Why Don't Woodpeckers Get Headaches?: And Other Bird Questions You Know You Want to Ask

Taking my cue from the title, I imagined Why Don’t Woodpeckers Get Headaches? to be on of those 1001 questions answered sorts of books. You know the type: modestly informative but sleep-inducing. Mike O’Connor’s book was nothing of the sort. It is a collection of questions and answers, but O’Connor’s informal personality and wit shine through on every page. I was pleasantly surprised.

This book, compiled from the author’s Ask the Bird Folks column, is witty and entertaining. O’Connor’s writing style is conversational, meandering, and just a bit hokey. That only makes it thoroughly entertaining, though. He even answers the questions eventually. :-)

Questions in the book tend to focus on backyard birds and their behavior, show more but some wander into topics of waterfowl, migration, nesting, and basic birding. O’Connor tackles the thorny issue of squirrels, too. They’re not birds, but birders know them well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope to see another one by the same author some day.

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The book is a series of questions and answers taken from the author's column "Ask The Bird Folks". They cover a vast array of topics such as how to attract birds to your yard, putting up bird feeders and nestboxes, choosing binoculars, explaining bird behavior, and answering questions that only his readers could possibly come up with! Questions such as, why do birds poop in the birdbath? There really is an answer.

It was witty and humorous and a good book for new birders who want to learn more about the behavior of the birds that inhabit their yards.

This book has answered many questions for me and prompted many more. It's truly fascinating and well written.

Snarky and informative!