meditations on the natural world. An eloquent depiction of how birding engenders a deep love of our ecosystems and a more profound understanding of…
    BookMinneapolis, Minnesota : Milkweed Editions, 2022. — 598.07234 K9604K 2022
  • The Hawk's Way

    Encounters With Fierce Beauty

    Montgomery, Sy
    Naturalist Montgomery explores what can be learned from birds of prey in this impassioned introduction to falconry. The result is a heartfelt and informative primer, just right for adventure- and animal-loving readers. (Publishers Weekly)
    BookNew York : Atria Books, 2022. — 598.944 M7674H 2022
  • A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching

    Getting to Know the World's Most Misunderstood Bird

    Mosco, Rosemary
    In this whimsical guide to pigeons commonly found in U.S. cities, science illustrator Mosco blends pigeon history, biology, identifying characteristics, and trivia sidebars. This informative selection will encourage city-dwelling nature…
    BookNew York, NY : Workman Publishing Co., Inc., [2021] — 598.65072 M851P 2021
  • In her engaging debut memoir, O’Kane recounts her transformation into an avid bird watcher and environmental activist. A delightful homage to birds and nature in general. (Kirkus)
    BookNew York : Ecco, [2024] — 598.07234 Ok1o 2024
  • An informative and eye-catching reference book for beginner and intermediate backyard bird enthusiasts. (Publisher description)
    Book[New York] : Abrams, 2020. — 598.0723 P4289B 2020
  • Complete with photos, this comprehensive guide will bring possibility to both aspiring gardeners and hopeful birders. (Publishers Weekly)
    BookNew York, NY : DK Publishing, 2020. — 639.978 R7621H 2020
  • Prolific British nature writer/environmentalist/broadcaster/producer Moss highlights 10 bird species that he says have changed human history. (Library Journal)
    BookNew York : Basic Books, 2023. — 598 M8555T 2023
  • Birds of the Pacific Northwest describes and illustrates more than 400 bird species commonly encountered in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia. (Publisher description)
    BookPortland, Oregon : Timber Press, 2017. — 598.09795 Sh599B 2017
  • North American Bird Watching for Beginners

    Field Notes on 150 Species to Start Your Birding Adventures

    Stiteler, Sharon
    This compact field guide is the perfect introduction to birding. You'll find essential information about 150 North American species and expert advice on how to get started on your bird-watching journey. (Publisher description)
    BookOakland, California : Rockridge Press, [2022] — 598.07234 St59N 2022