Omnibird: An Avian Investigator’s Handbook by Giselle Clarkson

Some birds are so commonplace it's easy to forget how extraordinary they are. These creatures have a secret eyelid, hollow bones and a two-part brain. They dress in feathers.

Omnibird explores what is remarkable about the birds around us and the clues we can all use to become avian investigators. Readers can explore the incredible internal structure of bird bones, learn what a gizzard stone is for, and find the fascinating in bird calls, bird poop, feathers, and flight patterns.

A companion book to author and illustrator Giselle Clarkson's The Observologist, this book encourages readers to look at common birds with a new perspective.

Omnibird is split into two halves - the first half teaching readers the investigation techniques you need to be an omnibirder, alongside facts about anatomy, habitat and bird behaviour.

The second half explores 18 common birds from habitats around the world, including eagles, owls and seabirds, starlings, ducks and swans. 

At first we were a little disappointed to not see a flock of New Zealand native birds within the pages as Clarkson focuses on birds that are common all over the world. Once we dived into the book further though, we soon discovered that the skills of omnibirding are transferable. The solid science that Clarkson includes within the pages can be used to decode native birds, while at the same time encouraging the eager to expand their reading further. Omnibird is a great resource for any child, or big kid, around the world.

Clarkson strikes the perfect balance between science and fun in this gorgeous and engrossing book. We spent hours poring over the pages, captivated by her detailed drawings and playful sense of humour.

Omnibird is another beautiful book from a talented writer that will delight, educate and inspire the next generation.

Reviewer: Rebekah Lyell

Gecko Press

Which bird has feathers the shade of apricot jam? Can a bird roll its eyes at you? And can you really guess the temperature of a penguin by the pinkness of its feet? In this fact-filled and fun hardcover book for curious bird-lovers, author and illustrator Giselle Clarkson answers these questions and many more. She provides all the information that every “avian detective” needs.

Investigating a bird is like solving a puzzle. To gather all the pieces, you have to look for clues.  What sort of beak does it have? What do its toes look like?  … The more birds you inspect, the more you’ll start to notice patterns, similarities and differences … You’ll be able to look at any bird and see immediately which puzzle pieces fit.

Clarkson, who also wrote the award-winning The Observologist, makes complex topics easy to understand for young explorers who are fascinated by science and nature.  She introduces key terms that a bird detective needs to know, as well as facts and figures about different types of birds. She even includes suggestions for what to do “when your brain is bulging” with all this new knowledge, reassuring us that we will always be able to fill an awkward silence by sharing a bird fact or two.

Omnibird is aimed at young readers, although bird-lovers of all ages will learn something new about how birds interact with each other and with their environment, their life cycle, and how we can protect and respect them. Clarkson knows her stuff, uses real-life examples, and gives “a big squawk of thanks” to the two ornithologists (“and good eggs”) who provided her with advice.

The first part of the book offers “investigative strategies” (methods for locating and observing birds) and explains what makes a bird a bird. Two large diagrams show what most birds look like on the outside and on the inside too – from the forebrain “where birds keep their thoughts and memories” all the way to the cloaca “the tube where poops, wees, eggs and mating all take place”. There are also sections devoted to bills and beaks, tongues, eggs, feet, feathers, and other birdy bits – such as the caruncles that “make birds look dashingly handsome”.

The second part has thorough notes about birds of all shapes and sizes, from ducks and gulls to birds of prey, including several birds native to New Zealand. You’ll learn about topics such as food preferences, typical feather colouring, mating and nesting behaviours, sleeping habits, and bird call characteristics. There are practical tips for gently shooing a bird outdoors, how to behave around a “scary bird”, and how to pick up a chicken.

Clarkson includes both the common and the Latin scientific names for each bird. She encourages us to learn how to pronounce names such as Griseotyrannus aurantioatrocristatus – a bird whose name she breaks down into familiar words.

Scientific names aren’t as tricky as they first appear.  Even the really impossible-looking ones aren’t so bad if you break them up into pieces. … Say them confidently, and if you don’t get them quite right it doesn’t matter – there’s nothing embarrassing about a bit of trial and error.

Each page is rich in detail and the illustrations are superb, showing a wide variety of both birds and humans (with the odd cat, snail and dinosaur too). There are kids and adults with all kinds of skin tones, hair styles and facial features; some wear glasses, one uses a wheelchair. I love the way that Clarkson’s colourful drawings depict each bird’s personality as well as its distinct appearance. She also uses speech bubbles to good effect. “The secret ingredient for beauty,” says one bird, “is poop.” “You’re making me feel self-conscious…” says a gull gulping down a pigeon.

Omnibird is a substantial size – bigger than most laptops. It's about the height of an A4 page, and a little wider. It should fit easily into a backpack if you’re heading on a bird-spotting expedition, although it won’t fit into a pocket. The pages are a bit thicker than usual, perfect for a book likely to be read and handled often. The detailed index makes it easy to find the information you need.

Before reading Omnibird I’d never wondered why we don’t usually see a duck sitting in a tree, or whether there are birds that have a comb-like toe to help them groom their feathers – but now I know. Read this book and you'll have a whole bunch of intriguing bird facts to share too. It could be the start of a life-long passion.

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There are more than 10,000 different species of bird out there, and you could spend your whole life being surprised by how they look and what they do.

Reviewer: Anne Kerslake Hendricks

Gecko Press