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100 Plants to Feed the Birds: Turn Your Home Garden into a Healthy Bird Habitat by Laura Erickson
ghur413's review against another edition
5.0
I love the birds that visit and make nests around my yard. For years I've been thinking about the decline of many song birds in the United States and have been wondering what I can plant in my yard to aid them. Most environmentally minded folks know about native plants but I needed more knowledge.
100 Plants to Feed the Birds by Laura Erickson is just the resource I was looking for. Erickson begins the book with a look and information about birds. Then beautifully moves the book in a beautifully organized way to plants. We get a detailed look at trees, grasses, flowers, bushes/shrubs and vines. We get a look at what grows best in each area of the country, which birds like and what purpose does the plant bring. WIth a key in the beginning we can see what is great for caterpillars, nesting, etc, Covers much more than just feeding the birds. They need shelter and areas to nest as well. 100 Plants to Feed the Birds has beautiful detailed photographs that not only compliment the book but make identification of both birds and plants simple.
I'm looking forward to adding a physical copy of this book to my gardening library. Also, looking forward for spring to get to work planting some species on Erickson's list!
Thank you #NetGalley for the early read. All opinions are my own. #100PlantstoFeedtheBirds
100 Plants to Feed the Birds by Laura Erickson is just the resource I was looking for. Erickson begins the book with a look and information about birds. Then beautifully moves the book in a beautifully organized way to plants. We get a detailed look at trees, grasses, flowers, bushes/shrubs and vines. We get a look at what grows best in each area of the country, which birds like and what purpose does the plant bring. WIth a key in the beginning we can see what is great for caterpillars, nesting, etc, Covers much more than just feeding the birds. They need shelter and areas to nest as well. 100 Plants to Feed the Birds has beautiful detailed photographs that not only compliment the book but make identification of both birds and plants simple.
I'm looking forward to adding a physical copy of this book to my gardening library. Also, looking forward for spring to get to work planting some species on Erickson's list!
Thank you #NetGalley for the early read. All opinions are my own. #100PlantstoFeedtheBirds
lavanda4's review against another edition
5.0
Jam-packed with fascinating information about attracting desirable birds in North America and superb photographs, 100 Plants to Feed the Birds is absolutely stellar! Author Laura Erickson focuses on native plants (after all, they support 35 times more birds than non native plants do) but does mention a few invasive species. She reminds us that improving habitat for birds and plants (and therefore people) is important and that we needn't make drastic changes to make impactful ones. How refreshing to read such a book which includes Canada! Erickson discusses seasonal plants and birds (tamaracks and larches, for example, thrive in our frigid Saskatchewan climate and the desert willow survives in the warmest climes of the United States).
Plants provide seeds, fruits, nectar, sap, lichen, insects, roosts, nuts and nests, sometimes even after their demise. One hundred specific plants (not only trees and shrubs but also cacti and grasses) and the birds which they prefer and are associated with are listed here complete with icons and key, maps where they are found, species, exposure, height, colour and season. I learned that our destructive tent caterpillars which can destroy larches and poplars are loved by black-billed cuckoos which I have never seen. Though a master gardener, I did not realize Madrones survive fires (way out of my zone 2a) and had not heard of the cup plant. At the end of the book is a helpful list of favoured plants of North American birds, I really look forward to mindfully planning on attracting beneficial birds and learning more about their habitats at the same time.
Perfect for all levels of birders/gardeners, anyone with the slightest predilection for the subject ought to prioritize this wonderful book. It prompted me to research further specifics.
My sincere thank you to Storey Publishing and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this phenomenal book. To me it is epitome of perfection. I appreciate the author's passion and encouragement to enrich nature and our lives!
Plants provide seeds, fruits, nectar, sap, lichen, insects, roosts, nuts and nests, sometimes even after their demise. One hundred specific plants (not only trees and shrubs but also cacti and grasses) and the birds which they prefer and are associated with are listed here complete with icons and key, maps where they are found, species, exposure, height, colour and season. I learned that our destructive tent caterpillars which can destroy larches and poplars are loved by black-billed cuckoos which I have never seen. Though a master gardener, I did not realize Madrones survive fires (way out of my zone 2a) and had not heard of the cup plant. At the end of the book is a helpful list of favoured plants of North American birds, I really look forward to mindfully planning on attracting beneficial birds and learning more about their habitats at the same time.
Perfect for all levels of birders/gardeners, anyone with the slightest predilection for the subject ought to prioritize this wonderful book. It prompted me to research further specifics.
My sincere thank you to Storey Publishing and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this phenomenal book. To me it is epitome of perfection. I appreciate the author's passion and encouragement to enrich nature and our lives!
rusereviews's review against another edition
5.0
100 Plants to Feed the Birds: Turn Your Home Garden into a Healthy Bird Habitat is a gardening and landscape design resource book by Laura Erickson. The eBook version is around 256 pages and has tons of full-color photos of various birds and plants.
