Customer Reviews
Basic But Informative - By: Wildlife Bookworm, 22 Aug 2007 
As an ornithological advisor, assistant author, & programme producer to Bill Oddie, there is no doubting Stephen Moss's literary or avian credentials. So not surprisingly this book is well written, presented & researched. Moss has extensive knowledge British & international bird world, & is able to keep the reader entertained through what could be a rather dry subject matter.
There are about 500 questions each with a short paragraph in answer, split into ten chapters. The questions are interspersed with smalll grey boxes containing 'record-holders' such as longest migration & largest egg, as well as genuinely funny captioned sketch-drawings to go with some questions dotted here & there. As it is designed as a 'dip-in' book rather than a cover to cover read there are many parts which are repeated in different questions which can become irritating.
Be prepared for the fact that although you get occasional statistics & anecdotes there are no questions aimed at particular species. Instead questions relate to birds as a whole with individual species referred to within answers. So if you are looking for info on a certain species you may be disappointed unless you stumble across it in an answer to a more general question.
Although the book claims to be aimed at anyone with an interest in birds, it is most suitable for young or beginning bird enthusiasts who want to learn the basics. For this group the book is superb but for anyone with a few years experience of birding there's not much that will be new to them except perhaps for the more obscure facts & figures.
Ultimately the value of this book will depend on the reader. For beginners its great, for the more experienced & knowledgeable it is a little basic & repetitive, albeit still entertaining.
