"The village of Mark on the Somerset Levels is a watery wonderland, rich in wildlife: rooks and roe deer; sparrows and snowdrops; the iconic brown hare and the spectacular hummingbird hawk-moth. As the year unfolds, Stephen Moss witnesses the landscape as it passes from deep snow to spring blosson, through the heat haze of summer to the chill winds of autumn, from the first hazel catkins to the swallows returning from Africa. [This] is both the story of a small corner of the West Country and a celebration of the natural world."--Back cover.

Covering 31 North American species, with more than 250 color photos and 33 maps, this is the most comprehensive field guide to hummingbirds. Introductory chapters cover the natural history of hummingbirds, ways to attract and feed them, and major hot spots in the United States and Canada for observing these fascinating birds. The 31 color plates illustrate 28 species, 7 hybrid combinations, 3 forms of albinism, and 4 species of sphinx moths often mistaken for hummingbirds. Species accounts provide in-depth information on plumage, molt, songs and calls, wing sounds, similar species, behavior, habitat, distribution, taxonomy, and conservation concerns. Detailed range maps show breeding, non-breeding, and year-round distribution, migration routes, and records outside expected areas of occurrence.

This book covers many of the different kinds of hummingbirds found in North America, and their life-cycle.

Hummingbirds have always held popular appeal, with their visual brilliance, extraordinary flight dexterity, jewel-like color, and remarkably small size. This is the first book to profile all 338 known species, from the Saw-billed Hermit to the Scintillant Hummingbird. Every bird is shown life-size in glorious full-color photographs. Every species profile includes a flight map and key statistics, as well as information about behavior, plumage, and habitat. This authoritative guide has been annotated by the world's leading experts on hummingbirds and features a foreword by renowned birding author Pete Dunne.

A fascinating reference guide to nature's "jewels in flight." Often called "jewels in flight" due to their brilliant plumage, the tiny hummingbird is a welcome friend in gardens and on patios everywhere. These fascinating little avians have long captured our imagination with their spectacular beauty and magical ability to hover in midair. Discover these remarkable little birds in the Complete Book of Hummingbirds by Tony Tilford. This is the ultimate reference guide to hummingbirds, featuring a comprehensive overview of the birds' biology, evolution, behavior, breeding, and migration patterns. You'll be awestruck by the amazing updated collection of full-color photographs depicting hummingbirds in flight and at rest in the Gallery of Hummingbirds. Learn how to attract hungry hummingbirds to your garden! Discover the kinds of plants and flowers that they love to visit, and how to create artificial feeding stations by making your own hummingbird food. From Woodnymphs and Mountain-Gems to Plovercrests and Hillstars, this thorough book describes all the hummingbirds of the world, and includes a helpful reference section, complete with a glossary and recommended websites for further reading.