Weird birds

The title of the Weird Animals series says it all. Each page features a big, beautiful photo of one animal on a white background, labeled with its common and scientific name and a brief descriptive paragraph. The information in the paragraphs is informative and fairly easy to read, though some specialized vocabulary may be challenging for younger readers. One could certainly quibble over whether or not all the animals in these books are truly weird, but they are certainly interesting. Weird Birds presents 60 birds, ranging from macaws, wild turkeys, and Indian peafowl to the roseate spoonbill, resplendent quetzal, booted racket-tail, and blue-footed booby. The names, if not the animals themselves, should be weird enough to fascinate most readers. The gorgeous photos, which are the focal point of each page, will also draw readers in and encourage them to browse. With no narrative or additional features whatsoever, the text will appeal mainly to readers who prefer a fact-based, encyclopedic format (or who just want to know more about the pictures).--Aronin, Miriam Copyright 2014 Booklist

An album of captioned photographs of nearly 60 exotic birds offers dramatic evidence of astonishing diversity in the avian word. The images are striking, with the bird (or its head) shown against a stark white background. From the black skimmer to the vulturine guineafowl, they are presented by common name, but Latin names are also given. Each illustration is accompanied by a paragraph about ways in which the bird is particularly bizarre. Sometimes the text indicates where it might be found, in a general wayAfrica, Central and South America, in rain forestsand sometimes it mentions habitat or eating habits, size or eggs. But this is not a book for research; it's a display. There are enormous beaks and splendiferous tails, bright colors in skin and feathers, and surprisingly different feet. The southern ground hornbill has remarkable eyelashes; penguins excrete excess salt through their nostrils; the palm cockatoo makes a drumstick from a branch and bangs it against a hollow tree to attract a mate. These pictures, from stock photo collections, are attributed (photographer and source) in agate type on the verso. Unfortunately, the author, an interpretive biologist, provides no sources for his information nor suggestions for further exploration. A similar, simultaneously publishing collection, Weird Frogs, uses a similar approach. A browser's delight. (index) (Informational picture book. 7-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

INTRODUCTION When most people first think of birds, they think of pigeons or sparrows or maybe the pretty cardinal at their backyard bird feeder. But when you start to tally the many different kinds of birds you know, you realize how diverse and amazing these vertebrates are. From massive flightless ostriches to tiny whirring hummingbirds, birds come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. And the size range is impressive: it would take 67,650 bee hummingbirds, often regarded as the world's smallest bird, to reach the weight of the world's heaviest bird, the ostrich. Birds are the only modern creatures to possess feathers. Feathers grow from follicles in the skin (like mammalian hairs do) and they are made up of keratin, which is also found in claws and scales. It is likely that feathers evolved from reptilian scales. Feathers are what allow birds to fly, along with other adaptations such as being light (hollow bones, no teeth, smaller or loss of organs) and powerful (strong breast muscles). Feathers also help birds stay warm and waterproof. But their function in visual communication is something that really makes birdlife so spectacular. Feathers come in an incredible variety of colors and shapes for the purpose of attracting a mate, but this attracts our attention as well. The massive tail of a peacock, the rainbow colors of a parrot or the fine plumes of an egret have been impressing people for thousands of years. But it is not just feathers that make birds strange to us. The different shapes of birds make them an especially diverse group of animals. Pondering beaks alone, there are the dagger-like beaks of herons, the curved beaks of ibises and the hooked beaks of owls and hawks. Other beaks are shaped as chisels, spoons, probes, tweezers, sieves and pouches. Legs and feet are almost as variable. Long legs of storks, webbed feet of ducks, skinny toes of jacanas and weapon-like claws of raptors help birds find and secure food. The plethora of beaks and leg shapes are just a few of the adaptations that help birds survive in habitats all over the planet. With over 10,000 species, birds are sure to impress anyone who stops to take a closer look. Excerpted from Weird Birds by Chris Earley All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.