Last week, I caught ML looking out the mail slot of the front door.  She continued doing this for five minutes while I rushed around getting my stuff together for work.  Finally, I asked, “What are you looking at?”  Her response, “The most beautiful bird I’ve ever seen.”  Two bright yellow birds were flitting around in our neighbor’s tree.

So I did what all responsible librarians do.  I posted a question on Facebook, hoping a friend knew more about birds than I.  Several did.

Then, I looked for books at the library.  Someone recommended National Audubon Society Field Guide to Birds but it was checked out.  I found Birds of Eastern North America by Paul Sterry & Brian E. Small  and The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of North America by Bill Thompson III.

Both of these bird books are easy to use with large detailed, photographs.  In no time, ML was able to identify the bird.  It was a goldfinch.