Birds and Us
A 12,000 Year History, from Cave Art to Conservation
By Tim Birkhead | Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
About the book
In Birds and Us, award-winning writer and ornithologist Tim Birkhead takes us on an epic and dazzling journey through this mutual history with birds, from the ibises mummified and deified by Ancient Egyptians to Renaissance experiments on woodpecker anatomy, from Victorian obsessions with egg collecting to the present fight to save endangered species and restore their habitats.
Weaving in stories from his own life as a scientist, including far-flung expeditions to wondrous Neolithic caves in Spain and the bustling guillemot colonies of the Faroe Islands, this rich and fascinating book is the culmination of a lifetime's research and unforgettably shows how birds shaped us, and how we have shaped them.
'Birds and Us wings its way through 12,000 years of our species' engagement with the avian world. Birkhead tells it all with delightful gusto, plaiting personal encounters with challenging historical research and bewitching scientific rigor' Tim Dee
'Thought-provoking at every turn, this inspiring, shocking, wonder-filled exploration of our relationship with birds from earliest times delivers a sobering challenge to us living with birds today' Isabella Tree, author of Wilding
'A fascinating book about the close and often surprising relationship between birds and people, written by one of our leading ornithologists' Stephen Moss
Editions of Birds and Us
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780241460498
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780241990131
- EBook
- ISBN 9780241990148
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780241995914
Read an Excerpt
In Birds and Us, award-winning writer and ornithologist Tim Birkhead takes us on an epic and dazzling journey through this mutual history with birds, from the ibises mummified and deified by Ancient Egyptians to Renaissance experiments on woodpecker anatomy, from Victorian obsessions with egg collecting to the present fight to save endangered species and restore their habitats.
Weaving in stories from his own life as a scientist, including far-flung expeditions to wondrous Neolithic caves in Spain and the bustling guillemot colonies of the Faroe Islands, this rich and fascinating book is the culmination of a lifetime's research and unforgettably shows how birds shaped us, and how we have shaped them.
'Birds and Us wings its way through 12,000 years of our species' engagement with the avian world. Birkhead tells it all with delightful gusto, plaiting personal encounters with challenging historical research and bewitching scientific rigor' Tim Dee
'Thought-provoking at every turn, this inspiring, shocking, wonder-filled exploration of our relationship with birds from earliest times delivers a sobering challenge to us living with birds today' Isabella Tree, author of Wilding
'A fascinating book about the close and often surprising relationship between birds and people, written by one of our leading ornithologists' Stephen Moss
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Birds and Us about?
In Birds and Us, award-winning writer and ornithologist Tim Birkhead takes us on an epic and dazzling journey through this mutual history with birds, from the ibises mummified and deified by Ancient Egyptians to Renaissance experiments on woodpecker anatomy, from Victorian obsessions with egg collecting to the present fight to save endangered species and restore their habitats.
Weaving in stories from his own life as a scientist, including far-flung expeditions to wondrous Neolithic caves in Spain and the bustling guillemot colonies of the Faroe Islands, this rich and fascinating book is the culmination of a lifetime's research and unforgettably shows how birds shaped us, and how we have shaped them.
'Birds and Us wings its way through 12,000 years of our species' engagement with the avian world. Birkhead tells it all with delightful gusto, plaiting personal encounters with challenging historical research and bewitching scientific rigor' Tim Dee
'Thought-provoking at every turn, this inspiring, shocking, wonder-filled exploration of our relationship with birds from earliest times delivers a sobering challenge to us living with birds today' Isabella Tree, author of Wilding
'A fascinating book about the close and often surprising relationship between birds and people, written by one of our leading ornithologists' Stephen Moss
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Birds and Us?
Mathematics and Science > Biology, life sciences > Zoology and animal sciences > Zoology: birds (ornithology)
Where can I read a sample of Birds and Us?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780241460498
How long is Birds and Us and how many pages does it have?
Birds and Us has 464 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Birds and Us?
Tim Birkhead
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Birds and Us is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780241460498) and paperback(ISBN 9780241990131) and ebook(ISBN 9780241990148) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780241995914)
Where can I buy Birds and Us online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Birds and Us from below
Where can I buy Birds and Us?