The book is separated into two parts. Part one details how to create a good habitat in your home garden for local birds. Erickson notes that though over 50 million North Americans feed birds, the suet, sugar water, and birdseed they provide doesn't actually offer a complete and balanced diet for any of them.
Locally native plants are very important to add to home landscaping in order to help support American birds. These plants are great for overall bird welfare, as they can produce seeds, fruits, nectar, and other essential foods for our feathered friends (like insects that birds need for protein). They can also provide nesting materials as well as roosting and nesting sites. There are quite a few pages noting how important it is to avoid non-native and invasive plants.
The second part of the book is a lot bigger than part one, and details the eponymous 100 plants that support birds that were mentioned in the title. These plants are separated by type: coniferous trees, broadleaf trees, grasses, herbaceous plants, miscellaneous plants (like lichen), shrubs, vines, and cactus and yuccas. Each plant is detailed over several pages, including many images, their uses, what conditions they prefer, their most useful seasons, their colors, their maximum height, and a map with their native range.
In the back of the book, there is a chart of favorite plants of common North American birds. There are also further resources like a chart of North American native plant societies, a glossary of terms, and an index.
Special thanks to Storey Publishing and NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book for me to review. All opinions contained herein are my own.
The book is separated into two parts. Part one details how to create a good habitat in your home garden for local birds. Erickson notes that though over 50 million North Americans feed birds, the suet, sugar water, and birdseed they provide doesn't actually offer a complete and balanced diet for any of them.
Locally native plants are very important to add to home landscaping in order to help support American birds. These plants are great for overall bird welfare, as they can produce seeds, fruits, nectar, and other essential foods for our feathered friends (like insects that birds need for protein). They can also provide nesting materials as well as roosting and nesting sites. There are quite a few pages noting how important it is to avoid non-native and invasive plants.
The second part of the book is a lot bigger than part one, and details the eponymous 100 plants that support birds that were mentioned in the title. These plants are separated by type: coniferous trees, broadleaf trees, grasses, herbaceous plants, miscellaneous plants (like lichen), shrubs, vines, and cactus and yuccas. Each plant is detailed over several pages, including many images, their uses, what conditions they prefer, their most useful seasons, their colors, their maximum height, and a map with their native range.
In the back of the book, there is a chart of favorite plants of common North American birds. There are also further resources like a chart of North American native plant societies, a glossary of terms, and an index.
Special thanks to Storey Publishing and NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book for me to review. All opinions contained herein are my own.
lynguy1's review against another edition
5.0
100 Plants to Feed the Birds: Turn Your Home Garden into a Healthy Bird Habitat by Laura Erickson is the second book that I have read by this author. The title describes what this non-fiction book covers for the United States and Canada. While the novel has narrowed the list of plants, it looks at native plants that provide seeds, fruits, and nectar as well as those that host caterpillars and other insects needed for protein and those that provide nesting materials or nesting and roosting sites.
It starts with a good table of contents for easy reference followed by a short section on creating habitat for birds. This is then followed by the section for plants. The plants are divided into conifers, broadleaf trees, grasses, herbaceous perennial and annual plants, plants that grow on trees, shrubs, vines, and cactus and yuccas. Each of these is broken down more specifically. It includes some of the bird species that use them, how they are typically used, color, most useful seasons, native range maps, and some species within each category.
Not all of the species in the book should be planted in all areas of the USA or Canada. The author is very specific in urging readers to look for locally native species in the categories and provides an appendix that includes North American Native Plant Societies. Another excellent appendix is one that includes the favorite plants of common North American birds. It includes the species and their preferred food(s) and nesting choices. The bird photos are great as well, but I wish there had been photos with the plants in gardens designed to attract and feed the birds.
Overall, this is a well-organized and beneficial reference for those who want to garden to attract birds.
Storey Publishing, LLC and Laura Erickson provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for December 06, 2022.
It starts with a good table of contents for easy reference followed by a short section on creating habitat for birds. This is then followed by the section for plants. The plants are divided into conifers, broadleaf trees, grasses, herbaceous perennial and annual plants, plants that grow on trees, shrubs, vines, and cactus and yuccas. Each of these is broken down more specifically. It includes some of the bird species that use them, how they are typically used, color, most useful seasons, native range maps, and some species within each category.
Not all of the species in the book should be planted in all areas of the USA or Canada. The author is very specific in urging readers to look for locally native species in the categories and provides an appendix that includes North American Native Plant Societies. Another excellent appendix is one that includes the favorite plants of common North American birds. It includes the species and their preferred food(s) and nesting choices. The bird photos are great as well, but I wish there had been photos with the plants in gardens designed to attract and feed the birds.
Overall, this is a well-organized and beneficial reference for those who want to garden to attract birds.
Storey Publishing, LLC and Laura Erickson provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for December 06, 2022.
helenpickett's review against another edition
3.0
Lovely book with beautiful colourful photographs. and details not only of plants to grow for food for the birds but also for shelter and nesting.
Unfortunately the book is aimed at the North American market and in my opinion of little value in Britain. Certainly some of the plants are available to buy and plant here and no doubt some British birds would benefit but it is a tenuous link.
