Of all the animals in nature, birds are at once the most elusive and the most visible. With today's species now numbering around 10,000, they coexist with us in a variety of shapes and colors, and they animate the landscape wherever we go.
From early cave drawings to Audubon's art, the Ugly Duckling to Freebird, the Road Runner to the Raven, birds have been depicted in art and poetry, cartoons and film, myth and legend... and have been an endless source of curiosity and inspiration in every culture around the world.
Whether you're a beginning birder, a seasoned expert, or just an admirer from afar, Bird-watcher's Bible brings it all home, blending art, science, his-tory, folklore, and fun in one delightful volume.
The journey begins 400 million years ago and illuminates the major milestones: fossils and cave art from the prehistoric past; the mythic lore of the ancients; Carolus Linnaeus's classifications; Mark Catesby's early American illustrations; Charles Darwin's observations. Fast-forward to the modern day, where everyone, for the cost of a pair of binoculars, can become as skilled as time, interest, and patience permit.
Within these pages, noted natural history writers and bird experts share their knowledge about bird anatomy and behavior; the mysteries of migration; the latest avian science; and methods to find, feed, attract, and identify birds wherever you are, whether traveling or right in your own back-yard, Amusing anecdotes, amazing avian facts, and archival and contemporary art abound throughout, giving us a keener awareness of how birds inhabit our imaginations and our world. Whether a gift, light read, or valued reference, National Geographic's Bird-watcher's Bible reminds us that we have only to stop, look, and listen to be charmed by the beauty and wonder of birds.