Book Review - What Is a Bird? - An Exploration of Anatomy, Physiology, Behavior, and Ecology - Princeton University Press

 

     It has been my experience, over many years, that a substantial number of birders, dedicated though they are to the birds that occupy their daily thoughts and activities, are reluctant to learn more about those same birds. They seem unwillingly to make the effort to invest the time required to study them in greater detail, perhaps deterred by the relatively technical nature of the books and papers covering anatomy, origins, physiology etc. 

     This is the book for them!

     To cite an overworked aphorism, here is everything you wanted to know about birds but were afraid to ask! And it is all presented in a manner that is easy to read, devoid of excessive technical jargon, illustrated in wonderful ways and completely within the grasp of even the most unscientific mind.

     The work is edited by Tony Williams, but a renowned group of contributors has put together the chapters. Let me give you their names, for they deserve recognition: Tony D. Williams, Julia A. Clarke, Chad Ellason, Scott A. MacDougall-Shackleton, Scott McWilliams, Elizabeth MacDougall-Shackleton and Frances Bonier.

     Without exception, each topic is covered precisely, accurately, and completely, is distilled down to its essence, and nothing is lost. It is quite remarkable that so much information is delivered so well and so completely, in abbreviated form, while maintaining the integrity of the topic.

     It is instructive to review the chapter titles:

Chapter 1 - Introduction

Chapter 2 - Feathers, Beaks, Scales and Claws

Chapter 3 - Muscles, Skeleton and Nervous System

Chapter 4 - Physiology

Chapter 5 - Getting Around

Chapter 6 - Migration and Navigation

Chapter 7 - Food and Foraging

Chapter 8 - Social Behaviour and Communication

Chapter 9 - Reproduction

Chapter 10 - Human Dimensions

     Please bear with me while I break down the subsets of Chapter 1, to illustrate the detail that is typical of every chapter.....What is a bird?, Evolution of birds, Evolution of feathers and flight, Birds in the making, Classification and evolutionary history, Diversity of extinct and living birds, Natural and sexual selection, Annual cycles, Life-history variation.

     You can appreciate in an instant the extent of the knowledge that will be gained from that first chapter alone, and you will never look at birds in the same way again. And this pattern continues throughout the book.  You will actually be excited about moving from one chapter to the next. Your sense of elation will grow exponentially as you learn more with each page.

     The book contains an excellent glossary and a relevant list of works for further reading, broken down by chapter. I was pleased to recognize many of the titles that I consider important, that reside on my shelves, and have been well used over many years.

     This is an impressive work from every standpoint and even though the novice will derive most benefit from it, it is not to be shunned by even the most knowledgeable ornithologist. The pictures alone make it worthwhile!

     I hope that many bird enthusiasts who have been reluctant to learn in greater depth will take the plunge with this book. And when someone asks at the next cocktail party whether its true that some birds are able to sleep on the wing, you will not only be able to reveal that they are so enabled, but to explain how! It doesn't get much better than that!

What Is a Bird? An Exploration of Anatomy, Physiology, Behavior and Ecology - Princeton University Press

Edited by Tony D. Williams

Hardcover - US$35.00 - £30 - ISBN 9780691200163

Published: 8 December 2020 368 pages - 400 coloured illustrations - 8.5" x 11"