Some people merely use bird songs as an identification tool. Elliott appreciates the aesthetic qualities of avian songs and points to many poets and literary giants who have shared his passion. Prose and poetry by William Cullen Bryant, Benjamin Leggett, Henry David Thoreau, and many other writers inspired by bird songs complement vivid pictures and text.
Descriptions specify the unique vocal elements of each species.
A compact disc accompanies the book and features an audio tour of more than 70 North American songbirds featured in the book.