Into the Nest: Intimate Views of the Courting, Parenting, and Family Lives of Familiar Birds

Gr 6 Up—This information-rich introduction to avian reproductive behavior covers topics such as why some birds engage in elaborate mating rituals, how they form strong pair bonds, and how they produce eggs. The first section, "Courting and Mating," covers general behavior. Color photographs illustrate examples of courtship, while the clear text explains egg production and hatching. The rest of the book delves into species-specific content, with each readable, fact-packed chapter tackling a different bird, such as the thrush, wren, oriole, hummingbird, bald eagle, and peregrine falcon. The material is further broken down into subtopics, including "Pairing Up and Nesting," "Parenting," and "Flight Path" (or how long it takes before the young can fly). Attractive photos can be found on every page, revealing parents interacting with their young. Color-coded maps feature information on each species' typical clutch size, eggshell color, and number of broods per season.