Spring: Eastern bluebird -- Canada goose -- American goldfinch -- Northern cardinal -- American crow -- Ruby-throated hummingbird -- Mourning dove -- Summer: Chimney swift -- Belted kingfisher -- Barred owl -- Great blue heron -- Pileated woodpecker -- Northern mockingbird -- Common grackle -- Autumn: Cedar waxwing -- White-breasted nuthatch -- European starling -- American robin -- Black-billed cuckoo -- Winter: Dark-eyed junco -- Wild turkey -- Blue jay -- House sparrow -- Purple finch

In spare and graceful words, poet and birder Michael J. Rosen captures the forecasting call of the mysterious cuckoo as well as essential characteristics of more than twenty commonly seen North American birds. This artfully compiled book, enriched by the artwork of watercolorist Stan Fellows, captures the excitement of recognizing a bird, whether a darting kingfisher, a wandering wild turkey, or a chirpy house sparrow