Most Interesting Books of 2006
The Singing Life of Birds
The Art and Science of Listening to Birdsong
by Donald Kroodsma
published by Houghton Mifflin
“Kroodsma's passion for these creatures and their music is inspiring ... ”
Even if you nothing at all about birds or birding, listening to bird songs is a pure delight. Kroodsma's book -- clear and comprehensive, scientific and personal -- teaches us how to listen, skills that increase our capacity to enjoy and appreciate these airy songs. The author begins by explaining how to "see" a song using a sonogram: a computer-generated picture of the sound. He then shares his experiences listening to all varieties of singers, including wrens, robins, thrushes, woodpeckers, warblers, and chickadees. Some of these birds sing melodies that are astonishingly complex; other birds have repertoires of 2,000 songs. In addition to bird facts and listening techniques, the author shares his philosophic meditations, wondering aloud about how and why these songs have such a powerful effect on human beings. Appendixes describe the sounds on the included CD; explain the best techniques for recording bird sounds; and give a useful taxonomy of songbird species. Kroodsma's passion for these creatures and their music is inspiring, and this big book gives us an invaluable insider's guide about to how to listen with greater awareness and expertise.
— Michael Pastore
