Bookmarks: Picture Books on Birds

We are enjoying watching birds recently. My boys had made several bluebird boxes this winter and we placed them within view of the house. A few days ago I saw a robin struggle with a long string that had tangled in a pine tree. Her efforts were finally rewarded by freeing the string and I assume the string is now part of her nest. 

Spring is a marvelous time for bird watching, as birds return from the south and begin making nests. Here are a few of our favorite picture books to enhance bird study. (Note: Some of these books contain evolutionary information.)

White Owl, Barn Owl by Nicola Davies, Illustrated by Michael Foreman

Lush paintings and a sweet tale of a young girl and her grandfather combine with facts about the barn owl. Includes hints on how to build a barn owl nesting box. Don’t miss this one.

Woodpecker Wham! by April Pulley Sayre, Illustrated by Steve Jenkins

A fun to read story, fascinating illustrations, and several pages of woodpecker facts give a well-rounded view of the many species of this amazing bird.

Arrowhawk by Lola M. Schaefer, Illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska

This is the true story of a red-tailed hawk and his fight for survival after being pierced by a poacher’s arrow. Includes information on raptors, birds of prey, and why they are a protected species.

This Way Home by Lisa Westberg Peters, Illustrated by Normand Chartier

How does a small bird navigate the 1,000 miles from Minnesota to the Gulf and then find its way back again in the spring? Lovely watercolors share the story of the journey and facts about how the Savannah Sparrow uses the sun, stars, and the earth’s magnetic field to find its way.

The Robins in Your Backyard by Nancy Carol Willis

We’ve all watched robins in our backyard, but the detailed drawings and information in this book will teach all of us something new about these common harbingers of spring.

Owls by Gail Gibbons

Vivid watercolors show the details of the twenty-one types of owls living in North America. Learn about the characteristics and habits of these nocturnal birds.

Thunder Birds: Nature's Flying Predators written and illustrated by Jim Arnosky

Arnosky’s nature books are always treasures but this book is magnificent. Fold-out flaps depict incredible life-size paintings of the largest predator birds in North America. Learn about hawks, herons, eagles, vultures, and more in this stunning book.