The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of North America

Hit Amateur Birding Tumblr Now a Hilarious Book

Can one be both curious about bird watching, yet also hate birds? Amateur birder Matt Kracht knows the feeling. Birds can be noisy, messy, and bothersome, but Kracht also knows the exhilaration of seeing a new bird for the first time, even if that elation is easily extinguished when the bird won’t be still enough to be identified, or to be captured by a camera phone. Let’s face it, birds are dumbasses at best or real jerks at their worst. But even these simple facts don’t stop Kracht from documenting some of North America’s most annoying birds in his new book The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of North America.

With its nexus in a failed grade-school attempt to witness an assigned Golden Crowned Kinglet, Matt eventually documented the irritating traits of other birds on his popular Tumblr [60k+ followers] which appeared on Vice and The Verge. Now, Matt collects his angry sketches and disaffected descriptions of 50 birds in a portable guide that amateur birders can use to identify the one whose squawking ruins a relaxing Sunday morning (the Stupid-Ass Stellar’s Jay) or the one that poops on your hanging laundry (Ass-throated Flycatcher).

With expanded descriptions, migratory maps and tips for birding, plus musings on the avian population and the ethics of birdwatching, this guide in hand is definitely worth two Great Blue Morons in the bush.

About the Author
Matt Kracht
is a professional designer and art director based in Seattle who enjoys gazing out the window at the beautiful waters of Puget Sound and making fun of birds.

For more information, review copies, or to interview the author contact April Whitney, ​
e: [email protected], p: 415.537.4253. This site is only for journalist use, please do not link to it from outside sources.

Please see the links below for a watermarked preview pdf of the book.

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