Customer Reviews

The Private Lives of Birds: A Scientist Reveals the Intricacies of Avian Social Life

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I agree with amolba's statement about the lengths a grad student will go in the pursuit of "knowledge", especially when avian enthusiasts around the world have been breeding exotic species (often in free flighted colonies) and can easily "report" (without interfering with the processes) some of the behavior and "facts" represented in this book. I bred Lovebirds for many years in a free flighted aviary and I know for a FACT that the hen in a pair of mates (very bonded opposite sex pairs) can, and do, mate with another male in the aviary and produce one (or more) young from that mating. I can think of one Dutch Blue hen who produced six chicks, one of which was a Pied who identically resembled (when finally in full feather) his father, who was extremely bonded to his own hen (also on the nest at the time). Obviously this sort of behavior is common in birds with some exceptions.

I did come away from this book with some very interesting information, some of which I suspected or deduced from my own experience with both my Lovebirds and birds in the wild. As an expert in animal behavior of another species, I understand how very difficult it is to put into words the deep concepts behind certain animal behaviors. However, I found this text to be heavily anthropocentric in ways that I think could have been avoided. Over all, I hoped to gain a great deal more knowledge from this book than I actually did.

There are some very interesting studies summarized in the book, though they are presented in a somewhat dry, uninteresting manner. As a naturalist, I continue to be amazed at the lengths grad students think it is ok to go with wild animals in the name of research.

The Private Lives of Birds: A Scientist Reveals the Intricacies of Avian Social Life comes from a 'bird detective' biologist whose field studies of birds offers many insights into bird behaviors. From understanding bird social life to becoming more aware of their needs, The Private Lives of Birds offers lay readers an opportunity to understand the science behind birding. Highly recommended!