Missoula writer Deborah Richie Oberbillig writes about the cool accomplishments of 40 birds that reside in, or migrate through, Montana in a book aimed at 8-to-12-year-old readers. She chronicles everything from the fastest bird (peregrine falcon) and smartest (common raven), to birds with the biggest bills (white pelican), best sense of smell (turkey vulture) and messiest nest (black-billed magpie).

Close-up photographs by Don Jones augment nifty charts that tell where and when to find each bird, and list habitat, foods and best viewing spots. Illustrations by James Lindquist give a fascinating look at the inner-workings of birds, from the five-inch tongue of a northern flicker that helps it nab insects, to the hooked talons that enable osprey to snag fish.

This book is bound to inspire some would-be ornithologists to head for the hills with binoculars in hand."

-Kristi Niemeyer, Lively Times

"Deborah has a brilliant talent and flair for grabbing the reader right away, young and old alike, and causing them to think--ponder what may seem obvious, and explore mysteries from the natural world. This book is one of a kind and can only lead to further exploration and admiration for our neighbors, the birds."

-Kate Davis, director, Raptors of the Rockies

"Bird Feats is chock-full of cool illustrations that complement a lively and informative text. I suspect that this colorful book will find a place on many a child's nightstand, where each entry will be read over and over again. After your child reads this book, you will most assuredly not be smarter than your fifth grader!"

-Richard Hutto, professor and director, Avian Science Center, University of Montana Division of Biological Sciences