I want to thank the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book. The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of the Whole Stupid World describes birds in an amusing and irreverent way. I didn’t like that it sometimes used foul language to describe some birds. But the book is not intended to be an actual field guide. People with an understanding and knowledge of birds would “get” the jokes and more likely enjoy this book.

As a librarian,, when choosing books, one of the top questions I consider is "who's the audience for this?" My impression of this book is it is trying to do for the stereotype of bird-watchers as nerdy, obsessed, and socially in-ept what the cringe-worthy "sexy librarian" label was supposed to do for librarians. (By the way, the overwhelming majority of us fall somewhere in between the stern bun and sensible-shoes wearing shusshers and the sexy librarian.) I'm all for breaking out of stereotypes and expanding perspectives, and it's not a bad thing to get to know birds, but based on tone and language, I actually like the less-than-pristine, yet accurate drawings that illustrate the book compared to the perfection of a illustrations in a typical bird guide, they have a lot of energy. I'd say the audience for this book may be the curmudgeon type, who claim to don't really give a sh-- but actually kind of do.

The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of the Whole Stupid World is the sequel to The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of North America by American author, Matt Kracht. After explaining his reasons for writing the guide, Kracht goes on to criticise the accepted nomenclature system for its complexity and provides an alternative. He disagrees with the geographical regions that scientists divide the planet into, and provides his own.

He systematically insults scientists, ornithologists, bird watchers, teachers and the birds themselves. He frequently inserts expletives into his descriptions; initially this is mildly amusing, but it soon wears thin; it is likely intended to be funny and clever, but it falls short, more like juvenile comments playing to grade school boys, even including a fart joke.

Each bird monograph provides an illustration, the bird’s geographical range, and some facts about the bird, including appearance. Kracht often anthropomorphises the bird’s behaviour to justify his annoyance with it. He gives it a name using a play on the bird’s common name. The most innocuous of these is probably the Boring Chickadee (from the Boreal Chickadee).

Birds Throughout History consists of a number of photographs of artefacts including birds for which Kracht’s interpretations draw rather a long bow. The final pages include a few word games. From 23 ratings on GoodReads this book has a rating average of 3.78, so it clearly appeals to a number of readers, but this brand of humour is not for everyone.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Chronicle Books

I loved the Field Guide to the Dumb Birds of North America and this is a great follow-up. The artwork perfectly complements the wry humor, which I find laugh-out-loud funny. I will definitely be adding this to my field guide collection and gifting it to my bird-loving friends.

I was provided with an eARC of this book in exchange for a fair review.

I adored the precursor to this book (The Field Guild to Dumb Birds of North America), and so I was THRILLED to see we are getting a second edition. This book was absolutely hilarous, with plenty of snark and irreverence. The perfect book for any bird lover. Or bird hater. ;)

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I found the first book to be quite funny but this is just a continuation of the same thing. One book was enough for me.

Do Not: Pick up this book if you want a field guide to birds

Do: Pick this up if you want to laugh at the big dumb fucking birds from all across the whole stupid world.

This is such a funny book.I love the illustrations. It's the funniest book of the year hands down. The play on words in regards to the bird names is A+

I absolutely loved 'The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of North America' and this sequel doesn't disappoint. The author has provided us a hilarious romp through the world's various birds, with great artwork and even greater names for each of these dumb birds.

I'm going to be honest this was a difficult one to read but only because I was laughing so hard I could hardly see the print through my tears. What an absolute joy this was.

The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of the Whole Stupid World
by Matt Kracht
Chronicle Books

I have to say that I read the first book and bought it. I couldn't wait for another one! This one didn't disappoint. I loved it! I kept me laughing at the silly descriptions of birds, the drawings, the added notes, and all the extra info! LOL! Having a whole world of birds to pick from really added to the fun!

Although it was hilarious, there was a bit of education in there too. I mostly just read it for the fun. I love birds and humor so this was perfect. This would be the perfect gift for animal or bird lovers. (Or for someone that just needs a pick-me-up.)

