How Birds Live Together offers an overarching view of the different and unexpected ways that birds nest and interact together. Many differing nesting habits are covered, from seabird cliff colonies to burrow nesters, to predator and prey nesting together and even non-social nesters, with discussions on the challenges, benefits, hazards, and social dynamics of each style of living, and features a wealth of species as examples.The author, Marianne Taylor, has clearly done extensive research and showcases colonies from around the world, including Scottish cliff colonies, the Everglades National Park and the Namib Desert. The chapters are full of glossy photographs and maps, with many case studies discussed and species and colony profiles included. As the publisher is American, there is the odd Americanism slipped in, so there is the opportunity for learning new words too, such as 'murre', otherwise known as a Guillemot! The chapters are very readable and it is easy to pick up the narrative where you left off, making it accessible for someone entering into the world of colony birds.Book reviewed by Gill Birtles 

Stories such as War Horse have brought the history of animals in warfare into the public consciousness. Their significant contribution was formally recognised in 1943 through the creation of the PDSA Dickin Medal awarded for gallantry and devotion to duty, and the important role played by birds in World War Two is clear from the fact that pigeons are the most numerous recipients.

The scope of Birds and Us is impressive, beginning 8,000 years ago with Neolithic cave art and ending on a 2018 undergraduate trip to Bempton Cliffs. As BTO Vice-president Prof Tim Birkhead takes us through the millennia in between, he weaves together art, religion and science with rich historical detail, mini-biographies and personal anecdotes. The book is written clearly and directly, and the result is a highly engaging journey which will appeal to anyone interested in the relationship between human society and birds.The book brims with factual information, which at most times is threaded well through the overarching narrative. Learning something new while reading Birds and Us is almost inevitable, given the variety of subjects it covers: ancient Egyptian tomb paintings, the work of Aristotle and Pliny the Elder, the Bayeux Tapestry, Renaissance anatomical dissections, Aztec culture, the early efforts to document birds in Britain and Europe, Darwin, the Church, pre-Raphaelite art, and the rapid development of ornithology and behavioural ecology as ‘proper science’ throughout the 20th century.It should be made clearer, though, that Birds and Us is a Eurocentric labour of love. Although the preface tells us the book will take us across several continents, the few portions of the book focused on areas outside Europe are framed by the contributions of appropriated knowledge, natural resources and cultural artefacts to Western science. The book lacks an explicit description of its limitations in this respect, something which emphasises its inconsistent acknowledgements about the footprint of colonialism on ornithology.The final chapters may be of particular interest to BTO readers, detailing the shift towards birdwatching rather than collecting (helped along, of course, by the advent of binoculars), the formation of BTO in 1932, and the creation of the journal Bird Study to document the results of BTO’s surveys. Several key figures for whom BTO holds archival documents are also mentioned, including Emma Louisa Turner, a pioneering early photographer of birds.Throughout the book, the historical narrative is interspersed with anecdotes from the author’s own journey through birdwatching and ornithology, culminating in his work observing Guillemot behaviour on Skomer for over five decades. This is one of the book’s greatest strengths: by presenting the development of society’s relationship with birds in parallel with his own, Prof Birkhead transforms what could have been a distant, dry history into something much more intimate. His personal reflections encourage us to consider our own unique experience of birds, how this was shaped by culture, and how it may evolve as we move into a future of biodiversity and climate crisis.Book reviewed by Miriam Lord 

The Wryneck is one of our weirdest birds and it is hard to believe it really is a woodpecker. Gerard Gorman is a global authority on woodpeckers and combines the extensive literature with his knowledge of this species in this beautifully written and produced monograph. It is a worthy addition to his six previous books on the Picidae and the latest in the excellent Pelagic Monographs series.Wryneck occur extensively across Northern Europe and Asia. They have been lost as a breeding bird in Britain but occur on passage with around 300 recorded in spring and autumn. My closest encounter was a pair nesting in the wooden wall above the balcony of our hotel room in Briancon in the French Alps, they just ignored our presence.The early chapters describe the bird itself with in depth coverage of its origins, taxonomy, sub-species, plumage, moult, aging, sexing and communication. Unusually Wryneck sing as well as call and do not communicate by drumming. Interesting sonograms (spectrograms) are included. There is also a chapter on its closest relative, the Red-throated Wryneck, a native of Southern AfricaThe mid chapters cover distribution, status, population estimates, migration and habitats. Gerard does not shy away from the gaps in the literature, particularly the mystery of migration and whether some are resident in southern Europe. Wryneck feed exclusively on ants and the presence and abundance of ants determines their seasonal movements.The later chapters discuss conservation and breeding. Who knew they laid such a large clutch? But more surprisingly, unlike other woodpeckers, Wryneck do not excavate their own nesting cavity. They exploit existing holes and burrows and will even use nest boxes. Breeding success, where monitored, seems good, so this does not explain the gradual decline of the species across its range.The final chapters are a fascinating account of relationships, folklore, mythology and symbolism. It is worth buying the book for these chapters alone. These mysterious ‘Snake birds’ with their head- and neck-contorting displays were considered close to the gods 2500 years ago in Babylonia and captivated the ancient Greeks. They still intrigue people across Europe today as harbingers of spring and bringers of good health.The Wryneck is a thoroughly researched, comprehensive, well-written and beautifully illustrated portrait of these enigmatic birds. To quote Gerard himself "time in the field is the only way to get to know them" – he certainly does know them.Book reviewed by Linda Smith, Woodpecker Network 

