Sky Dancers: The Amazing World of Canadian Birds

Patrick Colgan is the executive director of the Canadian Museum of
Nature in Ottawa.

This zesty, chatty book, excellently illustrated by Douglas Penhale,
focuses on the biology of selected species of birds, many from the West
Coast. The text covers such interesting ornithological topics as the
agility and energy needs of hummingbirds, the scavenging and thermal
gliding of turkey vultures, the communication of jays, the skilful
flight of forest hawks, the courtship coloration and salt excretion of
puffins, the social activities of quail, the feeding and hole nesting of
woodpeckers, the fishing and comfort activities of pelicans, the
importation and versatility of starlings, and the graceful movements of
swans. The reviews of birds’ anatomy, behavior, and lifestyle are
augmented with germane material on the economic impact of birds,
measures for their conservation, folk tales, social history, fossil
finds, and aeronautics. As an introduction to birds, Sky Dancers will
both entertain and stimulate young readers. Highly recommended.