The Bluebird Book: The Complete Guide to Attracting Bluebirds (Stokes Backyard Nature Books)

I received this book as a gift several years ago and when a friend became interested in bluebirds, I knew this was a good choice for her. The book covers many aspects of bluebirds and has wonderful color photos. The information is presented in a clear and concise manner. I learned quite a bit about bluebirds and creating nesting boxes for them.

Once you have a bluebird visit your backyard, you WILL be hooked...and you'll start looking for anything and everything to lure them back--it sounds crazy, but I think every bluebirder started this way! I read just about everything I could find about them on the internet, and you can find tons of information there, but sometimes I'd rather consult a book or two--The Bluebird Book is one of my two.Actually it is pretty basic, and I thought it was too basic at times, but the further I read there was still a lot of good information about bluebird behavior, feeding habits, preferred habitat, nesting, nest boxes, predators of the bluebird, predator prevention, and what I didn't see anyplace else...bluebird language! But I think what kept me reading was the fantastic photographs--the photos will draw you in, and if you weren't too serious about doing the 'bluebirding thing', you will be after starting with this book. What it lacks in "complete reference" will certainly prompt you to take the next step of getting another more advanced book, pouring thru bluebird internet sites, or setting up a nest box or two in your yard. Just a note--depending on where you live in the US, parts of this book may not apply--but that is the same for other bluebird books also; don't get discouraged over it. Most bluebird books cover Eastern, Western, and Mountain bluebirds all at once, and what works in the east, may not work in the west, or south, for example.The other book that goes into great detail on just about everything bluebird related is the Bluebird Monitor's Guide. This should be your next book if you can find it. Excellent stuff, expands on what you learned in the Bluebird Book, and lists many lessons and lessons-learned, easy and hard, from average folks who became very passionate about bluebirds.After starting with the Bluebird Monitor's Guide, The Bluebird Book filled in a few areas and had some good detailed photos. And all the photos will have you wishing to have these beauties grace your neighborhood. Another note--there's also a Stokes video about bluebirding...I haven't seen it, but much of what I've read about it online is not very positive. Stick with this book and the Monitor's Guide and you will have plenty of solid information about bluebirds, setting up PROPER nest box(es), and providing a safe environment for a bluebird family, or any native wildbird family for that matter. Please be a responsible bird landlord!

Learn how to attract and house Blue Birds, and all about the way they live.

I bought The Bluebird Book ten years ago when the first streak of that magnificent color streaked through our yard. I wanted to know everything without doing exhaustive research and spending yours on my computer. A world of knowledge has been packed into its pages. This volume has it all, from beautiful photography, which illustrates every points about their lifecycle and what bird lovers can do to ensure their survival and your pleasure. I've bought multiple copies over the years to send to our kids and am now on to the grands. Everything the author says turns out to be true. Make room for this slim treasure on your bookshelf. Better yet, give in a home by your window.

If you seriously love bluebirds,as I do, this is the book that will help you create a habitat for them and welcome them to your yard. You will learn all about bluebird courtship behaviors, nest building, egg laying and setting and after the chicks hatch. After reading this book, I have set up three bluebird nest boxes and hosted many young lovebirds as they began their family. I would highly recommend this book.

The Stokes bird books major in the sheer delight of discovering the bird in question. The 1991 STOKES BLUEBIRD BOOK carries this tradition forward without missing a step.The book's three sections explore 'The Birds', 'Attracting Bluebirds', an 'Bluebird Behavior'. The first section introduces this captivating bird by way of poetry and observations made about it, mostly when the species was more plentiful than it is today. The Stokes then present the 'Eastern', 'Mountain', and 'Western Bluebird' varieties.The second section details what we've learned about compensating for the habit destruction that has made Bluebird numbers drop precipitously in recent times. I bought my copy after undertaking the Quijote's quest of adding a bluebird house to my Indiana front yard. It was immediately fitted out by a male house wren whose spouse chose other digs.A final section, comprising nearly half the book's pages, follows these birds through their life stages.Through 96 pages, the authors' prose cannot veil their admiration for these birds and their sheer delight in sympathetic proximity to them.It all adds up to a winner.

Nice book

I found this book to be very informative. I have followed the info given and now have two Bluebird houses full of chicks. One female is on her second brood. Her first brood all lived and fledged. I keep an eye on the nests everyday ,as suggested , Do be careful of the parents because they will attack if you go to near the nestbox. I have a bump on my head to prove it. Do makesure they have access to water. They drink quite often and love to bathe. Food, ( mealworms are easy to find and they love them )Shelter, ( nestboxes ) and water, ( birdbaths )are the only requirements they need. I live in NH and have never been able to get them to winter here but I have a lot of berries ( sumac ) this year so will give another try. ENJOY

Very detailed. Great purchase.

Un très beau livre.

beautiful book.