On Watching Birds

by Lawrence Kilham, Joan Waltermire (Illustrator), John K. Terres (Introduction)

The author, a dedicated bird watcher, discusses the joys of making personal discoveries about the life and behavior of birds both common and exotic

Genres: Birds, Nature

187 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1989

Reviews

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sketches and anecdotes from Kilham's lifetime of observing bird and other wildlife behavior. I am impressed by his insistence on low-tech accoutrements: all you need to watch birds is a pair of binoculars, a notebook, and a chair. The chair is the most important, for it's key to observe for extended periods of time.

He is gifted with the ability to distinguish individual birds of many species by sight. Maybe there is something to that waiting and watching.

Kilham is also fond of simple behavioral experimentation, as when he wired fallen logs to fence posts in his backyard to attract Downy Woodpeckers. He is equally fond of anthropomorphizing.

[Rebecca Upjohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling read especially for anyone who has spent time observing wildlife or any animals in their home environment. “What I like about behavior-watching, in the broad and inclusive sense I give to it, is that it not only strengthens my bonds with the beauty of nature, but also my empathy with living things.”

This year especially, moments spent observing the natural world have been grounding for me. On Watching Birds shows that gaining an understanding of bird and animal behaviour takes time and luck and although sometimes answers are not forthcoming that time spent is never wasted as one unanswered question may lead to other discoveries.

Dr Kilham brought the same curiosity to his professional study of viruses as he did his amateur observation of birds. We don’t need to be experts to watch birds. We just need to bring our curiosity, take the time and be a little patient

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have ever read!