Yarrell’s is a name that you have probably come across, if only through its association with the British race of White Wagtail – which we know as Pied Wagtail or Motacilla alba yarrellii. He is, however, a somewhat distant figure now, whose significant contributions to the study of birds (and fish) have largely been forgotten. Yarrell’s A History of British Fishes and A History of British Birds, published in the 1830s and 1840s respectively, were the main reference works on these subjects for the remainder of the century. As a partner in a newspaper agency and bookseller, Yarrell was well placed to interact with other eminent naturalists, including Charles Darwin and John Gould, and he became a central figure in the study of ornithology at this time, including throughboth the Linnean and Zoological Societies. He was also the first to recognise that Bewick’s Swan was a distinct species from Whooper Swan, something that helped to make his name.This new book, published in association with the British Ornithologists’ Club, provides significant detail on his life and achievements, and it is through the thoroughly researched text that we can glimpse something of the man himself. The initial six chapters are structured around a chronological framework, although these do jump about a bit in places and there is some repetition of facts. These outline the development of Yarrell’s interests (which were broad and deep) and his ‘career’ as a gentleman naturalist. The final three chapters, together with a series of shorter end sections, explore his interests, publications (there were at least 80 papers published in scientific journals), and the societies with which he was involved. Accounts of his correspondence and where this is held, together with a list of known portraits, deliver additional detail that serves to underline the central role that Yarrell held within the wider sphere of natural history interest. Yarrell was, for example, seemingly influential in directing Charles Darwin in his early studies and pivotal in the latter’s decision to publish the zoology of the Beagle voyage.Being able to glimpse the man behind the name, and to discover his incredibly productive research career, shines a timely light on our ornithological past.Book reviewed by Mike Toms 

An expertly written and beautifully illustrated book, that does as the title suggests - convince children that the bird world is in fact extraordinary.Covering all aspects of birds’ lives, the author takes the reader on a journey of discovery, from teaching children about the ancestry of birds and their behaviours, to offering ways they can help protect them such as setting up feeders and making a bird-friendly garden.  Furthermore, children will delight in the excitement of finding out new and interesting bird facts, and these are accompanied by bright and colourful illustrations which help bring the book to life. The author has also included a page on how to get into birding, which is sure to spark curiosity and encourage participation with birding in the future.Despite this book being targeted at children, do not let this deter you from reading it, as it is brilliant, and everyone (including adults) is sure to learn something new. Both myself and my year 1 class loved it and it is quickly becoming the class’s favourite book.Overall, I feel this book by David Lindo will not only help inspire children’s interest in birds, but also a desire to protect them for the future, and is well worth a read.Book reviewed by Belinda Betts (BTO Youth Rep, Norfolk) 

Galapagos Crusoes: A Year Alone with the Birds is an update to Bryan Nelson’s original 1968 book Galapagos: Islands of Birds, with additional stories from June, his wife. The two of them spent a year on two islands in Galapagos – Tower and Hood (known as Genovesa and Española today) - studying seabirds. As such, the book is a great introduction to the different species found on the Islands with in-depth chapters on the various mammals, reptiles, insects and birds that the Nelsons shared their islands with. These include fantastic descriptions of a range of wildlife from Galapagos Sea Lions to Lava Lizards. There is even more detail about the birds that they did their research on – the boobies (Blue-footed, Red-footed and Nazca) and the Waved Albatross – which is a treat for anyone who has an interest in seabirds, and much of it is still relevant today.The book also provides incredible stories and insight into what it was like to live in the Galapagos Islands in the 1960s, both on the uninhabited islands that the Nelsons chose to do their research and in general. The Islands are 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador and, even with today’s technology, they are a tricky place to live. So imagine what it was like in the 1960s when almost everything had to be imported by boat from the mainland, and healthcare was almost non-existent.June’s additions to Bryan’s initial book really bring to life the day-to-day reality of living on a deserted island, several hours’ boat journey away from even Galapaguenian civilisation. There were obvious challenges to overcome, such as the fact that the majority of the islands lack freshwater, which they planned for meticulously. Nothing could prepare them, however, for experiences including sharing their tent with curious birds and giant centipedes, constantly having to fix equipment that was not made for the harsh Galapagos environment, and working out what to wear when meeting HRH Prince Philip onboard the Royal Yacht Britannia at the end of their trip.This really is a book for everyone, whether you’re interested in wildlife in general, birds in particular, the Galapagos Islands, or the idea of living on an uninhabited island in the middle of nowhere.Book reviewed by Clare Simm 

