The Life of Birds (Updated Edition)

By: David Attenborough

Narrated by: David Attenborough

A fully updated new edition of David Attenborough’s bestselling classic.

BIRDS. 11,000 species, the most widespread of all animals: on icebergs, in the Sahara or under the sea, at home in our gardens or flying for over a year at a time. Earthbound, we can only look and listen, enjoying their lightness, freedom and richness of plumage and song.

David Attenborough has been watching and learning all his life. His classic book, now fully updated with the latest discoveries in ornithology, is a brilliant introduction to bird behaviours around the world: what they do and why they do it. He looks at each step in birds' lives and the problems they have to solve: learning to fly; finding food; communicating; mating and caring for nests, eggs and young; migrating; facing dangers and surviving harsh conditions.

Sir David has no equal in helping others to learn and making it exciting. His curiosity and enjoyment are infectious. He shows the lifelong pleasure that birds around us offer, and how much we miss if unaware of them.

©1998 David Attenborough Productions Ltd (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

‘This superb book vividly conveys the beauty of birds and the extraordinary richness of their behaviour.’ Dr. Neil Chalmers, Director, The Natural History Museum, London

The vast collection of knowledge

David Attenborough is an amazing scientist. We are blessed to have him to teach us about nature and botany.
His brilliant contribution has made a huge difference for animal preservation, education and stewardship of our planet.
I adore his expression,
enthusiasm and lilt. I would hug him if I could!

Loved this book

Great book for learning interesting things about bird species and of how intelligent some birds really are.

Why do you no longer offer previews.

The Life of Birds is another Attenborough masterpiece. But the reason for why review is to ask why we can no longer preview a book before purchasing? What makes a great audible book is to things, a great story and a great narrator. Without a preview I tell judge if I will like the voice. Please go back to offering previews.

Delightful and comprehensive, presented with masterful narration by David Attenborough.

It would be great to understand what is new and different in the updated edition. I didn’t notice new content in the Audible version.

Excellent overview of bird science and conservation.

Love that the author read this in his own voice. I learned a lot and enjoyed listening to his presentation of all this important information.