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A Wing and a Prayer: The Race to Save Our Vanishing Birds
A captivating drama from the frontlines of the race to save birds set against the devastating loss of one third of the avian population.
Three years ago, headlines delivered shocking nearly three billion birds in North America have vanished over the past fifty years. No species has been spared, from the most delicate jeweled hummingbirds to scrappy black crows, from a rainbow of warblers to common birds such as owls and sparrows.
In a desperate race against time, scientists, conservationists, birders, wildlife officers, and philanthropists are scrambling to halt the collapse of species with bold, experimental, and sometimes risky rescue missions. High in the mountains of Hawaii, biologists are about to release clouds of laboratory-bred mosquitos in a last-ditch attempt to save Hawaii’s remaining native forest birds. In Central Florida, researchers have found a way to hatch Florida Grasshopper Sparrows in captivity to rebuild a species down to its last two dozen birds. In the Sierra Nevada Mountains, a team is using artificial intelligence to save the California Spotted Owl. In North Carolina, a scientist is experimenting with genomics borrowed from human medicine to bring the long-extinct Passenger Pigeon back to life.
For the past year, veteran journalists Anders and Beverly Gyllenhaal traveled more than 25,000 miles across the Americas, chronicling costly experiments, contentious politics, and new technologies to save our beloved birds from the brink of extinction. Through this compelling drama, A Wing and a Prayer offers hope and an urgent call to Birds are dying at an unprecedented pace. But there are encouraging breakthroughs across the hemisphere and still time to change course, if we act quickly.
Three years ago, headlines delivered shocking nearly three billion birds in North America have vanished over the past fifty years. No species has been spared, from the most delicate jeweled hummingbirds to scrappy black crows, from a rainbow of warblers to common birds such as owls and sparrows.
In a desperate race against time, scientists, conservationists, birders, wildlife officers, and philanthropists are scrambling to halt the collapse of species with bold, experimental, and sometimes risky rescue missions. High in the mountains of Hawaii, biologists are about to release clouds of laboratory-bred mosquitos in a last-ditch attempt to save Hawaii’s remaining native forest birds. In Central Florida, researchers have found a way to hatch Florida Grasshopper Sparrows in captivity to rebuild a species down to its last two dozen birds. In the Sierra Nevada Mountains, a team is using artificial intelligence to save the California Spotted Owl. In North Carolina, a scientist is experimenting with genomics borrowed from human medicine to bring the long-extinct Passenger Pigeon back to life.
For the past year, veteran journalists Anders and Beverly Gyllenhaal traveled more than 25,000 miles across the Americas, chronicling costly experiments, contentious politics, and new technologies to save our beloved birds from the brink of extinction. Through this compelling drama, A Wing and a Prayer offers hope and an urgent call to Birds are dying at an unprecedented pace. But there are encouraging breakthroughs across the hemisphere and still time to change course, if we act quickly.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published April 18, 2023
53 people are currently reading
1154 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
May 14, 2023
Many bird species are experiencing a decline in numbers, largely because of human actions. But there are people out there who are stepping in, trying to help. The authors of the book shine a spotlight on them and their stories. This is a little like Under a White Sky: The Nature of the Future, bird edition.
Click here to hear more of my thoughts on this book over on my Booktube channel, abookolive!
Click here to hear more of my thoughts on this book over on my Booktube channel, abookolive!
June 23, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I found this book extremely interesting and very well organized. The topic of birds and bird conservation is really a niche genre within the non-fiction realm, but I, who have never considered myself a bird lover or bird watcher, was intrigued at the plight of these birds and the sadness I felt when one was taken off the endangered species list because it was officially “extinct.”
I think it is so easy for humans to be dismissive of the dwindling bird population. Even hearing a phrase like “3 billion birds” are gone doesn’t seem like that many (I mean, how many birds in the world are there??)…. But 3 billion of any other species like cats (as an example) would wipe out every domesticated cat (~4million) and then some!
It was also a nice mix of history of birds which have gone extinct and what predecessors did to try and save them vs. current challenges (such as wind turbines) and efforts.
While many times non-fiction books focus on the “what’s wrong” but I found this book had a nice balance of negative truths with positive hopes. There were many examples of how we, as private citizens or government agencies, have seen the writing on the wall and made changes to directly impact birds. I learned a lot about these safety programs and the organizations that are in place to try and save these birds. There was mention of Air Force bases that completely changed their drill schedules to accommodate birds in their migratory patterns; Ducks Unlimited and how they have so many members and so much money to help conserve water fowl habitats; and the Audubon Society.
