Hummingbirds: Their Life and Behavior

By Robert A. Tyrell and Esther Quesada Tyrrell

Book Overview

Robert Tyrrell, the world's foremost photographer of hummingbirds, has successfully captured on film the utterly fascinating day-to-day activities of our colorful North American species. Included among the 235 full-color pictures are never-before-photographed sequences such as nesting, molting, preening and territorial aggression, as well as an unprecedented portfolio of hummingbirds feeding from wildflowers. Esther Tyrrell has written the accompanying illuminating text, by far the most complete and up-to-date information on hummingbirds ever assembled, which will make this book the definitive source for both scientists and the general reader for years to come. This lavishly illustrated volume opens with an introduction to this lovely family of

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0517553368
• ISBN13: 9780517553367
• Release Date: February 1985
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 212 Pages
• Weight: 3.02 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 9.4" x 12.2"

Customer Reviews

Hummingbirds: Their Life and Behavior

Fantastic book....everything you'd ever want to know about a very interesting little bird. Lots of colorful, close up photos and very informative. Over the years I've collected several other books on hummingbirds, after buying this book, I need buy no more.

Stunning Photos!

Of course, everyone loves the feisty, peppy hummingbird with it's glorious colors. This book shows details that the average birdwatcher never sees. The close up photos, some in action sequence, are a delight and there are pictures even showing the nests made of cobwebs, feathers and lichens. The text supplements the photos giving details of the author's observations on hummingbird behavior. One section covers the different hummingbirds, giving each variety a two-page spread. There are several photos plus a listing of the field markings, range, breeding range, winter range, nesting, migration and habitat for each. Additional graphics are quite useful, like the one showing the names for the body parts of hummingbirds. What a useful (and beautiful) book!

Unbelievable photography

This book conains the most amazing photography imaginable (the authors' companion book Hummingbirds of the Caribbean is just as wonderful). Dazzling colors and awesome stopped-action shots. I can't imagine how it was done.

Highest praise

The wife and husband team of Esther and Robert Tyrrell logged over 30,000 miles of travel to photograph and document the 16 species of North American hummingbirds. Using his own special high-speed strobe techniques, Robert has photographed the tiny colorful birds in a variety of activities flying, perching, and nesting. The book contains over 200 amazing photographs, reproduced in dazzling color. In her text, Esther has culled information from hundreds of sources and provides a comprehensive and well-written overview of the birds' anatomy and behaviors. A must for any bird lover!