Books to Teach Children About Birds

These books to teach children about birds are ideal, for anyone raising little ones who adore our feathered friends. All birds are interesting, but not so many books are. But these ones take the biscuit, they’ll have your child or children fascinating by the bird world, in no time.

Nature All Around: Birds is the perfect resource for budding bird-watchers. This comprehensive introduction encourages children to appreciate the wonderful world of birds, all around them. Because birds can be spotted in every neighbourhood and in all seasons, they are an excellent choice to pique a child’s interest in wildlife. Colourful pages explore the characteristics of different species, along with many fascinating and unique features – from feathers to eggs and nests. Pamela Hickman has an Honors Bachelor of Environmental Studies and Biology.

Counting Birds looks at what you can do to help endangered birds around the world, with the real story behind the first annual bird count. Ornithologist Frank Chapman wanted to see the end of the traditional Christmas bird hunt (where people would shoot as many bird as possible), and used his magazine to promote the idea of counting birds. More than 100 years later, professional researchers collect data and share valuable information to help birds of all kinds, from condors to hawks to kestrels. Heidi Stemple lives and writes on a big old farm in Massachusetts that she shares with one very large (who lives inside) and lots of deer, bears, coyotes, bobcats, a grey fox, birds and fat groundhogs, who live outside. Once a year, she calls owls for the Audubon Christmas Bird Count.

Atlas of Amazing Birds is a wonderful book by gifted writer and artist Matt Sewell. Never talking down to younger or any readers, these books combine educational facts, an awe for the natural world (and he’s also very funny!)

Meet birds that migrate thousands of miles, have strange & showy mating rituals survive in extreme environments, are brilliant builders – or are super-fast, super-brave or super-big! From tiny hummingbirds  & towering ostriches to stunning peacocks. Did you know?

• Bald eagle builds nests that can weight 2 tons?
• Elf owls can play dead, when in trouble?
• Adelie penguins can hold their breath for 6 minutes?
• And they can also leap 3 metres out of the water?

Here is the adorable Siberian jay, wrapped up in its winter coat to survive the bitter chills of Scandinavia, Russia, Mongolia and Northern China. It looks like it has been dressed in the now-trendy brown and orange hues of the 1970s! Although mostly silent, one of the calls is an alarming scream (not unlike a buzzard).

Matt Sewell is a wonderfully talented illustrator and ornithologist, whose books are among the most popular for educating people on birds and wildlife, the world over. His illustrations even appear on Isle of Man stamps.

Crazy for Birds is a gorgeous informative book. Find fascinating facts, humorous anecdotes and charming illustrations by Croatian-American artist Misha Blaise (who also is a green builder like birds!), who loves paying homage to the amazing birds that populate our skies. Meet the

1. Common Swift (who can stay in the air without landing for up to 10 months, sleeping on the wing)
2. Tiny Goldcrest (Europe’s smallest bird which can lay one and half times its body weight in eggs)
3. Barn Swallow (can fly over 600 miles in one day)
4. Mallard Duck (a classic cutie)
5. Wilson’s Storm Petrel (can locate by smell in the dark)
6. Barn Owl (screeches, no hooting)
7. The Goth Chicken (lays black eggs)

How to Watch Birds (with children)

Teaching children how to watch birds is a fun activity, that is also educational. However, don’t encourage children to interfere too much.

1. Keep quiet (imitating sounds confuses birds, putting them in danger)
2. Be aware of the times they go to bed (artificial light can again interfere with migration and breeding).
3. Never disturb birds or nests (and don’t leave out human hair, pet fur or washing machine lint – all can strangle or choke or harm). Birds have been making nests for thousands of years, without our help.
4. If you live with cats, keep them indoors at dawn and dusk, when birds are most likely feeding.
5. Plant natural foods for birds, rather than rely on artificial feeding, which can harm if you move, go on holiday or die. If planting natural foods, see toxic plants and other items to avoid near pets.
6. Never feed birds stale or crusty bread (can choke) nor fatty leftover sandwiches etc (these can smear on feathers, affecting waterproofing and insulation of feathers).
7. Don’t place foliage near windows, to help stop birds flying into windows.