Book Review - Birdpedia - Princeton University Press

 

     This is a charming book, both witty and informative. When you can have facts delivered with a sense of humour, you are off on the right foot from the get-go.

     The book is organized alphabetically, the first entry being "Abundance" and the last "Zugenruhe" - with everything else in between. Christopher Leahy covers a wonderful range of matters ornithological, from biology and science to whimsical topics such as the use of the generic name Halcyon for kingfishers, and its origins in Greek mythology. As birders we tend to revel in such arcane facts! There can never be too much grist for the ornithological mill it seems.

     Some of the sections are quite detailed, the one on Song for example, with great coverage succinctly done, touching on the various types of birdsong and their purpose. As a quick reference Birdpedia is unrivalled. It is perfect for the novice, but should not be overlooked by veteran birders and serious ornithologists. Its small size makes it very convenient to have in the car for use as a handy reference during a birding trip.

      I laughed out loud a couple of times at Leahy's sense of humour, perhaps aligned with my own twisted wit. One such instance that springs immediately to mind is "Jizz (Not what you're thinking)".

     In addition to the matters one might expect to be discussed, Leahy addresses the contemporary issue of "Birdwatching while Black", and I applaud his courage, and his social conscience, in tackling it. It is perhaps an issue to which few white birders (the vast majority) give little attention, but in the twenty-first century the time has come to ponder why black birders are under-represented and to ask ourselves whether we can assist in redressing this imbalance. Drew Lanham's book, The Homeplace: Memoirs of a Colored Man's Love Affair with Nature should be essential reading for everyone. Ask Harvard-educated Christian Cooper what happens to a black man who courteously asks a woman in Central Park to leash her dog as required? The outcome is not pleasant, but it is predictable.  There are black birders with good jobs driving a nice car who have been unreasonably stopped for suspicion that it may have been stolen. And don't dare park in a pristine white neighbourhood, and if you wear a sweatshirt to ward off the chill winds of fall, pulling up the hoodie could be dangerous to your health and well-being. The time for changes in both attitude and practice is long overdue. Bravo Christopher Leahy for including this section.

     I would be remiss if I failed to mention the charming black-and-white illustrations of Abby McBride. They are extremely well done and add immeasurably to the book.

     For anyone with even a passing interest in birds, this is a great little book, guaranteed to both inform and please.

Birdpedia - Princeton University Press

Author: Christopher W. Leahy

Illustrated by Abby McBride

US$16.95 - £9.99 - ISBN: 9780691209661

Publishing date: 6 July 2021

272 pages - 4.5 x 7.5 inches - 50 black-and-white illustrations