The Hidden Life of Garden Birds: The unseen drama behind everyday survival

by Dominic Couzens

A glimpse into the secret lives of over 50 garden birds, with beautiful illustrations and intriguing facts

Did you know that woodpeckers are capable of learning simple codes? Hooded crows can form connections with humans? A jay's call affects the behaviour of surrounding squirrels?

All these fascinating bird activities and more are revealed in The Hidden Life of Garden Birds. Unusual feeding behaviour is just the tip of the iceberg. From territorial conflict and strange relationships with man, to breeding and nesting oddities, this book exposes all the drama behind garden birds' everyday survival - making it the perfect gift for birdwatchers.

The Hidden Life of Garden Birds will enlighten you to the secret going-ons of the common creatures you can spot from the comfort of your back doorstep.

Genres: Nature, Birds, Nonfiction

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 18, 2024

About the author

Dominic Couzens is an expert bird guide and author. He has published numerous books and articles on natural history, including for BBC Wildlife and Bird Watching, specialising in birds and mammals. His books include Extreme Birds, Atlas of Rare Birds, The Secret Lives of Garden Birds, and Top 100 Birding Sites of the World.

He travels widely for writing and speaking, and his website is www.birdwords.co.uk.

Reviews

[Jessica Howarth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good read. I use the Merlin app on my phone and see the birds that are in my local neighbourhood then refer to this book. It is so interesting to know what their likely interactions are when they are twittering away.

[Emma White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. Interesting to know what birds habits are, and definitely a lot of little facts in the book I didn’t know! Will definitely be using this book as a reference.

[Sarah Foxley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't written in a style I enjoy. However there was some interesting information and the short sections made it easier to dip in and out of

[Lee Petersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating and beautifully written look at the hidden lives of our most familiar garden birds. I thought I knew these everyday visitors well, but this book is packed with surprising facts and unseen dramas that completely changed how I watch them. Informative without being dry, and deeply engaging throughout. I’ll be returning to this as a reference for years to come.

[Mark Turnbull · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately lots of printing errors, such as where the wrong bird is named or pictured, gives you a little less confidence in the facts on offer. Still, the majority of the book is accurate and fascinating with an even balance of plain facts and slightly more colourful descriptions.

[Susan Peak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. Contains only black and white pictures of the birds, the writing quality is uneven, a few odd omissions, eg, no section on ravens despite covering other corvids

[Roger Morgan-Grenville · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful info. Bit dry on audiobook.