I'm NOT a birdwatcher ... this book popped up in a discussion in a Facebook book group, and it was available in KindleUnlimited  (also at the local library) and was short so I figured I'd give it a try. Normally I love digital for books, but with the illustrations and such here, I think a hardcopy might be preferable (of course then I need to put on reading glasses and pull the book close). 

Just okay for me ... some background info on birdwatching, and on birds. Completely snarky tone and loaded with language. I'm sure this would appeal perfectly to some people, I'm just not really one who quite clicked with it. I wanted the REAL name of the bird, not the punny/fowl/foul language version (the real was was printed after in very small lettering). 

One of the other reviewers seemed to say the illustrations were bad - I thought they were quite good (if not in a finished/professional way). I read in the Kindle app (had to enlarge and move portions around) but that was better than the Cloud reader (the illustrations were so tiny there, and didn't enlarge). My paperwhite wouldn't have been in color, and I think I needed these illustrations in color. 

I didn't really feel like I learned much about the birds. There were a few facts, but it was mostly snarky commentary. Ironically, I had some bread out in the garden that the birds have been coming to pick at. I watch them from the kitchen window. My son happened to ask "what kind of a bird is that one?" and my brain said "probably either a stupid sparrow or a dumb-ass finch" ... my mouth didn't say the words, because I don't talk like that, but it was totally there on the tip of my tongue! I think it was a sparrow, but I'm still not sure. 

This book is likely a hit or miss depending on the personality of the reader. I can absolutely see some loving it, while others being totally turned off. 

Magpies were missing - just a common bird around here I would have expected to make the list.