Understanding Bird Behavior: An Illustrated Guide to What Birds Do and Why

A vivid, in-depth look at why birds behave as they do

Birds are intelligent, sociable creatures that exhibit a wide array of behaviors—from mobbing and mimicking to mating and joint nesting. Why do they behave as they do? Factoring in sound and flock interactions, as well as seasons and habitat, Understanding Bird Behavior decodes the remarkable actions of birds, using examples from species around the world.

Richly illustrated, this book opens by showing us how birds find food, relying on foraging techniques, tools, and thievery. We learn about the courtship rituals through which birds choose, compete for, woo, and win mates; the familial conflicts that crop up among parents, offspring, and siblings; and the stresses and strains of nesting, including territory defense, nepotism, and relationship sabotage. We discover how birds respond to threats and danger—through such unique practices as murmurations, specific alarm calls, distraction displays, and antipredator nest design. We also read about how birds adapt certain habits—preening, migration, breeding, and huddling—based on climate and climate change.

Investigating avian tactics both familiar and unusual, Understanding Bird Behavior offers a fascinating, close-up look at the many ways birds conduct themselves in the wild.

• A comprehensive overview of bird behavior
• 150 detailed color illustrations and photographs
• An in-depth look at food gathering, courtship and mating, family organization, danger avoidance tactics, and climate-driven behavior
• A list for further reading is provided