While, the change needs to be large scale, there are also small “do-able” changes listed in the book that the everyday person could do to help. As an example- “2.6 billion birds are killed by cats every year.” Let me say that again— OVER 2 BILLION BIRDS ARE KILLED BY CATS A YEAR! Keep your cats inside. There are other practical solutions like screens on windows and doors so birds don’t fly into them, etc.
Overall, I thought this was intriguing and while I don’t think I’ll be a bird watcher anymore than I am now; I have a much greater appreciation for how birds fit into life and plant cycles and help keep our planet healthy. I would recommend to anyone interested in birds, and conservation.
I found this book extremely interesting and very well organized. The topic of birds and bird conservation is really a niche genre within the non-fiction realm, but I, who have never considered myself a bird lover or bird watcher, was intrigued at the plight of these birds and the sadness I felt when one was taken off the endangered species list because it was officially “extinct.”
I think it is so easy for humans to be dismissive of the dwindling bird population. Even hearing a phrase like “3 billion birds” are gone doesn’t seem like that many (I mean, how many birds in the world are there??)…. But 3 billion of any other species like cats (as an example) would wipe out every domesticated cat (~4million) and then some!
It was also a nice mix of history of birds which have gone extinct and what predecessors did to try and save them vs. current challenges (such as wind turbines) and efforts.
While many times non-fiction books focus on the “what’s wrong” but I found this book had a nice balance of negative truths with positive hopes. There were many examples of how we, as private citizens or government agencies, have seen the writing on the wall and made changes to directly impact birds. I learned a lot about these safety programs and the organizations that are in place to try and save these birds. There was mention of Air Force bases that completely changed their drill schedules to accommodate birds in their migratory patterns; Ducks Unlimited and how they have so many members and so much money to help conserve water fowl habitats; and the Audubon Society.
While, the change needs to be large scale, there are also small “do-able” changes listed in the book that the everyday person could do to help. As an example- “2.6 billion birds are killed by cats every year.” Let me say that again— OVER 2 BILLION BIRDS ARE KILLED BY CATS A YEAR! Keep your cats inside. There are other practical solutions like screens on windows and doors so birds don’t fly into them, etc.
Overall, I thought this was intriguing and while I don’t think I’ll be a bird watcher anymore than I am now; I have a much greater appreciation for how birds fit into life and plant cycles and help keep our planet healthy. I would recommend to anyone interested in birds, and conservation.
March 17, 2024
Fascinating! I learned a lot about birds, of course, but also how they are an indicator of climate change.
April 17, 2023
I live in a suburb on a Great Lake and my sister lives on a farm in south central Wisconsin, so we both were of the opinion that the most major cause of the drastic reduction in songbirds that we observed was due to deadly chemical pollution by farmers and those who want weed-free lawns. We're not birders, so we have no documentation, but we are each observant septuagenarians who love birdsong. But what these dedicated and committed people from various NGOs as well as government Fish and Wildlife service are doing to identify causes and in some cases bring nearly extinct species back to life is beyond impressive. Habitat often cannot be restored, but it's destruction can be halted, and sometimes the species might be relocated to a comparable habitat in some small way that helps to improve their numbers. This book details their efforts in a very personal way and should serve as a call to action for each and every one of us. Very impressive!
I requested and received an EARC from Simon & Schuster Publishers via NetGalley. Thank you!
#BringBirdsBack
I requested and received an EARC from Simon & Schuster Publishers via NetGalley. Thank you!
#BringBirdsBack
July 26, 2023
Light modern journalism as a husband and wife team of reporters travel the US in an Airstream trailer reporting on the ways scientists are saving endangered bird species.
It was fascinating, but, sadly, I found the book TOO optimistic.
It was fascinating, but, sadly, I found the book TOO optimistic.
April 2, 2024
Some parts were interesting, other parts seemed to run on and on.
Read
March 10, 2024DNF. Didn't sing to me.
April 15, 2025
Part travel adventure and part conservation stories. it's a review if you're already familiar with recent conservation issues...
April 11, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I'm passionate about conservation (and the environment, in general), but have never had a particular interest in birds. (I don't dislike them, but if I tried to identify a bird, I'd probably be wrong nine times out of ten.) That said, this was a compelling read.
I definitely prefer some of the conservation efforts to others, but they were all interesting to read about, and the stories of the people involved and the challenges they faced were much more fascinating than I would have expected.
(Side note: I really need for someone - Ann Patchett? - to write a novel about the secret mission to find the ivory-billed woodpecker, ideally with multiple POV characters including at least one expert researcher, a member of their immediate family, and an amateur volunteer.)
