Eavesdropping on Animals: What We Can Learn From Wildlife Conversations

by George Bumann, Jon Young (foreword)

From a Yellowstone wildlife guide, learn to tap into animal sounds and decode the secret conversations happening all around you.

“An engaging guide to a world of wonders hiding in plain sight.”—Peter Wohlleben, New York Times bestselling author of The Inner Life of Animals and The Hidden Life of Trees

Humans once relied on the calls of wild animals to understand the natural world and their place within it. Now, this remarkable guide reveals what our ancestors knew long ago—that tuning in to the owl in the tree, the deer in the gully, can tell us important information and help us feel connected to our wild community.

Wildlife ecologist George Bumann shares fascinating stories and insights he has gained from leading animal intelligence tours in Yellowstone National Park alongside tips, tricks, and advice for readers living in urban, suburban and rural areas. As Bumann clearly shows, you don’t need an exotic vacation for wildlife encounters; listening to and observing creatures in your own backyard, on nearby trails, and in local parks, fields, and forests can lead to extraordinary experiences and a profound sense of belonging.

Are you ready to eavesdrop on your wild neighbors? Are you ready to learn how to tell a warning call from a mating call, a purr of satisfaction from idle chatter? Then this book is for you!

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Nature, Audiobook, Science Nature, Adult

272 pages, Paperback

Published June 10, 2025

Reviews

[🇵🇸🇵🇸 hasfia 🇵🇸🇵🇸 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is more of a tutorial on how to eavesdrop on the sweet (and unsweet) fauna everywhere you go. I was expecting more a scientific detailing on the language they speak. So sadly, I was disappointed.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been to one of his lectures on vocalization & it was awesome! This book reminded me a lot of An Immense World. The "noticing" exercises have been amazing during my walks. It's winter, but I'm surrounded by life.

[Jude Rizzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much a book about improving mental health and wellbeing as it is about animal observation. I enjoyed it and found it was organized in a way that presented activities for people interested in all levels of tuning in to their natural surroundings.

[Chad Alexander Guarino da Verona · Rating 3 out of 5]

I palaver with my gerbils daily. Perhaps I’ll write a book about that.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating collection of observations, anecdotes and practical advice.
I do wish it had a different name though as its SO much more than just listening.
Highly recommended!!

[Juliet Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

George Bumann has studied animals around the world for over forty years and now leads courses on animals language and intelligence in Yellowstone National Park in the USA. This book is a distillation of what he has learned in his own studies and also from other wildlife researchers.

The book outlines how the author first learned about nature and then shares incidents from his life, where he has had close contact with animals. He explores the different ways that birds and other animals communicate with each other and gives the reader plenty of advice on how to best spend time in nature, without disturbing the wildlife. More than anything, pay attention to the sounds you hear around you in nature and learn the patterns of sounds you hear in your local area. The book cleverly weaves practical exercises in paying attention into the narrative.

This is a fascinating book, which gets you thinking about nature and inspires you to get out and pay more attention. My only complaint (and it's not at all a criticism of the book) is that being in the UK, I'm not going to encounter most of the species mentioned here. But the overall encouragement to get out and listen works just as well in all parts of the world. Plus, I found myself wondering whether ravens in Scotland would use the same call on seeing a Golden Eagle as American eagles do.

So, this is a must-read if you want to know more about animal communication and how to go about making your own inveastigations in your local area.

[Celine Italia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from Greystone Books for review! Thank you, Greystone Books!

In "Eavesdropping on Animals," George Bumann reveals how tuning in to wildlife can connect us to nature. Drawing on over 40 years of experience, including 20 years leading programs in Yellowstone, he shares tips for understanding animal communication, showing readers that transformative encounters with wildlife can happen anywhere, from backyards to local parks.

In this book, Bumann offers profound insights into strengthening our connection with nature by attuning to its subtle languages. Drawing on his biologist's expertise and artist's sensitivity, he reveals strategies for engaging with and appreciating the diverse ways wild species communicate.

Bumann's evidence and guidance encourage us to use all our senses, moving beyond identification to truly grasp the complexity of life. Bumann also shares practical tips, like finding "treasured sit-spots," to foster quiet moments of connection. This captivating book leads readers to more meaningful experiences with the natural world.

I give this book a 4.00/5 stars! Would recommend this book to any readers looking for a deeper connection to nature through observing wildlife and understanding animal communication in everyday environments! Thank you, again, Greystone Books, for a free copy of this book.

[Bipin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. Accessible and easy to read. Made me mindful about the soundscape of my locality. As someone who constantly uses earphones while walking outside in the guise of being productive or to keep myself occupied while running, this book made me realize what I have been missing out on all these years. After reading this book, I started paying attention to all the life around me even during short walks in the middle of winter.
I picked this book up hoping to learn about the communication between wild animals, but am pleasantly surprised how influential and interconnected even an urban soundscape is. Especially loved the chapter about chickadees. This book had some action points for those looking to get to know their neighborhoods better.

[Caleb Olander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a solid read. I thought it would be a lot more of a “how to” but it ended up being more about changing your thinking, moving, and thought process. Having met and had a couple different conversations with George, this is very in line with how he’ll talk about things. Overall I enjoyed the book very much. My interest and awareness are peaked and I’m hoping that eavesdropping on wildlife conversations becomes a frequent part of my life.

[Laura Diamond · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was much simpler than I was expecting, but I loved that. It was more of a balance between mental health, nature, and the harmony that we can find with nature. Some of it felt a bit repetitive but then I wondered if the repetition was more of a gentle reminder from the author to simply stop and listen to the world around us.

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started out as an interesting read, but toward the end wandered into being a self-help write. Preferred the observations and experiences. Topic is of interest and author is of local origins, even worked seasonally at a facility I managed, so kudos on a good work.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reminder to slow down and to be more aware and more appreciative of nature. George Bumann gives wonderful tips for how to connect with nature and how to be more respectful of it. I most enjoyed the sections where he detailed what he learned about various species.

[TL Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one. It is a simple, easy to follow read about animal senses. Lots of examples, lots of exercises you could try yourself. Provides knowledge but doens't read like an encyclopedia.

[Prateek Vasisht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, full of great information. This is the kind of topic that deserves a book as authors share so many things that you can't normally find elsewhere.

[Jace Stansbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional book for the nature observer.

[Ronda Canary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.3. Loved the concept but couldn’t hold my focus.

[Lisa Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed learning about a different way to be in nature - a way that is less alarming and unnatural for animals.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was recommended to me by Sue in one of my bookclubs. It had helped me to listen to the birds and animals around be more carefully. I highly recommend this book.