By: Jon Young, Dan Gardoqui (Editor)

Hardcover

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Jon Young’s ear- and eye-opening research begins with a simple premise: if you sit quietly, for as long as it takes nearby birds to stop worrying about you, you can begin to hear what they say to one another and understand what it means. As he has done over many years, and now explains for the first time, nature’s messengers form far-reaching networks of interspecies communication, revealing more about the world around us than any of us could ever see, hear, or sense on our own.  Among many other astonishing facts, he reveals

•  When you take a walk in the woods, the birds that see and hear you pass warnings up to two miles away

•  Some species trick others by imitating predator and warning calls, driving other birds into hiding so they can feast without competition

•  Like an army, birds post sentries, which pass on information about intruders. Information so detailed that the birds know whether the intruder is a hawk, a dog, or a cat, and even whether the animal is actively hunting.

To skillfully interpret bird language, we draw on a synthesis of skills. Knowledge of the landscape, animal behavior, and seasonal patterns are just a few of the elements that play into the mix, but most people don't know what they're looking for, or how to interpret what they do see.

This book gives readers the tools to see more wildlife and understand what they're seeing. By moving in a way that minimizes disturbance, we can observe animals behaving as they do when people aren't present. Knowing that is a key step in understanding the deeper meanings behind bird language, no matter what they are saying.

From the "bird plow" to the zone of silence and the contact call to the alarm call, Jon Young guides the reader to an enhanced awareness of the natural world, a clearer understanding of it, and a deeper connection with both animals and ourselves.

* An AUDIO COMPONENT will include many helpful examples of bird language.

"This book will enhance our own ability to learn what the nestlings learn."- Birding Business "Don't tell lifelong birder Jon Young that robins are boring. He can sit still in his yard, watching and listending for the moment when robins and other birds no longer perceive him as a threat. Then he can begin to hear what the birds say to each other, warning about nearby hawks, cats, or competitors. Young's book will teach you how you, too, can understand birds and their fascinating behaviors." - BirdWatching "A sophisticated guide for amateur bird watchers and a door-opener for newbies." - Kirkus "Though primarily geared toward birders and naturalists rather than lay readers, this passionate instruction manual offers enjoyable anecdotes." - Publishers Weekly?

ISBN: 9780547451251
ISBN-10: 0547451253
Audience: General
Format: Hardcover
Language: English
Number Of Pages: 241
Published: 8th May 2012
Dimensions (cm): 21.5 x 14.8  x 2.2
Weight (kg): 0.386