Having been impressed with Roger Pasquier's scholarly Birds in Winter, I eagerly looked forward to his latest work on birds at rest.
My previous "go to" book on this topic was the seminal work by Alexander Skutch, perhaps the greatest field naturalist of all, Birds Asleep. Skutch's work was based on prodigious field observation and is descriptive in nature, whereas Pasquier reviews the science and brings it all together for us.
Skutch is widely referenced throughout Birds at Rest - and fittingly so. Pasquier draws on Skutch's original findings to a major extent. An impressive bibliography is also provided to enable further study and inquiry.
The book is delicately illustrated throughout by Margaret La Farge.
Modern technology and increased field surveillance yields a trove of information, with powerful computers and their algorithms to analyze data in myriad ways and Pasquier's chapters reflect this sophistication.
He begins with the obvious examination of why birds sleep (not quite as straightforward as one might think) and proceeds to scrutinize every facet of the resting state of birds, their different kinds of sleep, the phenomenon of uni-hemispheric slow-wave sleep, the value and types of roosts, avian sleep patterns related to seasonality, temperature, and predation, and everything in between!
The book is written in a very readable style and the summary at the end of each chapter is a masterpiece. If you were really pressed for time and needed a conversation piece for the cocktail party, the summary would serve you well.
The final chapter deals with human impacts; predictably these are not generally beneficial and involve many of the usual issues such as degradation and elimination of habitat, and environmental pollution, but deals also with the added difficulties associated with noise and light pollution. Roost disturbance and introduced predators pose major challenges for birds.
I think it is a pretty safe bet that many birders, even those with years of practice and experience, have wondered little about the period when birds are at rest, and especially asleep. A thorough knowledge of this aspect of avian life can improve your birding success and enhance your enjoyment. Embrace this book with gusto!
Having been a great admirer of Alexander Skutch since I first became acquainted with him, and a more recent fan of Roger Pasquier, I could not help but muse on what a partnership it might have been had they collaborated on a work such as this. We will never know of course, but we can infer. I bet it would have been great!
Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep - Princeton University Press
Roger Pasquier
Hardcover - US$35.00 - ISBN: 9780691259963
360 pages - 6.125 x 9.25 inches (15.31 x 23.125 cm)
26 black-and-white illustrations
Publication date: 18 February, 2025
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Interesting post.Many times I have wondered about this fenomen.Should like to read the book.Btw..I loove your cute header💖
ReplyDeleteAs always a great review of a book about birds David. I find it always exciting to read about the books you review.
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Marit
Thank you, Marit. Hugs and kisses - David
Delete...if I stood on one leg, I'd fall over!
ReplyDeleteHello Friend! yes, i have wondered about the dreams of birds and fish too. It is a nice book about our feathered friends!
ReplyDeletexoxo and have a good start to the week ahead.
I bet this book is interesting. I often wonder what birds do when they rest, like at night and even more so in the winter.
ReplyDeletePerhaps your local library will add it to their collection, Erika. I have no doubt you would enjoy it. And learn from it too!
DeleteThis sounds quite interesting. They sound just like human beings with all sorts of different kinds of sleep.
ReplyDeleteone of my daily exercises for balance, is to act like a flamingo and stand on one foot, with foot on other knee. I should be able to stand this way for 30 seconds, and can on right leg but not left. I know this has nothing to do with the book, but flamingos are in the top five of my bird list.. how the stand and sleep, the whole flock stands together and sleeps all on one leg.. its amazing. David I thought of you yesterday. since the 3 hurricanes we have seen zero birds except for 2 doves. Yesterday, there were two vultures in the air, we saw 3 blue Jays, 1 flicker and I heard the call of the male cardinal. this is good news. I forgot we did see 6 honking geese a couple of weeks ago, just passing over...
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating topic! How wonderful that this book exists to enlighten people about it and that you're providing an excellent review to let us know about it.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed a fascinating topic, Shari.
DeleteIn 1996 I was riding in a remote area of WI with my husband and a few others on our mules. We all stopped before going into an area and the person in the lead told us all to be silent and not talk, we were headed into the rookery. I didn't understand what they were talking about until we walked quietly under tall trees. I looked up and saw big white birds in nests. I was told they were Egrets and not to look up with my mouth open.
ReplyDeleteI saw them twice and it was the most amazing thing I'd ever seen. At the time I wasn't much interested in birds, but that memory and our silent ride will be in my memory forever.
Definitely an interesting book for all nature and bird fans :-D
ReplyDeleteIt is a fascinating aspect of birds' lives seldom examined by most people. If you can get your hands on a copy I am sure you would find it educational and informative. And it's a very easy read.
DeleteLooks like another wonderful read. Thank you so much for this latest one.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you would find it interesting, Denise.
DeleteAn interesting book to increase your knowledge on birds. Great review, David.
ReplyDeleteHow very interesting, David. I have often wondered how birds sleep - I think I've only seen ducks and swans at sleep. But I did ask myself where the birds that I see in my garden during the day go to in the night and whether they are actually safe. In the evening I do see the Mourning doves in our big tree, but are they still there when it gets dark and I can't see them anymore? Or do they move on to a different place? Maybe this would be a topic for a future post on your blog. Hugs - Carola
ReplyDeleteSomething to consider, Carola. To give you a very short answer, yes, they do move to a separate roosting place. Of course, when the female is incubating eggs, the nest becomes her roosting spot for the night.
DeleteOtro libro que me parece muy interesante. Besos.
ReplyDeleteI find this topic very interesting, David. Once a flock of some tiny birds came and lit in my trees. Hundreds of them flying in and flying out all together. At that time I wondered if they all roost in a tree together and sleep. Thanks for the book recommendation. I hope my library will carry it. Have a great week. Take care.
ReplyDeleteHi David :) Thank you for your review David. this is an interesting topic to be sure. and a book I would enjoy reading. I have pondered about how and when birds sleep before, and this book would enlighten me to it's mystery. Does the book cover migration, and the many hours that birds must stay awake. I know that it's the opposite of what the book is all about, but it just crosse my mind. I will have to learn more about their sleep patterns.
ReplyDeleteStay strong my friend
Hugs and kisses
Sonjia.
Hi, Sonjia: It does indeed cover the ability of birds to sleep in the air while migrating. You doubtless would find the book fascinating and a trove of knowledge. Hugs and kisses - David
DeleteHi David - certainly an interesting topic ... and at times I'd wondered, but never investigated. As you mention I knew birds slept as they migrated ... special powers of avian life. Another book I'd love to read ... sadly I suspect I won't get there ... but thanks for the informative review - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteQuerido David es una reseña estupenda y ya tengo ganas de leerlo. Besos y abrazos para ti y para Miriam.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting book!...it is difficult to find books with drawings....a nice effort!....Abrazotes, Marcela
ReplyDelete