Tim Birkhead Boeken

The perfect book for birdwatchers and armchair ornithologists everywhere.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to fly Or to live high in the tree tops Or perhaps you've wondered what birds do when no one is looking Birds have some of the most extraordinary - and peculiar - behaviours on the planet. Ravens love PLAYING games. In winter, they sledge down snow-covered rooftops on their bellies, getting faster and faster. Partridges are SNEAKY and know just how to trick hungry foxes. And honeyguides are HELPFUL. They help humans to find the sweetest treat in the forest - honey. These are just some of the incredible stories you'll read in this book. With fascinating factual detail and playful storytelling from ornithologist Tim Birkhead and vibrant, personality-filled illustrations from Cat Rayner, this book captures what it's really like to be a bird.

How are eggs of different shapes made, and why are they shaped as they are? When does an egg's shell harden? Why do some eggs contain two yolks? What creates the colors and patterns of an eggshell, and why do they vary? Which end of an egg is laid first—the blunt or the pointy end? These questions are explored as the journey of a bird's egg from creation and fertilization to hatching is examined, with scientific knowledge set against a historical backdrop. The exploration begins with the stunning, uniquely patterned eggs of the guillemot, leading into the eggs of hens, cuckoos, and other birds, revealing fascinating facts about these natural wonders. Interwoven with these insights are extraordinary stories of individuals captivated by the study and collection of eggs since Ancient Egypt, often not to the benefit of conservation efforts. Grounded in science and enriched by a lifetime of bird observation, this work offers an engaging exploration of the science behind eggs and the history of humanity's obsession with them.

In the 1870s English canary breeders caused a scandal by feeding their Norwich canaries with red peppers to turn them orange. A German bird enthusiast, Hans Duncker tried to breed, rather than feed, to produce a red canary. This is the story of early attempts at genetic manipulation.

The title is also a perfect description of the book itself - full of wonder and surprise and beautifully written Nick Davies, author of Cuckoo

A hugely engaging book about birds, their senses, and behaviour that is informed by an attractive blend of personal experience, entertaining stories, and cutting-edge science. From the author of "The Wisdom of Birds."

"Since the dawn of human history, birds have stirred our imagination, inspiring and challenging our ideas about science, faith, art and philosophy. Looking to the skies above, we have variously worshipped them as gods, hunted them for sustenance, adorned ourselves in their feathers, studied their wings to engineer flight and, more recently, attempted to protect them. 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"--Publisher's description.

'Birkhead has combined ingenuity and perseverance to produce an evocative portrait of a great pioneer in the scientific study of birds' Literary Review Francis Willughby lived and thrived in the midst of the scientific revolution of the seventeenth century. Along with his Cambridge tutor John Ray, Willughby was determined to overhaul the whole of natural history and impose order on its complexity. It was exhilarating, exacting and exhausting work. Yet before Willughby and Ray could complete their monumental encyclopaedia of birds, Ornithology, Willughby died. In the centuries since, Ray's reputation has grown, obscuring that of his collaborator. Now, for the first time, Willughby's own story and genius are given the attention they deserve. Tim Birkhead celebrates how Willughby's endeavours set a standard for the way birds and natural history should be studied. Rich with glorious detail, The Wonderful Mr Willughby is a fascinating insight into a thrilling period of scientific history and a lively biography of a man who lived at its heart.

Birkhead reveals a world in which males and females vie with each other as they strive to maximize their reproductive success. Color illustrations.

Focusing on the ecological tragedy of the Great Auk, the book explores the devastating impact of human exploitation on this once-thriving seabird species. It details the Auk's idyllic life at sea and its vulnerability to human predation, particularly after European discovery in the 16th century, leading to its extinction by 1844. The narrative also delves into the obsession with collecting its remains, highlighting a poignant journey through history and conservation. Renowned ornithologist Tim Birkhead's involvement adds depth to the exploration of the Auk's legacy.