Series in Birdwatching
Books in Birdwatching
Crow
From the tip of a crow's beak to the end of its tail is a single curve, which changes rhythmically as the crow turns its head or bends toward the ground. Foraging on their long, powerful legs, crows appear to glide over the earth; they take flight almost without effort, flapping their wings easily, ascending into the air like spirits.Nevertheless, the whiskers around their beaks and an apparent smile make crows, in a scruffy sort of way, endearingly 'human'. In a vast range of cultures from the Chinese to the Hopi Indians, crows are bearers of prophecy. Because of their courtship dances and monogamous unions, the Greeks invoked crows at weddings as symbols of conjugal love. Crows are among the most ubiquitous of birds, yet, without being in the least exotic, they remain mysterious.This book is a survey of crows, ravens, magpies and their relatives in myth, literature and life. It ranges from the raven sent out by Noah to the corvid deities of the Eskimo, to Taoist legends, Victorian novels and contemporary films. It will be of interest to all people who have ever been intrigued, puzzled, annoyed or charmed by these wonderfully intelligent birds.
Crow
From the tip of a crow's beak to the end of its tail is a single curve, which changes rhythmically as the crow turns its head or bends toward the ground. Foraging on their long, powerful legs, crows appear to glide over the earth; they take flight almost without effort, flapping their wings easily, ascending into the air like spirits.Nevertheless, the whiskers around their beaks and an apparent smile make crows, in a scruffy sort of way, endearingly 'human'. In a vast range of cultures from the Chinese to the Hopi Indians, crows are bearers of prophecy. Because of their courtship dances and monogamous unions, the Greeks invoked crows at weddings as symbols of conjugal love. Crows are among the most ubiquitous of birds, yet, without being in the least exotic, they remain mysterious.This book is a survey of crows, ravens, magpies and their relatives in myth, literature and life. It ranges from the raven sent out by Noah to the corvid deities of the Eskimo, to Taoist legends, Victorian novels and contemporary films. It will be of interest to all people who have ever been intrigued, puzzled, annoyed or charmed by these wonderfully intelligent birds.
Eagle
Truly one of the most symbolic birds in the human imagination, eagles have been used for millennia to represent power, divinity, war, justice and freedom. Eagle explores the rich history of this majestic bird, an emblematic creature of vast importance to many cultures throughout the world. Often associated with the cycle of life and death, eagles embody the paradoxes of our existence: the beauty and horror we, as humans, face every day. We associate the eagle with light and learning and also death and corruption. Eagles adorn flags, sports team uniforms, and the logos of fashion brands and feature in many other emblems and crests. But these birds have also been relentlessly persecuted – perceived as predatory threats to livestock and even to us humans. It is clear, however, that we are much more dangerous to them than they are to us. Eagles have suffered the devastating effects of human activities for years, from pesticide use to habitat destruction and global warming; eagles around the world are threatened. The failure to save these birds would be disastrous for ecosystems across the globe, as these birds – the ultimate flying predator – provide unparalleled help with the population control of pests and dispensing of the dead bodies of other animals. Eagle examines our complex relationship with these birds along with their international significance and asks us to consider the implications of losing them to contemporary ecological threats.
Eagle
Truly one of the most symbolic birds in the human imagination, eagles have been used for millennia to represent power, divinity, war, justice and freedom. Eagle explores the rich history of this majestic bird, an emblematic creature of vast importance to many cultures throughout the world. Often associated with the cycle of life and death, eagles embody the paradoxes of our existence: the beauty and horror we, as humans, face every day. We associate the eagle with light and learning and also death and corruption. Eagles adorn flags, sports team uniforms, and the logos of fashion brands and feature in many other emblems and crests. But these birds have also been relentlessly persecuted – perceived as predatory threats to livestock and even to us humans. It is clear, however, that we are much more dangerous to them than they are to us. Eagles have suffered the devastating effects of human activities for years, from pesticide use to habitat destruction and global warming; eagles around the world are threatened. The failure to save these birds would be disastrous for ecosystems across the globe, as these birds – the ultimate flying predator – provide unparalleled help with the population control of pests and dispensing of the dead bodies of other animals. Eagle examines our complex relationship with these birds along with their international significance and asks us to consider the implications of losing them to contemporary ecological threats.
