Fantastic Press-Out Flying Birds

These realistic, full-color paper bird models could not be easier to make — and they really fly! Simply press along the perforations, fold according to the instructions, add a penny or a dime for weight, then send them skyward in long, straight glides or looping swoops. All of the birds feature captions that include their Latin names and accurate information about their habitats, behaviors, and pointers on where to look for them.
In addition to the fun of making and flying models, this book offers a great way to learn how to identify birds. Author and artist Richard Merrill, a former aerospace design engineer, has created vivid and recognizable depictions of the birds' plumage. The 24 familiar species in this collection include the Eastern Meadowlark, Baltimore Oriole, and Western Tanager. Some of these birds have decreased in number during recent years and appear on the National Audubon Society's report on endangered birds. This book provides readers of all ages with an opportunity to learn about birds as well as the chance to play with flying paper toys!

Richard Merrill is an engineer, illustrator, puppeteer, and lover of birds, paper airplanes, kits, and design. He founded an energy effiiciency company in Blue Hill, Maine, where he designs interactive informational dashboards for schools and businesses. Details about flying these bird models, identifying birds in the wild, and more are available at his blog, www.3hawk.com.