From the Science & Nature Section: Bird Book Reviews
From the Science & Nature Section: Bird Book Reviews
A List of New Books for the Bird-Lover in Your Life
By Kelly Barth
Note: Scroll to the bottom of this article for a full list of all titles that have been mentioned!
Birds and Us: A 12,000-Year History from Cave Art to Conservation by Tim Birkhead
For the birder/sociologist/historian in your life, this beautiful book explores the ancient, mutually life-altering relationship between humans and birds.
In the Footsteps of Audubon by Denis Clavreul
Well-known French watercolorist Clavreul picks up where Audubon left off, creating stunning images of many of the birds Audubon himself painted. He also documents his own discovery of Audubon’s work and the many people he encounters still carrying on a lifetime of conservation art.
The Bald Eagle: The Improbable Journey of America’s Bird by Jack Davis
This book takes readers from the early days of America’s founding and Benjamin Franklin’s harsh judgment of the bald eagle as a “bird of bad immoral character,” through the precipitous decline from DDT, through to the species’ nearly unbelievable recovery throughout North America.
Hawk’s Way: Encounters with Fierce Beauty by Sy Montgomery
Don’t let the pocket size of this book fool you. It packs a punch. Montgomery describes her experience as a falconer’s apprentice. It will leave you with a renewed appreciation for the utter wildness of raptors and the people who work with them.
The Hummingbirds’ Gift: Wonder, Beauty, and Renewal on Wings by Sy Montgomery
In this little gem, Montgomery describes her experience watching her wildlife rehabilitator friend raise a nest of tiny baby hummingbirds. In her classic, awestruck fashion, she amasses a collection of facts about these tiny marvels that will astound.
Owls of the Eastern Ice: A Quest to Find and Save the World’s Largest Owl by Jonathan C. Slaght
Travel with the writer to the frozen lands of Northeast Asia to learn more about this enormous (a wingspan of six feet and height of two) yet elusive bird before it is too late to assist in its recovery from endangered status. With narratives of freezing cold nights in tents and daring climbs to nest sites, this book is a great story about the practical and often grueling work of conservation.
The Christmas Owl: Based on the True Story of a Little Owl Named Rockefeller by Gideon Sterer and Ellen Kalish; Illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki
This tells the story of the little saw-whet owl found in the enormous evergreen brought to Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan. Children can follow his rescue and rehabilitation journey and revel in the magical illustrations of New York City at Christmastime.
Slow Birding: The Art and Science of Enjoying the Birds in Your Own Backyard by Joan E. Strassmann
An enjoyable read for expert birders and newbies alike, this book reminds readers of the multitudes we have yet to learn about the birds literally right outside our window.
Around the World in 80 Birds by Mike Unwin
This is a lovely book discussing 80 species of birds from around the world that will remind readers anew why we love birds in the first place.
The Secret Perfume of Birds: Uncovering the Science of Avian Scent by Danielle J. Whittaker
Compelled to investigate the unfounded claim that birds cannot smell, evolutionary biologist Whittaker fell through the scientific rabbit hole. She and colleagues discovered not only that birds themselves have an odor appealing to mates but also learned many amazing things about the “smelly” biochemicals of many other creatures. A fascinating and, at times, hilarious read.
Conversations with Birds by Priyanka Kumar
Note: We do not currently have this title on hand. It is on order and will arrive in early 2023!
Raised at the foot of the Himalayas, Kumar didn’t realize the importance of the natural world in her life until living in the cement jungle of Los Angeles reminded her of all she had once taken for granted. This lovely collection of essays by filmmaker and birder Kumar will resonate with many who have, in birding, found the way forward as a person and as a species.
An artist's uniquely personal journey across America
Best Books of the Month: Wall Street Journal, Kirkus Reviews
From the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Gulf, a sweeping cultural and natural history of the bald eagle in America.
A splendid and luminous celebration of one of nature’s most perfect and mysterious creatures—the hawk—from the New York Times bestselling author of the “astoundingly beautiful” (NPR) The Soul of an Octopus.
From the beloved New York Times bestselling author of the “fascinating…entertaining” (The Daily Beast) National Book Award finalist The Soul of an Octopus, a charmingly perfect gem of a book about the most exquisite and extraordinary of winged creatures—hummingbirds.
As one of the most beautiful a
A New York Times Notable Book of 2020
Longlisted for the National Book Award
Winner of the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award and the Minnesota Book Award for General Nonfiction
A Finalist for the Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year Award
Winner of the Peace Corps Worldwide Special Book Award
A one-of-a-kind guide to birding locally that encourages readers to slow down and notice the spectacular birds all around them.
Many birders travel far and wide to popular birding destinations to catch sight of rare or “exotic” birds. In Slow Birding, evolutionary biologist Joan E. Strassmann introduces readers to the joys of birding right where they are.
This beautiful and inspiring book tells the stories of 80 birds around the world: from the Sociable Weaver Bird in Namibia which constructs huge, multi-nest 'apartment blocks' in the desert, to the Bar-headed Goose of China, one of the highest-flying migrants which crosses the Himalayas twice a year.
The untold story of a stunning discovery: not only can birds smell, but their scents may be the secret to understanding their world.
A 2023 Firecracker Award Finalist
An Apple November 2022 Best Book of the Month"Birds are my almanac. They tune me into the seasons, and into myself."
