The Age of Loss

Why is it so important to be aware of birds in the first place? Feathered Marvels starts with a reminder of the significance of birds to our lives, pointing out that birds have always played an integral role in the quality of human life. We can also look to them to understand the quality of the environment. The authors explore the thread between birds and the environment, writing that “we live in an age of loss.” The loss is not just of birds but also of habitat, and habitat is one of the main topics discussed in the text. The decline of birds worldwide, Sherony and Minetor say, comes from human activities such as intensive agriculture, hunting, and land development, which have detrimental effects on birds’ habitats. This is what the authors mean when they write, “Over this long history of millions of years, the world was their world. But today, they are guests in our world.”

To understand the current problem of species loss and how birds have become the guests in our world, the authors trace the origins and history of the birds that we know today. Beginning with the late Jurassic period and specifically Archaeopteryx, the earliest bird, Sherony and Minetor present the evolutionary history of birds in a manner appropriate for general readers. Questions that readers may have—Why did some bird families survive the mass extinction event at the end of the Cretaceous period? How do birds migrate great distances or know how to reach a desired destination? How and why do birds sing?—are answered in discussions about the evolution, adaptation, breeding, migration, and classification of birds. Bird facts describing their diverse traits and lifestyles, along with the incredible ways they have adapted to their environment, are included in the hope that readers “will be influenced enough to try to help conserve what is remaining of the avian and natural world.”

Some of the most unusual species of birds described in the book include the Hooded Pitohui, a poisonous bird; the Oilbird, which uses echolocation; and ostriches. Ostriches are a surprising inclusion, but the authors convincingly show that these well-recognized bird are indeed a marvel: “[Ostriches are members] of the ratites, an ancient group of birds whose origins date back before the great extinction of 66 MYBP (Millions of Years Before Present).” These extraordinary birds, as well as the other fascinating examples highlighted in the text, are the ones we risk losing if we don’t act.

Extinction events and species loss are not light topics. Yet Feathered Marvels is not trying to depress its readers but instead to empower them. The book is a valuable resource, one the reader can return to, and not one that can be binged, given its density of fact. The discussion on rare or distinctive species and families of birds will impress even seasoned birders. There’s a risk that the average reader may find all this information overwhelming, however; the research is certainly robust. Although repetitive at times, particularly with the message about human-induced factors affecting birds’ lives, the writing is clear, the pace of the text steady. The voice is authoritative but friendly. Given the subject’s breadth, Feathered Marvels is impressively well-organized and researched, and readers won’t be lost or confused about where the information is taking them next. Throughout the text, Sherony and     Minetor point to previous chapters and citations to refresh the reader’s memory, and definitions for terms are repeated as gentle reminders. Helpful bird photography accompanies the text, some of which is from the authors’ personal collections. Diagrams and figures help solidify concepts, which are useful to those without a science background. Feathered Marvels also leaves room for mystery, such as revealing the gaps in what we don’t know or where researchers may differ. Finally, there is a detailed appendix of scientific names, a glossary, references, and an index, which concludes the book.

“[T]he future of birds and all nature rests in our hands and in the decisions we make,” the authors counsel. Feathered Marvels is about the birds we have lost throughout history, and the modern birds that we can hope to save. It shows us there’s still much more to learn—and to do. Although seasoned birders will find satisfaction in the text, the readers that the book might most valuably reach are those who are being introduced to the wonderful world of birds for the first time—and who want to make a difference. If you are a reader seeking both information and inspiration, Feathered Marvels is for you.