The Nesting Season: Cuckoos, Cuckolds, and the Invention of Monogamy
by Bernd Heinrich
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Description
Why are the eggs of the marsh wren deep brown, the winter wren's nearly white, and the gray catbird's a brilliant blue? And what in the DNA of a penduline tit makes the male weave a domed nest of fibers and the female line it with feathers, while the bird-of-paradise male builds no nest at all, and his bower-bird counterpart constructs an elaborate dwelling? These are typical questions that Bernd Heinrich pursues in the engaging style we've come to expect from him- supplemented here with his show more own stunning photographs and original watercolors. One of the world's great naturalists and nature writers, Heinrich shows us how the sensual beauty of birds can open our eyes to a hidden evolutionary process. Nesting, as Heinrich explores it here, encompasses what fascinates us most about birds- from their delightful songs and spectacular displays to their varied eggs and colorful plumage; from their sex roles and mating rituals to nest parasitism, infanticide, and predation. What moves birds to mate and parent their young in so many different ways is what interests Heinrich- and his insights into the nesting behavior of birds has more than a little to say about our own. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Mixing personal anecdotes and observations with scientific findings, in his usual way, Bernd Heinrich explores the world of avian courtship and reproduction, from mating strategies to nest predation to egg coloration. His own illustrations (line drawings, watercolors, and photographs) complement and enhance the text nicely, and if you can stand a bit of repetition here and there, it's well worth a read.
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Author Information
24+ Works 6,337 Members
Bernd Heinrich is an acclaimed scientist and the author of numerous books, including the best-selling Winter World, Mind of the Raven, and Why We Run. He writes for numerous periodicals, including the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Scientific American, Outside, and Audubon. Among Heinrich's many honors is the 2013 PEN New England Award for show more nonfiction, for Life Everlasting. show less
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 2010
Classifications
- Genres
- Science & Nature, Nonfiction, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 598.156 — Natural sciences & mathematics Animals (Zoology) Birds Specific topics [Reptiles now at 597.9] Habits and behavior [Ichthyosauria now at 567.93] Life cycle
- LCC
- QL698.3 .H435 — Science Zoology Zoology Chordates. Vertebrates Birds
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 68
- Popularity
- 457,668
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.75)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 3
- ASINs
- 1