Falcon
The fastest animal alive, the falcon deserves attention not just for the combination of speed, power, beauty and ferocity that has made it an object of fascination for thousands of years, but for the light it sheds on the cultures through which it has flown. This book, bridging science and cultural history, surveys the practical and symbolic uses of falcons in human culture in new and exciting ways. Bestselling natural history writer Helen Macdonald follows the movements of the falcon, her personal experience and knowledge of falconry enriching the history and lore of this bird of prey. She ranges across the globe and over many millennia, taking in natural history, myth and legend, falconry, science and conservation, and falcons in the military, in urban settings and the corporate world. Along the way we discover how falcons were mobilized in secret military projects, their links with espionage, the Third Reich and the space programme, and even how they have featured in erotic stories. Originally published in 2006, this revised 2016 edition features a new introduction. Combining in-depth practical, personal and scientific knowledge, Macdonald offers a fascinating account of the place of these birds in human history. Falcon is for lovers of the countryside, birdwatchers or anyone who has ever wondered why falcons are so compelling.
Falcon
The fastest animal alive, the falcon deserves attention not just for the combination of speed, power, beauty and ferocity that has made it an object of fascination for thousands of years, but for the light it sheds on the cultures through which it has flown. This book, bridging science and cultural history, surveys the practical and symbolic uses of falcons in human culture in new and exciting ways. Bestselling natural history writer Helen Macdonald follows the movements of the falcon, her personal experience and knowledge of falconry enriching the history and lore of this bird of prey. She ranges across the globe and over many millennia, taking in natural history, myth and legend, falconry, science and conservation, and falcons in the military, in urban settings and the corporate world. Along the way we discover how falcons were mobilized in secret military projects, their links with espionage, the Third Reich and the space programme, and even how they have featured in erotic stories. Originally published in 2006, this revised 2016 edition features a new introduction. Combining in-depth practical, personal and scientific knowledge, Macdonald offers a fascinating account of the place of these birds in human history. Falcon is for lovers of the countryside, birdwatchers or anyone who has ever wondered why falcons are so compelling.
Flamingo
The flamingo is possibly the most easily recognized bird in the world. From their long necks to their unmistakable pink colour, they are certainly one of the most unusual-looking animals. But the flamingo is not a single species – there are at least five different species of flamingos, each differing in size and colour. And despite leaving some of the best fossil records, allowing scientists intimate knowledge of their evolution, little is known about where these birds are truly positioned in the avian family tree. Originally it was believed that they were most closely related to birds like storks and herons, but only recently it has been agreed that they are actually closer to grebes. The classification of this distinctive pink bird continues to baffle the scientific community today. Caitlin R. Kight’s Flamingo presents this fascinating creature in an accessible way, introducing the history of the bird, its behaviour, habitats, and symbolism. She describes how the bird gets its rosy pink colour – from pigments in the organisms they eat – and discusses how societies throughout history have each had their own word for the brightly-coloured bird, and why it has become such an iconic animal throughout the world. Flamingo is a wonderful resource for bird-lovers and animal enthusiasts alike, providing valuable insight into just what makes our pink-feathered friend so special.
Flamingo
The flamingo is possibly the most easily recognized bird in the world. From their long necks to their unmistakable pink colour, they are certainly one of the most unusual-looking animals. But the flamingo is not a single species – there are at least five different species of flamingos, each differing in size and colour. And despite leaving some of the best fossil records, allowing scientists intimate knowledge of their evolution, little is known about where these birds are truly positioned in the avian family tree. Originally it was believed that they were most closely related to birds like storks and herons, but only recently it has been agreed that they are actually closer to grebes. The classification of this distinctive pink bird continues to baffle the scientific community today. Caitlin R. Kight’s Flamingo presents this fascinating creature in an accessible way, introducing the history of the bird, its behaviour, habitats, and symbolism. She describes how the bird gets its rosy pink colour – from pigments in the organisms they eat – and discusses how societies throughout history have each had their own word for the brightly-coloured bird, and why it has become such an iconic animal throughout the world. Flamingo is a wonderful resource for bird-lovers and animal enthusiasts alike, providing valuable insight into just what makes our pink-feathered friend so special.
