What the Robin Knows
How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World
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4.5 • 2 Ratings
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
A guide to listening to songbirds—the key to observing nature in a whole new way. Includes audio of bird vocalizations!
A lifelong birder, tracker, and naturalist, Jon Young is guided in his work and teaching by three basic premises: the robin, junco, and other songbirds know everything important about their environment, be it backyard or forest; by tuning in to their vocalizations and behavior, we can acquire much of this wisdom for our own pleasure and benefit; and the birds’ companion calls and warning alarms are just as important as their songs.
Birds are the sentries of—and our key to understanding the world beyond our front door. By learning to remain quiet and avoid disturbing the environment, we can heed the birds and acquire an amazing new level of awareness. We are welcome in their habitat. The birds don’t fly away. The larger animals don’t race off. No longer hapless intruders, we now find, see, and engage the deer, the fox, the red-shouldered hawk—even the elusive, whispering wren.
Deep bird language is an ancient discipline, perfected by Native peoples the world over. Finally, science is catching up. This groundbreaking book unites the indigenous knowledge, the latest research, and the author’s own experience of four decades in the field to lead us toward a deeper connection to the animals and, in the end, ourselves.
“He can sit still in his yard, watching and listening 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
“Here is the ancestral wisdom passed down from Apache elder Stalking Wolf to renowned tracker Tom Brown to Jon Young himself, who in turn passes on to the reader the art of truly listening to the avian soundscape. With all senses more finely tuned, you’ll find yourself more aware of your surroundings, slowing down, and reconnecting with a native intelligence and love of the natural world that lies deep within each of us.” —Donald Kroodsma, author ofThe Singing Life of Birds and Birdsong by the Seasons
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this naturalist guidebook, Young, a naturalist and teacher, has two objectives: first, by studying "deep bird language," we can find out "what's really going on in the world of birds"; second, we can figure out how to "access that world through our awareness of deep bird language so that we can see more wildlife." His third, less direct goal is sharing his "conviction that understanding the birds really does help us to understand ourselves." The premise is simple: find a "sit spot" (a place where you can unobtrusively be part of the world you are observing) and go there frequently daily, if possible. Sit quietly and stay long enough to let the birds readjust to their "baseline" vocalizing. Recognizing the baseline allows you to notice outlying noises and begin to posit theories about them, although, as Young frequently reminds readers, he is working with largely hypothetical concepts. The book comes with a handy collection of audio files to help listeners identify various songs and alarms of common birds. Though primarily geared toward birders and naturalists rather than lay readers, this passionate instruction manual offers enjoyable anecdotes.
