Bird Brain

This surprising look at the intelligence and behavior of birds is "a winner . . . the illustrations are excellent—dramatic, informative, and fun" (Frank Gill, author of Ornithology).
One of Forbes's Best Books About Birds and Birding of the Year

Birds have not been known for their high IQs, which is why a person of questionable intelligence is sometimes called a "birdbrain." Yet in the past two decades, the study of avian intelligence has witnessed dramatic advances. From a time when birds were seen as simple instinct machines responding only to stimuli in their external worlds, we now know that some birds have complex internal worlds as well. This book provides an engaging exploration of the avian mind, revealing how science is exploding one of the most widespread myths about our feathered friends—and changing the way we think about intelligence in other animals as well.

Bird Brain looks at the structures and functions of the avian brain, and describes the extraordinary behaviors that different types of avian intelligence give rise to. It offers insights into crows, jays, magpies, and other corvids—the "masterminds" of the avian world—as well as parrots and some less-studied species from around the globe. This lively and accessible book shows how birds have sophisticated brains with abilities previously thought to be uniquely human, such as mental time travel, self-recognition, empathy, problem solving, imagination, and insight. Written by a leading expert and featuring a foreword by Frans de Waal, renowned for his work on animal intelligence, Bird Brain shines critical new light on the mental lives of birds.


"This lovely book combines pictures of bird species, diagrams of experimental situations, and brain anatomy to provide information about bird intelligence. The illustrations are superb!" —Choice

"Complex ideas are made intelligible with the aid of sharp, and often stunning, design—gorgeous close-up photographs and smart infographics." —Library Journal