Living Bird

Learn what America's most venerable ornithological institution has discovered about birds in its past 100 years of study.* Essays by Jared Diamond, John W. Fitzpatrick, Lyanda Lynn Haupt, and Scott Weidensaul* The Cornell Lab of Ornithology celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2015* 200 images, illustrating more than 100 North American bird species * Connecting people to birds opens their eyes to the natural world!An intimate yet stunning exploration of North American bird species, The Living Bird also celebrates our joyful and complex relationship with birds, through images by an award-winning photographer and essays by some of the world's leading naturalists and bird enthusiasts. In 2015 the Cornell Lab of Ornithology will celebrate its 100th anniversary as one of the world's most prestigious and oldest bird organizations. As a cornerstone of those celebrations, the Lab reveals the essence of its work in this visual and experiential journey through the fascinating and beautiful realm of birds. Connecting people with birds is often a first step in opening their eyes to the natural world around them. From enjoying song sparrows rimming a birdbath at home to spotting a pileated woodpecker in deep forest, the appeal of watching and listening to birds leads people into a greater understanding of their environment. The Living Bird features three engaging and informative essays that delve into the mysteries of birds: "The Secret Lives of Birds" focuses on the ways in which bird behavior and habits amaze us. "Inspiration Aloft" looks at how birds enrich our lives and engage so many backyard citizen scientists, while "Beacons of Our Planet" explains what birds tell us about the world in which we live. Each essay is supported by a portfolio of images with informative captions that provide memorable visual context. A foreword, introduction, and afterword provide further context, three human profiles reveal how engaged the bird community can be, and "In the Field" reports share brief, anecdotal first-person accounts from the photographer. A final section introduces the work of The Cornell Lab of Ornithology--and all that it has accomplished over the last 100 years.