Songbird Journeys Four Seasons In the Lives of Migratory Birds

by Chu, Miyoko

• ISBN13: 9780802715180
• ISBN10: 0802715184
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-05-01
• Publisher: Walker Books

Summary

Until recently, little was known about the lives of songbirds during their travels from autumn until spring. Now scientists have documented mass migrations over the Gulf of Mexico, identified the voices of migrants in the night sky, and showed how songbirds navigate using stars, polarized light, and magnetic fields. Miyoko Chu explores the intricacies underlying the ebb and flow of migration, the cycle of seasons, and the interconnectedness between distant places.Songbird Journeyspays homage to the wonder and beauty of songbirds while revealing the remarkable lives of migratory birds and the scientific quest to answer age-old questions about where songbirds go, how they get there, and what they do in the far-flung places they inhabit throughout the year. Miyoko Chuis an ornithologist and science writer at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. She lives in Ithaca, New York. Until recently, little was known about the lives of songbirds during their travels from autumn until spring. Now scientists have documented mass migrations over the Gulf of Mexico, identified the voices of migrants in the night sky, and showed how songbirds navigate using stars, polarized light, and magnetic fields. Miyoko Chu explores the intricacies underlying the ebb and flow of migration, the cycle of seasons, and the interconnectedness between distant places.Songbird Journeyspays homage to the wonder and beauty of songbirds while revealing the lives of migratory birds and the scientific quest to answer questions about where songbirds go, how they get there, and what they do in the far-flung places they inhabit throughout the year. "Songbird Journeys pulls together in one readable book much of the latest research on the fascinating lives of the songbirds. Anyone who has been impressed or inspired by these tiny feathered jewels will be more so after reading this book."--David Allen Sibley, author ofThe Sibley Guide to Birds "Simply yet crisply written, Chu's work summarizes much of what has recently been learned about the multiple lives of songbirds. As they move from continent to continent with the seasons, the annual flight of tens of millions of these small, determined pilgrims may be the most gripping spectacle in all of nature, though few humans have seen it . . . Like John McPhee in his travels with geologists, Chu turns to the ornithological detectives to piece together the story, [and] . . . Chu's researchers have truly great tales to tell."--Alan Tennant,The Washington Post "The most enjoyable blend of birding lore and ornithological knowledge I have read in 30 years of bird-watching . . . readers ofSongbird Journeyscan savor more avian pleasure than what's found on an entire shelf of standard birding books."--James F. McCarty,Cleveland Plain Dealer "Everyone interested in birds, and even people who know little about them, will enjoySongbird Journeysbecause it allows you to experience birds. It is sprinkled with sparkling anecdotes that give visceral contact and meaning to the biology of one of the planet's most epic marvels--migration, much of which has been unraveled only in the last half century."--Bernd Heinrich, author ofThe Geese of Beaver Bog "By mixing crisp writing with patient explanation, Miyoko Chu has produced something rare--a book that offers something for both expert ornithologists and backyard bird lovers. ReadSongbird Journeysand learn about the miracle of bird migration."--Mark Obmascik, author ofThe Big Year

Author Biography

Miyoko Chu is an ornithologist and science writer at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. She lives in Ithaca, New York.

Table of Contents

Praise for Songbird Journeys:

“The most enjoyable blend of birding lore and ornithological knowledge I have read in 30 years of bird-watching...readers of  Songbird Journeys can savor more avian pleasure than what's found on an entire shelf of standard birding books.”—James F. McCarty, Cleveland Plain Dealer

“Songbird Journeys pulls together in one readable book much of the latest research on the fascinating lives of the songbirds. Anyone who has been impressed or inspired by these tiny feathered jewels will be more so after reading this book.”­­â€”David Allen Sibley, author of The Sibley Guide to Birds

“Whether or not you're aware of songbirds' exceptional lives of seasonal travel, Chu's book will both enlighten and delight.”—Irene Wanner, Seattle Times

“Everyone interested in birds, and even people who know little about them, will enjoy Songbird Journeys.”—Bernd Heinrich, author of The Geese of Beaver Bog

Supplemental Materials

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