A stunning full-color guide to one of America’s most popular hobbies, with a region-by-region approach that unlocks the key to quick and easy bird identification.

Some 63 million Americans report that they enjoy observing their avian friends from their homes, and newcomers join the backyard bird-watching ranks all the time. But how do backyard birders learn who’s who when typical field guides bombard them with choices that take forever to sort out?

The Backyard Bird Lover’s Field Guide keeps it simple with a regional approach that cuts the possibilities down to size. Instead of poring over hundreds of species that don’t come anywhere near our own backyard, readers will find about 30 of the most likely prospects for each of seven regions of the country. Each entry is packed with advice on favorite foods, welcoming plants, and other temptations to lure birds to the backyard, along with glimpses into the birds’ personalities.

Sally Roth has a gift for conveying her passion for the subject along with her extensive knowledge. "Roth’s love for birds and her hands-on practical experience are inspiring," say Sharon Dunn and Michael Dunn, owners of the Duncraft Birdfeeding Catalog, about Roth’s Backyard Bird Feeder’s Bible. Filled with you-can-do-it features, such as tricks to help birders identify birds in a flash and ways to avoid confusing two similar birds, this new field guide will receive similar praise.

In a book that she considers her life’s work, veteran gardener and naturalist Sally Roth takes the chance and happenstance out of backyard birding. Readers learn what design features and edible treats will tempt particular bird families so that their birdbaths and feeders will be overflowing with the visitors of their choice. Bird-by-Bird Gardening includes nineteen garden designs for attracting specific bird families—such as hummingbirds, nuthatches, swallows, thrushes, or wrens—as well as water projects and feeder recipes for each bird family. With Rodale's best-selling bird author to guide them, bird lovers will soon have their favorite birds lingering longer in the backyard—and revisiting year after year.

Birds follow a cycle that depends on the seasons: When caterpillars are at their peak in summer, bird nests are filled with hungry babies hollering for food; in winter, a high-fat menu at the feeder helps birds make it through the night. By taking advantage of these natural cycles to plan feeder offerings and garden beds, readers can turn their backyard into an irresistible haven for a colorful assortment of birds in all kinds of weather.

Highlights of this captivating book include features such as:

- comprehensive explanations of how seasonal changes like spring rains and winter winds affect bird habits and behaviors in the backyard

- hints and tips for attracting birds by offering what they need in each season, such as crushed eggshells when mother birds need extra calcium for egg-laying

- Snazziest Stars and Supporting Cast—which birds can be attracted in which seasons

- Cheat Sheets for Migration—when to expect various migratory visitors

- interesting insight into feeding routines, courtship and mating rituals, and nesting areas to create a hospitable habitat

- Build or Buy—quick-and-easy birding projects

As many as one in five Americans already consider themselves birders, and this spirited and fun guide will seduce many newcomers to bird watching's bountiful pleasures.