"You don’t need to love birds to find this unusual guide a fascinating delight. "
October 2025 Book of the Month
The Observologist by Giselle Clarkson was one of my favourite information books last year and its unique style and charm is repeated in this lighthearted, but incredibly detailed and informative guide to birds. This really stands out from more traditional guides because it brings the art of observology to the science of ornithology, showing the many ways that these familiar creatures are remarkable if you just take the time to look.
The New Zealand based author skilfully introduces the concept of an “omnibird”—a universal bird template that helps readers identify and understand any species they encounter. All birds are born from an egg, have feathers, two legs, a beak and gizzard. Birdwatching then becomes an enjoyable exercise in puzzle solving.
We are offered 18 detailed explorer’s notes from ‘investigations’ into common birds around the globe and a refreshingly practical section to build skills like the correct way to hold a chicken and how to spot fledglings.
Once again it is the illustrations that are the key to this book’s appeal, combining detailed and very clear anatomical diagrams with the trademark witty touches ranging from speech bubbles, revealing what birds might be thinking, to amusing visual comparisons. Useful, informative and very definitely a book to read with pleasure. Highly recommended.
Have you seen a bird today? Probably, unless you're reading this in bed. Did you truly look at the bird? To open your ornithological eyes and ears, meet the Omnibird.
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Have you seen a bird today? Probably, unless you're reading this in bed.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Omnibird : An Avian Investigator's Handbook and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
Omnibird : An Avian Investigator's Handbook features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Books of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, The Natural World, Science, Wildlife, Ecological and Environmental Interest - Non Fiction, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s / Teenage: General interest, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage: Social issues / topics
Hardback. £15.29, down from the £16.99 cover price. In Stock.
Omnibird : An Avian Investigator's Handbook was written by Giselle Clarkson and published by Gecko Press
Omnibird : An Avian Investigator's Handbook has 92 pages
£15.29, reduced from £16.99. In Stock.
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