Review of Australia's Birds
Posted: 18 Feb 2022, 23:04
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Australia's Birds" by Richard Steele and David Freedman.]
Do you marvel at majestic birds soaring through the clouds or strolling through the grass? If so, then you’ll love reading Australia’s Birds by David Freedman and Richard Steele. This nonfiction book describes dozens of native and invasive avian species that are found on the continent of Australia. Gorgeous illustrations accompany each entry, showcasing each bird’s unique characteristics. From well-known favorites, like the kookaburra and the sulphur-crested cockatoo to lesser-known species, like the Pacific black duck and the pink robin, birdwatching enthusiasts will be thrilled to read about these magnificent creatures.
The quirky portrait of an emu graces the cover of the book on a featureless white background. (While the emu is impressive in its own right, I think that a cassowary would have been a better choice for the cover image due to its stunning coloration.) With a whimsical charm, David Freedman’s beautiful watercolor illustrations perfectly complement the description of each bird. Richard Steele’s writing style is conversational. He shares his birdwatching experiences, and he provides useful information on how to identify each species according to its appearance, call, and nest-building habits. A table of contents lists each bird in alphabetical order for easy reference. Other than two negligible instances where borderline profanities are used, there is no offensive content.
As an avid birdwatcher myself, I couldn’t help but think that this book was written just for people like me. I was familiar with many of the species listed in this book, but I still learned a lot. The text is filled with interesting facts. I discovered that the black kite can spread forest fires to flush out prey. I also learned that female eclectus parrots have red feathers that are brighter than the males’ green feathers; this is quite unusual among bird species because the males typically display more vivid plumage. It was also surprising to learn that cassowaries can swim. I find it difficult to imagine such an enormous bird gliding through water. I like how the birds’ nesting habits, egg coloration, and diet are briefly mentioned. Mr. Steele added a personal touch by describing species found near his home as well as humorous stories of his encounters with them.
There was not much to dislike about this wonderful handbook. If I had to nitpick, I would only make a few comments. I would have preferred if there were geographical maps indicating the birds’ usual habitats in Australia. Also, I would have preferred if the artist had painted a full-body portrait of the emu instead of just its head. Similarly, there was a painting depicting only the head of a jabiru. I also found over ten errors.
Australia’s Birds by David Freedman and Richard Steele has earned a rating of three out of four stars. I deducted a star because of the number of errors I found. With another round of editing, it will certainly merit a perfect score. In addition to the lovely artwork and fascinating text, this book often raises awareness of the many invasive species that were brought to Australia by early settlers. These outsiders often threaten the survival of native wildlife by outcompeting them for natural resources. Therefore, this publication is ideal for conservationists, birdwatchers, nature lovers, and those who appreciate art. I would like to see the author and illustrator collaborate on further books about Australian reptiles, mammals, fish, and invertebrates.
******
Australia's Birds
View: on Bookshelves
Do you marvel at majestic birds soaring through the clouds or strolling through the grass? If so, then you’ll love reading Australia’s Birds by David Freedman and Richard Steele. This nonfiction book describes dozens of native and invasive avian species that are found on the continent of Australia. Gorgeous illustrations accompany each entry, showcasing each bird’s unique characteristics. From well-known favorites, like the kookaburra and the sulphur-crested cockatoo to lesser-known species, like the Pacific black duck and the pink robin, birdwatching enthusiasts will be thrilled to read about these magnificent creatures.
The quirky portrait of an emu graces the cover of the book on a featureless white background. (While the emu is impressive in its own right, I think that a cassowary would have been a better choice for the cover image due to its stunning coloration.) With a whimsical charm, David Freedman’s beautiful watercolor illustrations perfectly complement the description of each bird. Richard Steele’s writing style is conversational. He shares his birdwatching experiences, and he provides useful information on how to identify each species according to its appearance, call, and nest-building habits. A table of contents lists each bird in alphabetical order for easy reference. Other than two negligible instances where borderline profanities are used, there is no offensive content.
As an avid birdwatcher myself, I couldn’t help but think that this book was written just for people like me. I was familiar with many of the species listed in this book, but I still learned a lot. The text is filled with interesting facts. I discovered that the black kite can spread forest fires to flush out prey. I also learned that female eclectus parrots have red feathers that are brighter than the males’ green feathers; this is quite unusual among bird species because the males typically display more vivid plumage. It was also surprising to learn that cassowaries can swim. I find it difficult to imagine such an enormous bird gliding through water. I like how the birds’ nesting habits, egg coloration, and diet are briefly mentioned. Mr. Steele added a personal touch by describing species found near his home as well as humorous stories of his encounters with them.
There was not much to dislike about this wonderful handbook. If I had to nitpick, I would only make a few comments. I would have preferred if there were geographical maps indicating the birds’ usual habitats in Australia. Also, I would have preferred if the artist had painted a full-body portrait of the emu instead of just its head. Similarly, there was a painting depicting only the head of a jabiru. I also found over ten errors.
Australia’s Birds by David Freedman and Richard Steele has earned a rating of three out of four stars. I deducted a star because of the number of errors I found. With another round of editing, it will certainly merit a perfect score. In addition to the lovely artwork and fascinating text, this book often raises awareness of the many invasive species that were brought to Australia by early settlers. These outsiders often threaten the survival of native wildlife by outcompeting them for natural resources. Therefore, this publication is ideal for conservationists, birdwatchers, nature lovers, and those who appreciate art. I would like to see the author and illustrator collaborate on further books about Australian reptiles, mammals, fish, and invertebrates.
******
Australia's Birds
View: on Bookshelves
Sorry about all the errors. Thanks for a great review!