Bird Behaviour

When we see a bird flying from branch to branch happily chirping, it is easy to imagine they lead a simple life of freedom, flight, and feathers. What we don't see is the arduous, life-threatening challenges they face at every moment. Beaks, Bones and Bird Songs guides the listener through the myriad, and often almost miraculous, things that birds do every day to merely stay alive. Like the goldfinch, which manages extreme weather changes by doubling the density of its plumage in winter.

What is it like to be a swift, flying at over one hundred kilometres an hour? Or a kiwi, plodding flightlessly among the humid undergrowth in the pitch dark of a New Zealand night? And what is going on inside the head of a nightingale as it sings, and how does its brain improvise? Bird Sense addresses questions like these and many more, by describing the senses of birds that enable them to interpret their environment and to interact with each other.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER An essential volume for generations of writers young and old. The twenty-fifth anniversary edition of this modern classic will continue to spark creative minds for years to come. Anne Lamott is "a warm, generous, and hilarious guide through the writer’s world and...

A classic work examining bird song as both a means of identification and study of behavior. This recording cites 72 species and 51 songs.

Have you ever wondered how birds know when to fly south for the winter? This introduction to bird behavior explores how and why woodpeckers peck, how pelicans fly without flapping their wings, why birds sing, and more.

""[An] intriguing philosophical journey into a critical issue within evolutionary theory that for too long has remained unresolved."" —Wall Street Journal Matt Ridley is one of our finest science writers. This book is a treat for bird lovers and evolutionary biologists alike.” —Richard...

There are more crows now than ever. Their abundance is both an indicator of ecological imbalance and a generous opportunity to connect with the animal world. Crow Planet reminds us that we do not need to head to faraway places to encounter "nature." Rather, even in the suburbs and cities where...

Pet birds are intelligent, affectionate, and rewarding companions. No matter what bird you choose, you need to set up a happy home for him with the right stuff. You also need to keep your bird healthy by performing routine care and knowing what a healthy bird looks like and how he behaves. This friendly guide describes the birds that make the best pets, explains how to select the bird that's best for you, offers tips on bonding with your feathered friend, and provides expert advice on feeding and environmental enrichment that will keep these intelligent pets engaged.

Noted science writer Virginia Morell explores the frontiers of research on animal cognition and emotion, offering a surprising and moving exploration into the hearts and minds of wild and domesticated animals. Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a fish? Or a parrot, dolphin, or...

Bringing home a puppy? This fun, friendly guide to puppyhood prepares you for this tough but terrific time. From the basics—housebreaking, feeding, training—to the latest on doggie day care, traveling with a puppy, and the new designer breeds, you get everything you need to help your puppy...

Given the turbulence of the world we now live in, clear and effective leadership has never been more important. But equally, there has never been greater pressure on leaders to perform and to provide inspirational leadership for their teams and organisations. If people are to step up into challenging leadership roles and succeed in inspiring others, their first priority must be to find ways in which to discover that inspiration for themselves. The Inspired Leader will help them to do just that.