If you have ever met someone from Michigan, they probably held up their palm and used it as a map of Michigan! The State of Michigan is comprised of two landmasses: the Lower Peninsula, which is roughly shaped like a mitten, and the Upper Peninsula, the land surrounded by Lakes Michigan, Huron, and Superior. With more coastline than any state except Alaska, Michigan is a major vacation destination for both in-state and out-of-state visitors. 

There are so many opportunities to see exciting and unique birds in Michigan. Whether you are a passenger in a car, enjoying a morning coffee on your porch, or exploring the beaches and other remote areas of the Great Lakes State, you might see any of the more than 450 species of birds in Michigan. 50 Things to Know About Birds in Michigan hopes to whet your appetite to be on the lookout for birds as you live in or travel around our state.

Kim Kaiser has written 50 Things to Know About Birds in Michigan to supplement more traditional bird identification books. Even casual birders will use multiple books and sources to identify birds, and this book is not intended to replace any of those resources. But so often those books are focused entirely on what a bird looks like, and they give few details about the unique, secretive, or bizarre behaviors of those birds. Did you know that some birds use snakeskins to ward off predators? Or that some ducks you can see in Michigan nest in trees? 50 Things to Know About Birds in Michigan has gathered together an interesting fact about each bird described, something to help you remember or even seek out a place to observe some of these birds which you find particularly compelling. 

Michigan is an important territory crossed by a substantial number of migrating birds who live in Canada and the Arctic. As a result, many birds can be seen in multiple regions of the state during their migrations north and south. This book is divided into four sections based on the most likely environments where you might see specific birds: Birds of the Lakes, Rivers, and Shores; Birds of the Open Fields, Farms, and Orchards; Birds of the Woodlands; and Birds of the Suburbs.

For species uniquely found in limited or protected locations, information is included to plan the best way to see those birds. Wilderness and other habitats set aside for birds and other wild animals are described. Otherwise, be ready to see many of these birds, incidentally, throughout Michigan. 

Whether you're on your way up north for fishing, hunting, or skiing; heading to sporting events in Detroit; visiting one of Michigan’s premier universities; or just hanging out at home, 50 Things to Know About Birds in Michigan will help you recognize and appreciate the birdlife in the many natural habitats which epitomize the Great Lakes State.