Why Do Bluebirds Hate Me?: More Answers to Common and Not-So-Common Questions about Birds and Birding

About the only thing I ever read is non-fiction, usually wildlife books. Typically, the subject is good, but the writing is always the same–dry and monotonous. To me, animals are always fascinating; non-fiction authors are not! Or so I thought until I discovered Mike O’Connor’s books and articles. This guy is a fantastic writer! His style is not only highly entertaining and funny, he knows a ton about birds. As a birdwatcher and (new) writer myself, I’ve been studying birds a number of years, and yet he has the skinny on bird life–things I’ve not read anywhere else. This book would make the perfect gift for a birder, wildlife enthusiast, camper, anyone that feeds birds…or simply for yourself. (I bought my copy for myself.) Chapters are about 2 pages (Q&A format) so it’s great to take with you while you’re waiting for an appointment, or traveling a long distance by car (the passenger can read it aloud), or to read on the subway (I guess; we don’t have subways in Texas), to play a game with older kids or other birders (they try and guess the answer before you read it.) I looked Mike up online; he has a store in Maine called Bird Watcher’s General Store. If I didn’t live so far away, I would definitely go meet him and shop his store. The pictures show it's full of good stuff.

Both hilarious and informative. Can be read in small bites, each chapter consists of the authoranswering a question from his column, or fromcustomers in his bird store on Cape Cod. With wry humor, he pokes fun at himself, the birds, and, of course many of the questions folks come up with. Along the way, between the laughs, we actually learn a great many things about birds we didn't know!

Good read

I love this. It's a great book to pick up for a short read. (bathroom book, maybe) But it's more than that. O'Connor's anthromorphism of birds in an offbeat manner is hilarious, but each installment is also full of good information, things you may want to know if you're a birder. And if you're not, just buy it for the humor. I'm going to get more as gifts.

In this book the author, Mike, bestows life long facts about birds gleaned from hours of studying and bird-watchingpon the reader, and for good measure Mike often extends these lessons to various segments of thehuman world, Retirees, Texans, Yankee fans, etc.. The reader will discover why Oreos cookies became more popular than Hydrox,or the correct spelling of " Hawaii". A very entertaining book and highly recommended.

I love Mikes books always funny but with excellent advise. Everyone who feeds or is a birdwatcher needs this book! I have his first book Why don't Woodpeckers get Headaches. After reading that on had to get this. Its a question and answer book so you can read a few pages and come back later to more. Keep it up Mike....look forward to more books by you.

Not only is this as good as his first book, "Why dont woodpeckers get headaches?", there was a lot of good information that would be useful to a backyard bird watcher. For instance, he gave clear directions on how to cook egg shells to kill bacteria, to crush and feed to birds in the Spring for that extra calcium they need for fledgings.

An ornithologist's lighthearted Q&A to problems facing the average backyard bird enthusiast. Arrived on time and in great condition. Highly recommended. I have Bluebirds year round and now I know why.

Witty and easy to read. Off-beat view of birders and non-birders and why they think and act as they do.