I'll note that I find it a bit sad that humans have created a situation in which high-tech solutions and satellites and banding and further human intervention are possibly the only way to "save" nature, but I'm glad there are thoughtful people trying to make a difference. (I also think it's worth noting that flying planes to track birds - or traveling to check off a rare bird on a life list - contributes to climate change, which is part of how birds got to where they are right now. While these concerns aren't raised in this book, hopefully they're being discussed.)
Overall, I thought this was a great overview of what's happening in the world of bird conservation. It's a well-written, compelling read for anyone interested in birds, nature, or environmental issues. Immediately after reading this book, I signed up for action alerts from a number of the organizations highlighted in the book, sent a handful of emails to Congress, and am looking into ways to support native plants locally. I’ve also been taking more notice of birds! Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing an e-galley and the opportunity to review.
I definitely prefer some of the conservation efforts to others, but they were all interesting to read about, and the stories of the people involved and the challenges they faced were much more fascinating than I would have expected.
(Side note: I really need for someone - Ann Patchett? - to write a novel about the secret mission to find the ivory-billed woodpecker, ideally with multiple POV characters including at least one expert researcher, a member of their immediate family, and an amateur volunteer.)
I'll note that I find it a bit sad that humans have created a situation in which high-tech solutions and satellites and banding and further human intervention are possibly the only way to "save" nature, but I'm glad there are thoughtful people trying to make a difference. (I also think it's worth noting that flying planes to track birds - or traveling to check off a rare bird on a life list - contributes to climate change, which is part of how birds got to where they are right now. While these concerns aren't raised in this book, hopefully they're being discussed.)
Overall, I thought this was a great overview of what's happening in the world of bird conservation. It's a well-written, compelling read for anyone interested in birds, nature, or environmental issues. Immediately after reading this book, I signed up for action alerts from a number of the organizations highlighted in the book, sent a handful of emails to Congress, and am looking into ways to support native plants locally. I’ve also been taking more notice of birds! Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing an e-galley and the opportunity to review.
Read
June 24, 2024I listened to this book on audio while I drove to Bloomington, and I was very stressed about driving and my shoulder was really bothering me, so I was not paying as much attention to this book as I would have liked to. I still really enjoyed it and I wish I would have been more attentive as I listened, because there is so much great information in this book.
(I do think that this would be better in print, since the narrators of the audio book frequently mention images in the print copy)
This book was incredibly thorough in its assessment of bird populations today. I learned the history and science behind every bird group I know of (eBird, Audubon, ABC, ABA, etc.), and also got a good look at some that I have never encountered. I thought the case studies that the authors chose to highlight were incredibly well chosen and diverse. A really strong aspect of this book was how the authors showed a very wide array of obstacles that birds are facing. The authors were equally comfortable writing about internal/foreign policy issues, activist infighting, scientific limitations, community science, and bird biology. I think their comfort writing about all sorts of obstacles is what made the book so thorough. They also did a great job of portraying how solutions come from all of these factions of the bird world, which made the book enjoyable to read, even though it is such a bleak topic.
This was a great book to read after Birding to Change the World by Trish O'Kane. Both are very scary, but ultimately very uplifting and make me proud to be a birder.
(I do think that this would be better in print, since the narrators of the audio book frequently mention images in the print copy)
This book was incredibly thorough in its assessment of bird populations today. I learned the history and science behind every bird group I know of (eBird, Audubon, ABC, ABA, etc.), and also got a good look at some that I have never encountered. I thought the case studies that the authors chose to highlight were incredibly well chosen and diverse. A really strong aspect of this book was how the authors showed a very wide array of obstacles that birds are facing. The authors were equally comfortable writing about internal/foreign policy issues, activist infighting, scientific limitations, community science, and bird biology. I think their comfort writing about all sorts of obstacles is what made the book so thorough. They also did a great job of portraying how solutions come from all of these factions of the bird world, which made the book enjoyable to read, even though it is such a bleak topic.
This was a great book to read after Birding to Change the World by Trish O'Kane. Both are very scary, but ultimately very uplifting and make me proud to be a birder.
May 7, 2025
Wow! Very good. I think the first half drags a bit, maybe even struggles to get going, but the second half of this book is filled with tons of amazing stories regarding birds and conservation. There are so many people in the world right now doing amazing work for birds and helping species that need it the most, but the truth is, more work is needed! Actionable change is need everywhere from the individual level all the way up to the federal level.
