The Kirtland's Warbler: The Story of a Bird's Fight Against Extinction and the People Who Saved It

by William Rapai

At a time when the world is seeing its species rapidly go extinct, the Kirtland's warbler is not just a survivor, it's a rock star. The Kirtland's warbler is the rarest warbler species in North America and will always be rare because of its persnickety nesting preferences. But when the total population fell below 400 birds in the 1970s and 1980s---driven largely by a loss of habitat and the introduction of a parasite---a small group of dedicated biologists, researchers, and volunteers vowed to save the Kirtland's warbler despite long odds. This is the story of the warbler's survival and gradual recovery, the people and policies that kept it from extinction, and the ongoing challenges that may again jeopardize the bird's future.
In The Kirtland's Warbler , William Rapai explores the bird's fascinating natural history as well as the complex and evolving relationships between the warbler, its environment, its human protectors, and state and federal policies that today threaten to eradicate decades of work done on the species' behalf. Beginning with an account of the warbler's discovery in the mid-nineteenth century and ornithologists' desperate hunt for information on the elusive new species, the book goes on to examine the dramatic events that quickly led to the warbler's precarious status and its eventual emergence as a lightning rod for controversy.
The Kirtland's warbler is often described as a "bird of fire" for its preference for nesting in areas cleared by wildfire. But it also warrants the name for the passion it ignites in humans. Both tragic and uplifting, the story of this intriguing bird is a stirring example of how strong leadership, vision, commitment, sustained effort, and cooperation can come together to protect our natural world.

The Kirtland's Warbler  has been named a Michigan Notable Book for 2013 by the Library of Michigan.

Genres: Birds, Nonfiction, Nature

204 pages, Hardcover

First published February 8, 2012

About the author

William Rapai is an amateur naturalist and former newspaper journalist. He is the author of the 2013 Michigan Notable Book The Kirtland’s Warbler: The Story of a Bird’s Fight Against Extinction and the People Who Saved It.

Reviews

[Bob Dolgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely reported stories about saving the warbler dating back decades.

[Maple · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful book! Found Mr Rapai on Twitter and found out he lives local and is into Michigan breweries, which we Michiganders are pretty proud of! The book was informative and with a good, fun tone, and I really enjoyed the fact that, as a local, Mr Rapai ~gets it~

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and very readable book about all the forces that worked together to save the Kirtland's Warbler. It had the potential to be quite dry but the author wove the different issues together very nicely.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable and inspirational read.

[Don Healy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable and very interesting book about more than the 5 oz, 60 Mph international traveling warbler. It really tells the story of how science, love of nature and the power of perseverance can unite people to achieve the impossible told in an accessible and frequently humorous way.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring.