Book News

Birding in an Age of Extinctions
by Martin Painter

From Whittles Publishing:

This is a book about what it’s like being a birder in an age of natural decline. It is part autobiographical – tales of spell-binding birding encounters that left indelible memories – and it is part reflective. The travellers’ tales of birding adventures are about places and events that were variously entertaining, amusing, captivating, inspiring, exciting and awesome, literally. They also feature the amazing, eccentric, dedicated, inspiring people in the birding community. There is birding in the Himalayas, in the Australian outback, on the Southern Oceans and in hotel gardens and city parks and there are tales of the ‘big-listers’, ‘big-lensers’, professional guides, and local conservation workers who try to keep their habitats safe for us.

Martin’s experiences in becoming a birder late in life revealed some strange behaviour which he soon learnt to take for granted as a member of the birding community. Why tear off chasing the next tick when we were having such a good time in the forest we were already exploring? Why was seeing a rare parrot in a cage less significant than seeing a ‘wild’ one that was being hand-fed in a nature reserve?

There are chapters about all of these puzzles and oddities, and more – their origins and, in some cases, how they shape our behaviour in somewhat perverse ways. All these tales and reflections are shaped by birding during an extinction crisis and the growing biodiversity crisis. As he observed trashed habitats and vanishing bird populations during his travels, Martin’s growing dismay and alarm about these issues coloured everything. There is the paradox of ‘extinction birding’ – it is not difficult today to see some vanishingly rare birds because they are hanging on in reserved, fenced spaces, kept alive by artifices such as captive breeding. Because our visits to these places provide funds, we are among these species’ last hopes for survival. Is this the best we can do? Faced with the growing crisis, we can all do better.

In this book, the author asks some challenging questions about birding and our behavior as birders. If you’re looking for a thought-provoking book about birding, or enjoy birding narratives/memoirs but are starting to get tired of their usual formula, give this one a read.

Birding in an Age of Extinctions
by Martin Painter
Paperback; 224 pages
Whittles Publishing; January 15, 2021
ISBN: 9781849954877
$24.95

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Nightingale
by Bethan Roberts

From Reaktion Books:

A melodious paean to the natural history and symbolic meaning of the most prized, poetized, and mythologized of songbirds.

The nightingale has a unique place in cultural history: the most prized of songbirds, it has inspired more poems than any other creature, and it is also the most mythologized of birds. Nightingale juxtaposes the bird of poetry, music, myth, and lore with the living bird of wood and scrubland, unpicking the entangled relationship between them. Covering a huge range of poets, musicians, artists, nature writers, and natural historians—from Aristotle, Keats, and Vera Lynn to Bob Dylan—Nightingale charts our fascination through history with this nondescript yet melodious little brown bird. It also documents the nightingale’s disappearance from British breeding grounds and the implications this has for nightingale conservation.

I’ve never seen or heard a Nightingale for myself, unfortunately. Whether you’re like me or are lucky enough to hear this renowned songster every year, this new book is the perfect introduction to the bird itself and its place in literature and the arts.

Nightingale
by Bethan Roberts
Paperback; 224 pages
Reaktion Books; November 26, 2021
ISBN: 9781789144741
$19.95

The Complete Birds of the World: Every Species Illustrated
by Norman Arlott, Ber van Perlo, Jorge R. Rodriguez Mata, Gustavo Carrizo, Aldo A. Chiappe, and Luis Huber

From Princeton University Press:

This is a book like no other―the only truly comprehensive, one-volume illustrated guide to all of the world’s birds, covering the complete International Ornithological Congress World Bird List. Featuring more than 300 stunning large-format, full-color plates, this accessible and authoritative encyclopedic reference presents incredibly detailed, accurate, and beautiful paintings of more than 10,700 species by some of the world’s best bird artists, led by the legendary Norman Arlott and Ber van Perlo. In addition, The Complete Birds of the World provides detailed but concise identification information about each species on facing pages―including facts about voice, habitat, and geographic distribution. The result is a visual and verbal feast that captures the astonishing variety of bird life around the planet―and that will be cherished by any birder.

• Illustrates more than 10,700 species, covering the complete International Ornithological Congress World Bird List, and including all major adult plumages for each
• Features more than 300 stunning large-format, full-color plates by some of the world’s leading bird artists
• Presents detailed but concise identification information about each species on facing pages―including facts about voice, habitat, and geographic distribution

It’s so much fun just to flip through this book and discover all the birds out there to be seen. However, there are two things that must be mentioned. First, the illustrations vary widely in quality. Most of them are provided by Arlott and van Perlo. The former’s work is excellent, I really enjoy it. The latter’s is not nearly as good and suffers from appearing on the same plates as the others. The second thing that must be mentioned is that, despite the claim in the press copy above, this is not the only “one-volume illustrated guide to all of the world’s birds” – Lynx Edicions’ All the Birds of the World preceded this one by a year. Lynx’s book is arguably better, depending on what you are looking for and how you will be using it. But if you just want a convenient way to browse and compare all the birds of the world (and what birder wouldn’t?) – The Complete Birds of the World works well and is a relative bargain.

The Complete Birds of the World: Every Species Illustrated
by Norman Arlott, Ber van Perlo, Jorge R. Rodriguez Mata, Gustavo Carrizo, Aldo A. Chiappe, and Luis Huber
Hardcover; 640 pages
Princeton University Press; September 7, 2021
ISBN: 9780691193922
$65.00

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Habitats of the World: A Field Guide for Birders, Naturalists, and Ecologists
by Iain Campbell, Ken Behrens, Charley Hesse, and Phil Chaon

From Princeton University Press:

The first field guide to all of the world’s major land habitats―richly illustrated and packed with essential information to help you get the most out of your outdoor adventures.

Accurately identifying and understanding habitats in detail is essential to any birder, naturalist, outdoor enthusiast, or ecologist who wants to get the most out of their experiences in the field. Habitats of the World is the first field guide to the world’s major land habitats―189 in all. Using the format of a natural history field guide, this compact, accessible, and comprehensive book features concise identification descriptions and is richly illustrated―including more than 650 color photographs of habitats and their wildlife, 150 distribution maps, 200 diagrams, and 150 silhouettes depicting each habitat alongside a human figure, providing an immediate grasp of its look and scale. Each major habitat has an illustrated “climate box” that allows easy comparisons between habitats. Thirty other illustrated boxes present clear explanations of complex phenomena affecting habitats―from plate tectonics and mountain formation to fire regimes and climate change. Requiring no scientific background, Habitats of the World offers quick and reliable information for anyone who wants a deeper understanding and appreciation of the habitats around them, whether in their own backyard or while travelling anywhere in the world.

• Covers 189 of the world’s major land habitats
• Provides all the information you need to quickly and accurately identify and understand habitats anywhere in the world
• Features concise text, more than 650 color photographs of habitats and their wildlife, an up-to-date distribution map for each habitat, and hundreds of helpful diagrams and illustrations

I can’t believe this is the first field guide such as this. Anyone who travels for birding, or any other kind of nature travel, should have this book. It will be a great help in understanding what kind of habitats you may travel through, including what birds and other animals you can expect to find there.

Habitats of the World: A Field Guide for Birders, Naturalists, and Ecologists
by Iain Campbell, Ken Behrens, Charley Hesse, and Phil Chaon
Flexicover; 568 pages
Princeton University Press; September 28, 2021
ISBN: 9780691197562
$35.00

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Bird Families of North America
by Pete Dunne and Kevin T. Karlson

From Mariner Books:

This guide takes readers beyond merely identifying birds to understanding them. Many birders can tell the difference between a White-eyed and Bell’s Vireo but cannot begin to describe a vireo and what distinguishes members of this family from warblers or flycatchers. The “species by species” approach makes it difficult to appreciate birds for what they are: members of well-organized groupings united by common traits. Putting the focus on families, and their shared characteristics, makes bird identification easier and more meaningful. More than 150 color photos illustrate the 81 bird families of the United States and Canada.

This book, from two noted birders/authors, provides a succinct introduction to learning these birds apart from identification. Despite the title, though, the vast majority of this book is species accounts. While this could be helpful to beginners, I can’t help but feel that one of Karlson’s previous books – Peterson Reference Guide to Birding by Impression – is actually a better family-level guide than this book.

Bird Families of North America
by Pete Dunne and Kevin T. Karlson
Hardcover; 288 pages
Mariner Books; August 3, 2021
ISBN: 9780358164074
$26.00

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Naturalized Parrots of the World: Distribution, Ecology, and Impacts of the World’s Most Colorful Colonizers
Edited by Stephen Pruett-Jones

From Princeton University Press:

There are more than 350 species of parrots in the world, and approximately 300 of these species have been transported to other countries through the caged pet trade. Whether through escaped captivity or purposeful release, many of these parrots are now breeding in new habitats. Indeed, no less than 75 species of parrots have established breeding populations in countries where they were introduced, and parrots are now among the most widely distributed group of birds. Naturalized Parrots of the World is the first book to examine this specific avian population.

Bringing together the work of leading researchers in one convenient volume, this book explores the biology of naturalized parrots and their interactions with native ecosystems. Experts discuss the global distribution of parrots, their genetics, conservation implications, and human responses to these birds. They also consider debates surrounding management issues and the lack of consensus around nonnative species in the wild. Later chapters feature case studies of the two most successful species―the Rose-ringed Parakeet and Monk Parakeet―as well as studies of the introduced parrot species located in specific countries and regions, including the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, northern Europe, South Africa, and Australia.

Highlighting critical aspects of conservation biology and biodiversity, Naturalized Parrots of the World will be an invaluable resource for parrot owners, ornithologists, conservation biologists, and birdwatchers.

It must be noted first of all that this is not a field guide, nor an account of all the parrots that have been introduced around the world. This is a synopsis of current research on introduced parrots, in the form of 19 chapters written by various ornithologists on various topics. It’s probably too technical for most birders, but could be very valuable to other ornithologists and those working in conservation.

Naturalized Parrots of the World: Distribution, Ecology, and Impacts of the World’s Most Colorful Colonizers
Edited by Stephen Pruett-Jones
Hardcover; 304 pages
Princeton University Press; August 10, 2021
ISBN: 9780691204413
$45.00

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Birdpedia: A Brief Compendium of Avian Lore
by Christopher W. Leahy

From Princeton University Press:

A captivating A–Z treasury about birds and birding

Birdpedia is an engaging illustrated compendium of bird facts and birding lore. Featuring nearly 200 entries―on topics ranging from plumage and migration to birds in art, literature, and folklore―this enticing collection is brimming with wisdom and wit about all things avian.

Christopher Leahy sheds light on “hawk-watching,” “twitching,” and other rituals from the sometimes mystifying world of birding that entail a good deal more than their names imply. He explains what kind of bird’s nests you can eat, why mocking birds mock, and many other curiosities that have induced otherwise sane people to peer into treetops using outrageously expensive optical equipment. Leahy shares illuminating insights about pioneering ornithologists such as John James Audubon and Florence Bailey, and describes unique bird behaviors such as anting, caching, duetting, and mobbing. He discusses avian fossils, the colloquial naming of birds, the science and history of ornithology, and more. The book’s convenient size makes it the perfect traveling companion to take along on your own avian adventures.

With charming illustrations by Abby McBride, Birdpedia is a marvelous mix of fact and fancy that is certain to delight seasoned birders and armchair naturalists alike.