Ostrich
In many senses the ostrich looms large – the tallest and heaviest of any living bird, a fully grown North African ostrich can reach 2.75 metres (9 feet) in height and weigh almost 160 kgs (350 pounds). It also lays the largest egg of any living bird. From its eggs to its meat, skin and feathers, the ostrich has been exploited by humans since history began. The demand for its feathers was so great in Victorian times that vast fortunes were made from ostrich farming, particularly in South Africa and the United States. Following the First World War fashions changed, fortunes were lost and new uses for the now domesticated ostrich had to be found. Nowadays, the modern ostrich farmer not only produces plumes and leather for the luxury market but also meat for the supermarket. In addition to its sheer physical presence, the ostrich has long been an object of curiosity and fascination, becoming a byword for passivity while being feared for its aggression. It has featured in art, literature, film and popular culture, been represented in cave paintings, ancient medieval manuscripts and the Bayeux Tapestry, shown in advertising and drawn as a cartoon character in many modern films. Edgar Williams has provided a singular, comprehensive insight into this extraordinary, outlandish bird, chronicling its behaviour, history and habitat as well as its effect on our culture. Featuring many striking illustrations drawn from nature and culture, Ostrich will appeal to all those interested in birds and the natural world, as well as anyone who follows fashion, art or ancient history.
Ostrich
In many senses the ostrich looms large – the tallest and heaviest of any living bird, a fully grown North African ostrich can reach 2.75 metres (9 feet) in height and weigh almost 160 kgs (350 pounds). It also lays the largest egg of any living bird. From its eggs to its meat, skin and feathers, the ostrich has been exploited by humans since history began. The demand for its feathers was so great in Victorian times that vast fortunes were made from ostrich farming, particularly in South Africa and the United States. Following the First World War fashions changed, fortunes were lost and new uses for the now domesticated ostrich had to be found. Nowadays, the modern ostrich farmer not only produces plumes and leather for the luxury market but also meat for the supermarket. In addition to its sheer physical presence, the ostrich has long been an object of curiosity and fascination, becoming a byword for passivity while being feared for its aggression. It has featured in art, literature, film and popular culture, been represented in cave paintings, ancient medieval manuscripts and the Bayeux Tapestry, shown in advertising and drawn as a cartoon character in many modern films. Edgar Williams has provided a singular, comprehensive insight into this extraordinary, outlandish bird, chronicling its behaviour, history and habitat as well as its effect on our culture. Featuring many striking illustrations drawn from nature and culture, Ostrich will appeal to all those interested in birds and the natural world, as well as anyone who follows fashion, art or ancient history.
Parrot
Highly illustrated, with images drawn from a wide range of cultures, historical periods and media, Paul Carter’s Parrot is a roller-coaster ride through parrots in literature, jokes, folklore, mythology, film, TV and children’s stories worldwide, as well as an examination of parrot conservation, talking bird experiments and parrot portraiture.Parrot is a fascinating natural and cultural history. The book covers three broad areas: ‘Parrotics’ – the historical, cultural and scientific classifications of parrots; ‘Parroternalia’ – the association of parrots with the different languages, ages, tastes and dreams of society; and ‘Parrotology’ – the mimicry of parrots and what that can tell us about our own systems of communication.This book differs from previous histories, which have treated parrots as subjects of curiosity and a pretext for elegy. A new kind of animal history, Parrot is philosophical and poetic: it takes seriously the critical and ironic mirror that parrots hold up to human society. Humorously written and wide-ranging in scope, Parrot will have broad appeal, and will be of interest to parrot enthusiasts and specialists, as well as a general readership.
Parrot
Highly illustrated, with images drawn from a wide range of cultures, historical periods and media, Paul Carter’s Parrot is a roller-coaster ride through parrots in literature, jokes, folklore, mythology, film, TV and children’s stories worldwide, as well as an examination of parrot conservation, talking bird experiments and parrot portraiture.Parrot is a fascinating natural and cultural history. The book covers three broad areas: ‘Parrotics’ – the historical, cultural and scientific classifications of parrots; ‘Parroternalia’ – the association of parrots with the different languages, ages, tastes and dreams of society; and ‘Parrotology’ – the mimicry of parrots and what that can tell us about our own systems of communication.This book differs from previous histories, which have treated parrots as subjects of curiosity and a pretext for elegy. A new kind of animal history, Parrot is philosophical and poetic: it takes seriously the critical and ironic mirror that parrots hold up to human society. Humorously written and wide-ranging in scope, Parrot will have broad appeal, and will be of interest to parrot enthusiasts and specialists, as well as a general readership.