A conversational tone marks the text of this highly accessible introduction to several different kinds of common water birds, including loons, grebes, mergansers, mallards, wood ducks, Canada geese, gulls and herons. Arnosky's years of experience as a careful wildlife watcher inform both his realistic drawings and paintings, and the information he shares with young readers. Throughout the book, he gives pointers on how to distinguish between different species and how to tell males from females. He also suggests things to watch for--how a bird folds its wing after it lands, for instance, or what it means when a mother duck swims behind her ducklings, instead of in front of them. (Ages 3-8)