Birdpedia is a miscellany of bird information, from migration to Audubon to birds in politics. It is basically a slimmed-down version of the author’s previous book, The Birdwatcher’s Companion. While that older volume was fodder for serious birders, this book’s target audience seems to be, as the author puts it, “curious reader[s]”. But no matter who you are, I bet you’ll learn something here.

Birdpedia: A Brief Compendium of Avian Lore
by Christopher W. Leahy
Hardcover; 272 pages
Princeton University Press; July 6, 2021
ISBN: 9780691209661
$16.95

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More Birds Than Bullets: My Life with Birds
by Geoffrey McMullan

From Pathfinder UK:

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to combine your interests with your career? Serving in the British Army has allowed the author to follow his innate passion for birds and interest in travel which has taken in to place he could only have dreams about. The stories are based on his experiences with birds, people and places all over the world, both in and out of the army.

This is a very different sort of birding memoir. To be honest, I hadn’t made it very far into the book when I put it down for a while; I wasn’t too sure about it. But in picking it back up today and reading a little more about it elsewhere, I think I may have been premature. I’m going to give it another chance.

[Update] I did give this book another chance and am glad that I did. It would still greatly benefit from some editing, but the stories are great and unique – certainly unlike anything else I’ve read. It’s worth a read.

More Birds Than Bullets: My Life with Birds
by Geoffrey McMullan
Paperback; 220 pages
Pathfinder UK; January, 2020
ISBN: 9780957618145
£14.99 UK, $18.99 US, €16.99 EU

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Full Chase Mode: Big Year of Birding in North America
by John Vanderpoel

From Buteo Books:

John Vanderpoel is a lifelong birder and the creator of the critically acclaimed Advanced Birding Video Series with Jon Dunn. In 2011, John set off to undertake a North American Big Year. His whirlwind adventure took him to the edges of the continent. He sailed the high seas with the Admiral of the Atlantic, the Queen Bee of the Western Sea and a modern-day mystic. He raced ATVs over the stones of St. Lawrence Island with the Czar and up a snow-covered pass on Adak Island in the middle of December with a frontier man. Along the way, he tallied more North American birds in one year than he’d seen in his entire life and met scores of interesting people, including many of the legends of the birding world. He wasn’t searching for the meaning of life – he was too busy living it. For three hundred and sixty-five incredible days.

This is a lively tale and keeps your interest. Those who appreciate big year narratives should enjoy this latest entry in this specialized genera. And anyone contemplating doing a North American big year of their own can learn a great deal from it.

Full Chase Mode: Big Year of Birding in North America
by John Vanderpoel
Paperback; 512 pages
Buteo Books; April, 2021
ISBN: 9780931130205
$24.95

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My Tiny Life by Ruby T. Hummingbird
by Paul Meisel

From Holiday House:

Tiny but mighty! A ruby throated hummingbird tells his own life story in this funny, bright, informative entry to the critically acclaimed Nature Diary science series.

May 15: Today I poked my way out of this tiny egg.

With Mom feeding him insects and nectar, Ruby T. Hummingbird is soon able to beat his wings and fly—up, down, backward, and forward—and forage for himself. But don’t be fooled! This elegant creature can turn into a fierce fighter if another hummingbird tries to feed on his flower—or his hummingbird feeder.

June 21: This flower is MINE! No you don’t.

A second test of his strength comes when he migrates to a warmer climate in the fall and a cooler climate in the spring.

March 1, 5 a.m.: I’m off! Wish me luck.

Children will love poring over the bright, highly detailed illustrations and pondering ideas about nature.

The book includes a glossary and further information in the back of the book. Both art and text have been vetted for accuracy by an expert.

This is a cute-looking book, recommended for children age 4-8 (Preschool – 3rd grade).

My Tiny Life by Ruby T. Hummingbird
by Paul Meisel
Hardcover; 40 pages
Holiday House; April 13, 2021
ISBN: 9780823443222
$17.99