"In these tales about birds, birding, and birders, Dunne has captured many of the feelings that make birding special.... Almost any ornithologist or naturalist would enjoy this book."

—Auk

"His sketchbook tales . . . are lively and brimming with wit, satire, and sensitivity."

—New Jersey Audubon

"The observation of birds can be many things—science, an art, an esthetic experience, a game or sport, indeed anything you choose to make it. To Pete Dunne it is all these things.... Although he can match his extremely sharp eyes and trained ears with anyone... he never loses his sense of fun.... Read what he has to say about birds and the birders who pursue them with such passion."

—From the foreword by Roger Tory Peterson

Tales of a Low-Rent Birder is a collection of nineteen essays and sketches written between 1977 and 1985. It was originally published in 1986.

However, none of these stories really hit home for me, meaning I didn't find myself reading eagerly with great interest (as I did with Kingbird Highway by Kenn Kaufman, or The Rites of Autumn by Dano O'Brien), or wishing for more once a story ended. In fact I kept putting the book aside with a feeling of vague dissatisfaction. Avid birders may have another story to tell, but for me this book was a disappointment.


Passionate account by lively birdwatcher!   June 29, 2000
 10 out of 15 found this review helpful

An original writing style and a true love of birds and birdwatching make this one a standout. With sections on eagles, hawks, bluebills and even birdwatchers themselves, this one is a delight for the fellow birdlover.