The Thing with Feathers

The Surprising Lives of Birds and What They Reveal About Being Human

By: Noah Strycker

Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

Birds are highly intelligent animals, yet their intelligence is dramatically different from our own and has been little understood. As we learn more about the secrets of bird life, we are unlocking fascinating insights into memory, relationships, game theory, and the nature of intelligence itself.

The Thing with Feathers explores the astonishing homing abilities of pigeons, the good deeds of fairy-wrens, the influential flocking abilities of starlings, the deft artistry of bowerbirds, the extraordinary memories of nutcrackers, the lifelong loves of albatrosses, and other mysteries - revealing why birds do what they do, and offering a glimpse into our own nature.

Drawing deep from personal experience, cutting-edge science, and colorful history, Noah Strycker spins captivating stories about the birds in our midst and shares the startlingly intimate coexistence of birds and humans. With humor, style, and grace, he shows how our view of the world is often, and remarkably, through the experience of birds.

©2014 Noah Strycker (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A thoroughly entertaining examination of bird behavior…. Birds are equally alien and familiar, and in Strycker's absorbing survey, we find out how much fun it is simply to watch them." ( Booklist Starred Review)

Fantastic!

Such a great read! It had the perfect balance of ornithology, human psychology and even a little humor mixed it! A very easy to read book packed with very interesting information and stories!

Amazing bird facts!

I liked how the chapters were set up and I learned so much! I immediately wanted to start it over again.

Heartwarming but also super scientific

Found myself laughing and saying “awww” in the middle of the street with my headphones on. Such insight and love for birds, and beautiful explanations of their behavior and how we can relate as humans. Recommend HIGHLY.

Poor Starlings!

I truly am traumatized by the author’s neighbor’s abuse of starlings by clipping their wings then tossing them out to be eaten by raptors. Most upsetting. These are smart creatures each with a unique personality. They didn’t ask to be here. Leave them alone! The author could have left the details out or omitted that all together.

Needs a good editor

I really wanted to like this book - especially as an Oregonian. But it reads a bit like a thesis and lacks personal narrative. The facts are helpful, but most readers don’t require dozens and dozens of examples. Could use a good editor to reduce it by half.