Summer Reading for the Lazy, Hazy, Days of Birding

So we are heading into the what could be referred to as the doldrums for birding. The birds are busy raising their young but are pretty secretive about it. Plus it's going to be hot and humid which neither birds or birders really like. So most of us, if we can't get away to cooler climes, hunker in at home. And it's a great time to get caught up on reading. So here is a list of books that may entertain and/or challenge you this summer. It's an eclectic list that contains a little something for everyone including the fledgling birder in your life.

Looking Up: A Birder’s Guide to Hope Through Grief, Courtney Ellis A deeply felt love of birds is something that can wind its way into all aspects of our lives. It is a journey that writer and pastor Courtney Ellis weaves into her most recent book published last year and now available in audiobook. She is also the host of The Thing with Feathers podcast, available in a lot of the same places you can find this one.

Habitats of North America: A Field Guide for Birders, Naturalists, and Ecologists, Phil Chaon & Iain Campbell. Whether you’re a birder, naturalist, outdoor enthusiast, or ecologist, knowing the surrounding habitat is essential to getting the most out of your experiences in the field. This compact, easy-to-use guide provides an unparalleled treatment of the wonderfully diverse habitats of North America. Incisive and up-to-date descriptions cover the unique features of each habitat, from geology and climate to soil and hydrology. The book offers quick and reliable information for anyone who wants a deeper understanding and appreciation of the habitats around them.

The Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada, Lillian Stokes and Matthew Young. Learn all you need to know about identifying and attracting finches with this comprehensive, gloriously colorful field guide from America’s foremost authorities on birds and nature.

Feather Trails: A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds, Sophie Osborn. The story of one woman’s remarkable work with a trio of charismatic, endangered bird species―and her discoveries about the devastating threats that imperil them.

The Courage of Birds: And the Often Surprising Ways They Survive Winter, Pete Dunne. From our own backyards to the rim of the Arctic ice, countless birds have adapted to meet the challenges of the winter season. This is their remarkable story, told by award-winning birder and acclaimed writer Pete Dunne, accompanied by illustrations from renowned artist and birder David Sibley.

Birding with Benefits: A Novel, Sarah Dubb. A divorcee embarks on her “year of yes” and crosses paths with a shy but sensitive birdwatcher who changes her life in this charming rom-com that is perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Ali Hazelwood.

Find More Birds: 111 Surprising Ways to Spot Birds Wherever You Are, Heather Wolf. Seeing more birds than you ever imagined and witnessing exciting avian drama is possible—whether you’re on the go or in your own neighborhood, local park, or backyard. As Heather Wolf explains, it all comes down to how you tune in to the show happening around you, the one in which birds—highly skilled at staying under the radar—are the stars.

Birdgirl: Looking to the Skies in Search of a Better Future, Mya-Rose Craig. This story Mya-Rose and her family as they travel the world in search of rare birds and astonishing landscapes. But a shadow moves with them, too—her mother's deepening mental health crisis. In the face of this struggle, the Craigs turn to nature again and again for comfort and meaning.

What Is a Bird? An Exploration of Anatomy, Physiology, Behavior, and Ecology, Tony Williams. An absorbing and beautifully presented exploration of the natural history of birds. It integrates physiological adaptations with ecology and behavior and features a wealth of color photographs and explanatory figures. Uses scanning electron microscope imagery to provide a rare close-up view of structures not normally visible and provides insights into our complex relationship with birds, from our enduring fascination with them to the threats they face and the challenges of conservation.

For the Fledgling in Your Life

The Urban Owls: How Flaco and Friends Made the City Their Home, Christian Cooper. Flaco captured the country’s imagination with his surprising flight toward freedom, but he’s not the first owl to experience the wonders of city life. Christian Cooper shares more about these incredible urban birds and the fame that found them.

What's Inside a Bird's Nest? And Other Questions About Nature & Life Cycles, Rachel Ignotofsky.

The author’s beautiful, distinctive art style and engaging, informative text clearly answers any questions a child (or adult!) could have about birds, eggs, and nests in this nonfiction picture book series.

Bioblitz!: Counting Critters, Susan Edwards Richmond. A young boy and his cousin compete to identify the most different species on a biodiversity count day at a local park. Readers follow the two teams through a variety of habitats, where they spot dozens of different species over the course of the day. Author also wrote Bird Count which is about the Christmas Bird Count.

 Hello, Crow, Candice Savage. Franny has a new friend—a crow who brings her presents in its beak. Like a red button! And a silver heart! Franny’s dad doesn’t believe her. He says crows and kids can’t be friends. But Franny knows better. How will Franny prove her new playmate is real? And what will the crafty crow bring next?

Listen to the Birds, Donald Kroodsma. Take a dawn walk through the pages of this amazing book and discover forty species of North American birds, guided by expertly informed text and gorgeous illustrations. Then, hold a phone with the paired app up to the art and watch―and listen―as the birds spring to life and sing.