I really enjoyed the new exercises at the end of the book! That was a hoot! So funny. Will be buying this after it comes out too!
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this terrific book!

Ok, so Section 2 (“The Birds”) has such categories as: Backyard Assholes, Egoists and Show-offs, Fuckers, and Murder Birds (among others). I think that might give you a good idea of what to expect from this book (if the title didn’t already tip you off).

The familiarity of his writing kinda makes it feel like you’re reading a bird-themed Tumblr blog. But, you know, professional. He makes you feel like you’re talking to a friend and not reading a science journal. Except if that friend was a misanthrope. (What’s the bird version of a misanthrope?)

Any wannabe birders of, let’s say, a more conservative nature probably need not apply here, however. The author’s sense of humor (and facility with, um, language) is what really makes this book. His open resentment of the little feathered shits who have simultaneously given him great joy and great frustration in his pursuit of them is such fun to read and is THE WHOLE POINT OF THE BOOK. But don’t think it’s merely a matter of him adding in a few F-bombs here and there. Oh no. He explains exactly why each bird in the book is an asshole. (The bird descriptions are the best part.) It all makes for an enjoyable (and informative!) journey into the bird world.

I’m not sure Darwin or Audubon would necessarily approve but I found this to be pretty hilarious. Just so it’s clear, this is definitely not an official field guide to birding. This is something that should be read for fun. (You can totally enjoy this without having the slightest interest in birds, tbh.) It is crass, it is snarky, it is juvenile. That said, I have never enjoyed a bird book more. And don’t just skip to the photos; this one you’re going to want to read every word of.

This was a quick and funny read. Although it was a bit repetitive, I still enjoyed the author's candor. I might even go back now and read his first release in this similar vein. I would recommend this book.

I struggle to think of the last book that made me laugh this much. Not even some of the books by stand up comics that I've had the pleasure of reading have made me laugh so much I weep. There's just something about Matt Kracht's strategic use of swear words that just worked. It's easy to swear. It's easy to drop an F bomb or any other four letter word, but it takes talent to use it at the right time.

What's even more impressive is that this book actually teaches you about birds. Not a whole lot of birds, but if you want to learn about a whole mess of birds, but enough to tickle the fancy of both bird and comedy lovers. I never read Kracht's first book, but I will now.

I love the author’s sense of humor and obvious love of birds. I also own a copy of the first book.❤️

As I read the descriptions and facts about each bird I was dumbfounded due to the unexpected names the author gave these birds. The author does gibe the correct name of the bird under his “own” bird name. The illustrations are drawings by the author. While it is funny, you do get some facts about the bird. I found that he covered birds in North and South America, Africa, Asia, Europe' and Oceania. There is a matching game, bird descriptor checklist, and how to draw a bird. It also tells you things that annoy him about these birds. It will give you facts with a snarky wit. It’s a sequel to a previous book which I wasn’t aware of. Its “The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of North America.”

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book isn't for everyone as there is a lot of language and sarcasm and you can't be easily offended to enjoy this book to the greatest extent. I personally thought it took a subject that could be quite boring and feel more like reading an encyclopedia on birds and turned it into something that is educational yet funny. I love the illustrations of all the birds. The description about each bird is educational yet spun in a less formal and more sarcastic manner. The slight name changes to the birds, or even the few that just have weird names, makes me laugh. Overall, this book is humorous and surprisingly full of facts too. Very enjoyable read.

I laughed out loud several times when reading this book. Obviously, this book about birds is meant to be funny and sharply sarcastic. While it’s definitely not for the easily offended, I actually learned quite a bit about birds! An enjoyable read.

A hilarious and quick read! I have an elementary knowledge of birds and love to travel so this sequel was perfect for me. It’s the perfect combination of funny angry rants and interesting information. Would be great as a gift for just about anyone with a sense of humor.

If birds were real and not government drones, this would be a perfect read. I especially loved the historical aspect, as well as the fact that other people find the Potoo as deeply unsettling as I do.