Author: Bella K. Swan

Imagine yourself standing there watching a robin scratching about your garden early in the spring. It freezes, looks at its feet sideways, and selects a red juicy berry. Was it selecting that berry in color, whether it was ready, or how it tasted? Some bird watchers have asked the same question: do birds have taste buds? Short answer: yes. Birds have taste buds but not as many as humans. They do not taste sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami on the tongue like us. They taste in another way. Birds rely more on vision and smell but also on taste…

There are birds that are spotted by how large they are. Others are cherished for their song. But most of the most conspicuous ones are remembered for their color. Among them are the birds with orange chest feathers that are like having the morning sun on their body. The orange chest is robust but softer than red. It unites heat and energy, meaning health, good appearance, and liveliness. These birds light up gardens, forests, and shores. They also inspire folklore, poetry, and ardor by birders everywhere. This is an adventure into the world of the orange-chested birds. We will explore…

They fly over mountain ranges. They glide low over plains. They shoot through unsuspecting animals. They are bird hunters—winged predators of the natural world, or birds of prey or raptors. Humankind has gazed up at and even feared them for thousands of years. Eagles were a symbol of strength in years gone by. Humankind used to call owls protectors or sign. Hunters domesticated falcons to hunt on their behalf. Predator birds are strong and beautiful. They creep and steal, but their eyes are so sharp that they can pick out a rabbit miles away. They sit and watch on twigs,…

Birds are everywhere. In cities, jungles, beaches, and even the most remote tundras. But what is so fascinating about them compared to any other animal is not necessarily that they are able to fly, but that they are compelled to build. Plans or equipment are not needed by birds; they build structures that are secure, practical, and occasionally stunning. An illustration of a bird’s nest shows us how differently each group of birds builds. Some are tiny grass cups. Some are stick platform nests that a man can stand on. Some are dug into the ground, others hanging off sticks…

Kauai is often called the Garden Island of Hawaii. With its lush forests, dramatic cliffs, quiet beaches, and hidden swamps, it feels like a paradise untouched by time. But what truly makes Kauai magical are its birds. The birds of Kauai are some of the most unique in the world. Many species live only on Hawaii, and some live only on this one island. Their songs, colors, and behaviors tell the story of the land itself. From the state bird, the Nēnē goose, to the jewel-like honeycreepers, and the comical wild chickens that roam freely, Kauai’s birdlife is unforgettable. This…

Mexico is a confounding habitat for birds. Desert, mountain, coast, and rainforest are home to a thousand species. Visitors are perhaps gazing at ruins or beaches but halted in their tracks at being introduced to birds they view only in rainforest, wetland, or city park. From the legendary quetzal bird to the sparrow, Mexican birds are stunning. More than 1,100 species of birds have made Mexico their home, and it is bird paradise. What the book does is tell us about the most renowned birds, where they live, their social lives, and what can be done to help protect them.…

When Rio was released as an animated film in 2011, audiences were introduced instantly to a world of color, music, and feathers. Blu, the blue macaw, and his journey to freedom captured the hearts of children and parents alike. Two years after that, Rio 2 followed the flock even further, with even more stunning bird characters, pitting them against the rainbow-colored landscape of the Amazon. At the heart of both movies are the Rio movie birds. More than the humor of Nico and Pedro or the mastermind devilry of Nigel, these birds are no cartoon characters. They are real bird…

Some birds are loved for their color. Others for their song or size. But few things bring us as much joy as fluffy birds. They look so soft, round, and almost huggable. From downy infant chicks to little puffballs on branches, fluffy birds melt hearts wherever they appear. Fluffiness is more than skin deep. It serves a purpose. Fluffy feathers are cold keepers, chick protectors, and in a few instances, signs of health or temperament. To bird enthusiasts and animal lovers, fluffiness equals comfort, youthfulness, or adaptation. This book does considerable exploration of the world of fluffy birds. We shall…

Nature has an element of surprise. There are natural creatures that surprise us by form, some by colors, and others in size. The most gorgeous ones are the long-necked birds. They build a nest so high above marshes, fly astronomically high above lakes, or tread into plains of meadows. Their form is etched in one’s mind. From surf birds riding the sea on swans to flamingos painting wetlands pink, long-necked birds astound scientists and birdwatchers along the way, to quote the rest of us. They aren’t substitute actors, snack gear, stability gear, survival gear, show courtship. They’re employed to work…

When someone hears the word deer, they envision them walking in a field of mud eating leaves or along a forest road. They are peaceful and tranquil creatures. However, one does hear the occasional story here and there. A farmer, camper, or wildlife photographer calls in and states that they have seen a deer eating a bird. This has raised the strange question: do deer eat birds? The simple reason is that deer are predominantly herbivores. They consume vegetables. They occasionally consume meat, perhaps small animals or birds. These are the exceptions, not the rule. But scientists and nature lovers…