The Middle East is something of an international stepping stone for both migratory birds and people travelling between Europe, Africa and Asia. For birdwatchers stopping over in this part of the world, a rich and unique avifauna awaits, and this photographic guide provides a perfect introduction. The front cover is adorned with stunning images of a representative selection of the region’s birds: Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse, Desert Wheatear, Steppe Eagle and Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin. These provide a taster of the fabulous photographs to be found throughout the book; personal favourites include the sentry-like pair of Cream-coloured Coursers and the beautifully-framed White-spectacled Bulbul – the latter an often-underrated species that is largely confined to Turkey and the Arabian Peninsula. The exceptional photography is made all the more impressive by the vast majority of the images clearly having been taken in the region.The introductory section identifies the target audience as “those who on their travels in the Middle East would like to spend some time watching the exciting birds [it offers]” as well as voicing the hope that “it will encourage those who live in the region to take an interest in its wonderful birds and their conservation” – a worthy aim indeed. Next is a summary of some of the challenges facing birds and their habitats in the Middle East, then a short but tantalising overview of some of the top birdwatching locations in each country. The species entries follow directly; given that these account for about 90% of the book, it would have been good to see this section clearly announced.The species accounts are brief but all have a handy ‘Where to see’ paragraph, outlining each bird’s habitat, distribution and seasonal occurrence. Understandably for a book of this nature, a limited selection of plumages are shown. Some of the image choices are a bit perplexing: two images of adult male Little Bittern but none of the less distinctive plumages, and two near-identical portraits of Hamerkop, for example. However, these very minor points don’t detract from a set of accounts that provide a useful amount of information for a well-chosen selection of birds that the target audience could expect to encounter in the region. I certainly echo the closing words on the back cover: “Portable yet authoritative, this is the perfect guide for travellers and birdwatchers visiting this spectacular and bird-rich slice of western Asia.”Book reviewed by Nick Moran 

Winner of Best Bird Book of the Year 2023Shrikes occupy a strange place in the minds and hearts of ornithologists; at once being attractive passerines, but with a raptorial streak that led to many of us being brought up to know them as butcherbirds for their habit of impaling food items on thorns and barbed wire.They can be a birder’s dream and nightmare, with complexes of closely intertwined species and subspecies making field identification of individuals tricky. And they are at once widespread globally, but with specific conservation requirements that that make them locally rare, as here in the UK.Twenty-six years ago, author Norbert Lefranc and illustrator Tim Worfolk produced a labour of love with the first edition of Shrikes of the World, which became the definitive work for this multifaceted, complicated group of birds.With a new series of stunningly detailed plates showing the full range of variation within species, and text accounts that incorporate recent advances in genetic work, the wait for the second edition has surely been worth it.The first chapter gives a helpful introduction to the structure of the book as a whole and the individual species accounts. With a family as taxonomically knotty as shrikes, it is inevitable that some of the early chapters should concern their systematics.Here the authors also invite Jérôme Fuchs, noted expert in shrike taxonomy, to contribute an introduction to the true shrikes; defined in the book as the genus Lanius. Yellow-billed Shrike and Magpie Shrike were previously in two genera of their own, but have recently been re-sequenced into Lanius, and the book reflects this up-to-date taxonomy.Also included is the genus Eurocephalus, consisting of two species from Africa that recent research suggests may not even belong within the shrike family. Despite the qualms around their taxonomy, the authors have opted to keep these two species in the book, to reflect the current accepted structure of the shrike family.Following the nitty-gritty of shrike relationships, there are general yet truly detailed accounts of the two shrike genera, filled with rich descriptions of their history, morphology, migration, habitat, and more, and includes a particularly enjoyable section on their food storage behaviour, with suitably gruesome illustrations.The colour plates are simply spectacular, with the illustrations being almost photographic in their detail. The species accounts follow a set structure and include high quality photographs of the birds in the field, with maps clearly showing the known range and where there are some uncertainties.I had the good fortune to be in Nigeria while reviewing this book, where there are two resident species of shrike that were completely unfamiliar to me; Yellow-billed Shrike and Emin’s Shrike. While my handy Helm Field Guide to the Birds of West Africa allowed me to quickly identify the two species, Shrikes of the World gave an invaluable deeper level of understanding, allowing me to interpret the behaviour of a family group of Yellow-billed Shrikes and learn things about them that could only otherwise be gleaned from painstaking fieldwork rather than a simple birding outing.For Emin’s Shrike, while the details of the ecology of the species were interesting enough, I particularly enjoyed learning about the origin of the honorific name. I am not usually a fan of honorific names and support the US-based movement Bird Names for Birds, but the line about Pasha Emin led me down a rabbit hole of learning about the colonial history of Africa, and the remarkable life of the man for whom the shrike was named.For shrikes closer to home, the teasing apart of the various subspecies and forms of Great Grey Shrike did much to help me to understand this complex species group.All species accounts include sections on threats and conservation, and for Red-backed Shrike, a species that declined in the UK to the point that it was no longer a regularly breeding species in the 1990s, the section helped to put that decline in the context of their migration route and several conservation successes in Europe, raising hopes that with appropriate land management, the species may become a much more regular feature of farmed landscapes in England once again.Overall, Shrikes of the World is a tour de force of detailed ornithological writing and illustration, a significant update to the original work, and is well worth a butcher(bird)’s hook!Book reviewed by Anthony Wetherhill