The Wisdom of Birds

This is one of the most entertaining, informative and enthusiastic accounts of the history of ornithology; and of the many different ways in which we have observed, studied and wondered about birds. Stephen Moss – The Telegraph

Tim Birkhead’s wonderful book The Wisdom of Birds explores themes such as migration and almost every other facet of avian science. .. In a way, the evolving narratives attaching to certain birds, which Birkhead has so elegantly explored, demonstrate how important they have been to our understanding of natural science, but also more widely in helping us orient ourselves to the whole of life.  Mark Cocker – The Guardian

A well-researched recital of 2,500 years of avian biology, in which Birkhead details the complexity of birds which had never been explored – executed in a remarkably entertaining manner.  – Scotland on Sunday

I found this book absolutely fascinating. It not only made an engaging read but it provided answers to ornithological questions that I have not seen properly resolved by other authors over the years. Mike Toms – Bird Table.

Tim Birkhead not only is one of the most renowned behavioural ecologists and a leading ornithologist who for example, introduced the topic of sperm competition into ornithology, but also a brilliant didactic writer with a big heart for all questions related to the formation of modern biology. In a fascinating and gripping way he knows how to explain to his readers the development of ornithology, and to bring the history of our trade closer. Karl Schulze-Hagen - Journal of Ornithology

In his splendid, lively and beautifully illustrated history, The Wisdom of Birds, Tim Birkhead explains that the close study of birds and questioning of their baffling, morphology, reproductive habits and behaviour goes back at least to Aristotle. .. even someone not particularly drawn to birds will surely finish reading Tim Birkhead’s book amazed at their variety, quirkiness.. and ingenious ability to adapt to their environment. Harry Eyres – Financial Times

Sure-footed and coherent in chronicling his profession or expounding science for the layman, Tim Birkhead underlines the enchantment at the heart of ornithology… The patron saint of ornithologists is, or ought to be, St Francis of Assisi. He would surely have blessed this book. Jonathan Keates – Sunday Telegraph

One of the book’s central achievements is to rescue the pioneering naturalist John Ray from obscurity… But Birkhead is not content with relating what such a philosopher or scientist wrote about a particular moment in time – although he does it brilliantly. His originality is to show how and why, as well as when, we discovered new things about birds….  Several histories of ornithology have hit the bookshops in the past few years, but this is the pick of the bunch. Ben Hoare – BBC Wildlife Magazine

It’s never easy to write an entertaining history of scholarship, since at the root of this study lie ideas and perceptions, not birds. Birkhead has given us a delightful if selective view of how human attitudes to birds have changed, and much of what he has to say illuminates how we ought to view other species, including humans. This book excels at recognizing the contributions of amateur birders and scientists alike, based solely on the merit of their discoveries. This welcome volume makes what often seems a dry affair – the process by which biology changes and revises its approach – entertaining and immediate. A.J. Levin – Globe and Mail (Canada)

The Wisdom of Birds assembles a wealth of both ancient and modern knowledge… it embraces many of the big topics in ornithology, but it is also rich in detail. Whether you want the wide sweep of history or details such as sperm nests, and half siders, or more pedestrian topics such as how female Acorn Woodpeckers gain acceptance to new groups, The Wisdom of Birds is a book you’ll be glad to own, and you will return to it often. George Clulow – BC Birds

A wonderful book that discusses difficult concepts in a clear and readable way. Highly recommended. Clive Goodwin – Canadian Field Naturalist