Toronto Reference Library Blog

This morning a huge bird of prey swooped down right next to my window which explained why there had been no birds at the feeder all morning. Looking up from below I had a clear view of its mottled underbelly and knew what it felt like to be a terrified mouse. Its size took my breath away. 

If you are getting bored with the regulars at your bird feeder then come into the Business, Science and Technology Department at the Toronto Reference Library and browse our huge collection of bird books: topics range from  bird behaviour, phsyiology, migration patterns, songs, as well as identification guides for all over the world.

A must-read for Ontario birders is the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario, 2001-2005. This collaborative project maps each species' distribution and abundance in Ontario and compares these to the previous Atlas  (1981-1985). This incredibly unique resource provides such an intimate portrait of each species that it is hard to put the book down. The maps show that many species have decreased in areas where human populations have increased, but that reintroduction programs and the banning of DDT have had positive results on previously threatened birds. Find out what Margaret Atwood and Robert Bateman have to say about the Atlas at this Bird Studies Canada site.

 Come into the third floor of the Toronto Reference Library to identify a bird, research your favourite species or fall in love with a new one. 

This morning a huge bird of prey swooped down right next to my window which explained why there had been no birds at the feeder all morning. Looking up from below I had a clear view of its mottled underbelly and knew what it felt like to be a terrified mouse. Its size took my breath away. 

If you are getting bored with the regulars at your bird feeder then come into the Business, Science and Technology Department at the Toronto Reference Library and browse our huge collection of bird books: topics range from  bird behaviour, phsyiology, migration patterns, songs, as well as identification guides for all over the world.

A must-read for Ontario birders is the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario, 2001-2005. This collaborative project maps each species' distribution and abundance in Ontario and compares these to the previous Atlas  (1981-1985). This incredibly unique resource provides such an intimate portrait of each species that it is hard to put the book down. The maps show that many species have decreased in areas where human populations have increased, but that reintroduction programs and the banning of DDT have had positive results on previously threatened birds. Find out what Margaret Atwood and Robert Bateman have to say about the Atlas at this Bird Studies Canada site.

 Come into the third floor of the Toronto Reference Library to identify a bird, research your favourite species or fall in love with a new one.