The spectacular feathers of birds make them a frequent choice for coloring pages. But how many coloring books also teach you about the hows and whys of bird plumage? Michael Erb’s coloring book, A Colorful Introduction to Birds, provides a fun and engaging way for people of all ages to learn more about the diversity of birdlife through coloring, word searches, and crosswords.

Erb, who is a climatology professor and a birder, has included many fascinating facts about bird feathers, abilities, and conservation alongside the biologically accurate outlines of birds. He writes with a light touch about scientific topics, allowing people at any level of bird knowledge to find this book enjoyable. Some of the species featured will be familiar from around Omaha, such as the Yellow Warbler and Cliff Swallow. But others draw from the incredible array of hues found among the world’s birds, such as the Collared Sunbird, Blue-footed Booby, and Scarlet Macaw. And it’s not all about bright primary colors: Erb devotes a full page to the humble Turkey Vulture and its impressive abilities of flight, digestion, and smell. 

Many people first experience birds as a pop of color in the landscape, then are driven to learn more. Erb’s coloring book celebrates bird plumages and provides a way for people to enjoy the amazing appearances of birds from the comfort of home. The book ends with an observation log and suggestions for ways to get started with birding to help kick off a reader’s learning journey, making the book a great classroom activity. 

A Colorful Introduction to Birds and two other coloring books by Erb are available for purchase online from Amazon. Free printable activity pages are available on his website, colorbird.org.