If a British version is ever produced, I would be very interested as it is a favourite pastime for me and I realise that habitat loss is taking it's toll on our wildlife.
With thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the preview read.
#100PlantstoFeedthebirds #NetGalley
Unfortunately the book is aimed at the North American market and in my opinion of little value in Britain. Certainly some of the plants are available to buy and plant here and no doubt some British birds would benefit but it is a tenuous link.
If a British version is ever produced, I would be very interested as it is a favourite pastime for me and I realise that habitat loss is taking it's toll on our wildlife.
With thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the preview read.
#100PlantstoFeedthebirds #NetGalley
annieb123's review against another edition
5.0
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
100 Plants to Feed the Birds is a well written and beautifully photographed manual full of practical tips and information on building and maintaining welcoming habitats for birds aimed at readers in North America written and curated by Laura Erickson. Due out 20th Dec 2022 from Storey, it's 256 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is a well organized pictorial guide and plant encyclopedia. The first section covers the need for homeowners to help support and build habitat to mitigate the damage of habitat loss due to large scale farming, forestry, and urban sprawl. The bulk of the book contains 100 detailed plant profiles with range maps, sourcing information, habit, and uses. Each of the profiles contain descriptions, uses, culture info, specific species information, and photos of each plant which include wildlife nesting, using, and interacting with target plant species. Botanical nomenclature (Latin name) is used alongside some common/layman names to help with specific sourcing and remove confusion about which specific plant is being discussed.
The photography (mostly stock) is clear, illustrative, and in color.
Five stars. This is a useful guide and will make a good selection for public and school library acquisition, for homeowners, gardening groups, smallholders, activity groups, and similar.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
100 Plants to Feed the Birds is a well written and beautifully photographed manual full of practical tips and information on building and maintaining welcoming habitats for birds aimed at readers in North America written and curated by Laura Erickson. Due out 20th Dec 2022 from Storey, it's 256 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is a well organized pictorial guide and plant encyclopedia. The first section covers the need for homeowners to help support and build habitat to mitigate the damage of habitat loss due to large scale farming, forestry, and urban sprawl. The bulk of the book contains 100 detailed plant profiles with range maps, sourcing information, habit, and uses. Each of the profiles contain descriptions, uses, culture info, specific species information, and photos of each plant which include wildlife nesting, using, and interacting with target plant species. Botanical nomenclature (Latin name) is used alongside some common/layman names to help with specific sourcing and remove confusion about which specific plant is being discussed.
The photography (mostly stock) is clear, illustrative, and in color.
Five stars. This is a useful guide and will make a good selection for public and school library acquisition, for homeowners, gardening groups, smallholders, activity groups, and similar.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
cadbury's review against another edition
5.0
I love seeing all the different variations of birds in my backyard and trying to take a photo of them!
I think this book has great photos, good information for anyone, beginner or expert level, trying to garden or just give birds somewhere new to hang out!
I received this E-ARC for my honest review.
I think this book has great photos, good information for anyone, beginner or expert level, trying to garden or just give birds somewhere new to hang out!
I received this E-ARC for my honest review.
hannas_heas47's review against another edition
4.0
Book offers enough information about different plants to help you feed the birds. It’s an ideal situation if you just want to add a few things or design your own bird oasis.
What did I like? I liked that you could pick trees, flower, bushes or vines to compliment birds found in your area. Only thing I didn’t much care for was how the author depicted the feral cat population. I’ve tried for months to get the cats outside my house fixed but to no avail. It’s the animal controls problem to keep these numbers down, but they make it darn near impossible with their rules.
Would I recommend or buy? I’m definitely going to add some of these to my yard but not sure I should since the cat population where I live is pretty high. All I can do is try. Great book. Four stars!
What did I like? I liked that you could pick trees, flower, bushes or vines to compliment birds found in your area. Only thing I didn’t much care for was how the author depicted the feral cat population. I’ve tried for months to get the cats outside my house fixed but to no avail. It’s the animal controls problem to keep these numbers down, but they make it darn near impossible with their rules.
Would I recommend or buy? I’m definitely going to add some of these to my yard but not sure I should since the cat population where I live is pretty high. All I can do is try. Great book. Four stars!
pam_ritchie's review against another edition
4.0
100 Plants to Feed the Birds by Laura Erickson has a lot of photos of plants and birds, aimed at North America, but shows the pure breadth of different plants that encourage birds into gardens.
I thought the book was really nice, and I was interested to see just how many different birds liked such different plants!
100 Plants to Feed the Birds was published on 20th December 2022, and is available from Amazon, Waterstones and Bookshop.org.
You can follow Laura Erickson on her website.
I was given access to this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Storey Publishing.
I thought the book was really nice, and I was interested to see just how many different birds liked such different plants!
100 Plants to Feed the Birds was published on 20th December 2022, and is available from Amazon, Waterstones and Bookshop.org.
You can follow Laura Erickson on her website.
I was given access to this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Storey Publishing.