There is nothing better than the sight of a rare bird. Whether sitting in your backyard when an errant traveller stops by, or trekking to an exotic location, every encounter is a gift.

Through a lifetime of experiences, Gene Walz shares the joy of the birding life in Happiness is a Rare Bird.

With quirky terms such as vagabonds, endemics, fall-out, jinx birds, and lifers, the unique birding community brings together kindred spirits to marvel at the incredible diversity of their avian subjects.

From common house sparrows to the spectacular Cock of the Rock (front cover), every bird is a beauty. Through his numerous memorable birding experiences, Walz paints a picture of a life that is as colourful as the birds he has seen. In nearly every continent around the world he's found happiness and it truly is a rare bird.

Gene Walz has catalogued exotic birds on every continent save Antarctica, but still has a special place in his heart for the common house sparrow.
An avid birder since 1972, Gene collaborated on two books for Nature Manitoba. Birds of Manitoba won the Manitoba Book Awards for Best Illustrated Book and the Seton Award.
Professor of Film Studies at the University of Manitoba since 1974, Gene Walz retired in 2012, and lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Gene Walz's profile page

As a "recovering" birdwatcher, I find Gene Walz's Happiness is a Rare Bird, a rare treat of a read. From Ecuador, to the Arctic, to his backyard in Winnipeg, Walz has written a funny, charming, sweet, engaging series of stories filled with amazing insights.-Charles F. Rattigan, Executive Director, Vermont Institute of Natural Science