December 23, 2024
4 1/2 stars rounded up. When two retired bird lovers crisscross the US in their Airstream to investigate the loss of American birds (over 3 billion in just a few short decades) and suggest what can be done slow the rate of extinction. If you are a bird lover or a climate advocate, this is a must-read! Absolutely fascinating! Full of interesting observations and helpful suggestions. Good audio narration.
March 13, 2025
This book was a great insight into North American bird conservation
August 10, 2023
Good grief this is a beautiful book.
May 22, 2024
Pretty mid. Not that original or informative. Definitely some inaccurate information. A whole chapter focusing on IBWO re-discovery!?
December 10, 2023
If you like seeing and hearing birds and can't imagine a world without them, this book is for you. Technology now enables bird populations to be counted more accurately than ever; and according to Science, a leading scientific journal, researchers at seven institutions have documented the loss an astounding 2.9 billion breeding adult birds in North America since 1970. Veteran journalists Anders and Beverly Gyllenhaal invite you along on a fascinating research trip they undertook in response to these findings. Homing in on the plights of a number of individual threatened or endangered species, they visit and report on successful projects from Florida to Hawai'i designed to save and protect them. These signs of hope are encouraging. But the book is also an urgent call to action. While polls show that a majority of Americans care about the environment and birding is a popular hobby, many are unaware of the fragility of bird populations due to human activity (loss of habitat, pollution, insecticides, etc). Each chapter is extensively supported by source notes. The ultimate take-away is that if birds are to be saved, the private sector must be more actively involved. We cannot depend on government alone, where limited funding and political rivalry result in stagnation. Beautiful photos and practical suggestions, some I would not have thought of, add to the appeal. If you already care, this book will undoubtedly make you care more and hopefully move you to action.
April 26, 2023
This is a timely and important read for all of us - I knew the bird population was in trouble but did not know the magnitude of the problem The authors are a journalist couple who toured multiple states in North America as well as Central America (Ecuador most notably because of the large number of bird species) In the past 50 years, nearly one-third of the bird population in North America (which equals an astonishing 3 billion birds) has disappeared due to loss of habitat, invasive predators, urban sprawl and climate change. The authors take an Airstream on the road as they travel to visit different habitats and organizations that are focused on conservation and making experiments to address the root causes of the endangerment of bird species. Organizations are finally recognizing the need to collaborate on solutions and this includes corporations, government, not-for-profit organizations as well as individual birders and communities. Many of the solutions give me some hope -- such as "renting" farmers' land during the migration in the central valley of California or working with ranchers and the military to help protect the habitats of endangered species. The rise of technology has enabled individuals to help track and count birds (citizen research) such as E-Bird and BirdCast Each chapter begins with a beautiful photo of a bird including ones that are most endangered right now including ones that in the past that were considered "common." (and this is when I finally recognized how big the problem is). The book ends with practical solutions individuals can adopt - and it gave me a lot of ideas of how I can help. The book left me feeling hopeful -- it is easier to face the problem when we know the magnitude of it and can take steps to create change. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for an ARC and I left this honest review voluntarily.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for an ARC and I left this honest review voluntarily.
June 17, 2023
I have no idea how this book got put on my library hold list. If I’m totally honest, I really don’t like birds. Lol 🤦🏻♀️ I find them a little bit creepy. But, I learned from this book that birds have been seriously impacted by changes in the environment and their populations have been drastically altered. If I remember correctly I think they said they’re down 1/3 the birds then they had 15 years prior??? That seems pretty crazy as I read the book they’ve gone to crazy lengths to combat this trend. The amount of money, time, talent, and passion that has been focused on improving the lives of birds is incredible. I mean seriously!!! we’re talking millions and millions and millions of dollars and hours and efforts. It’s mind-boggling!! I sure hope that amount of effort and money is going into things that I care about! Lol, like world, hunger, and the mental health crisis! 🤯😳😔
January 3, 2024
This book was highlighted by my local bookstore and since I love birds and the authors are in my locale, I had to read it.
As avid birdwatchers, the authors are passionate about what is happening to birds worldwide, and it doesn’t hurt they have incredible journalism credentials which helps them write this story. A study called the Three Billion Bird report was published in 2019 in the journal Science. 3 billion is the number of birds that are estimated to have disappeared in the United States since the 1970s. Between climate change, habit loss, and environmental pollution, there is no doubt that this group of animals is in trouble. To understand the depth of the trouble, how it is measured and how it is managed, the authors visit experts in the avian conservation field who are working to make a difference.
This could have been a book about the impending doom of our planet; and maybe it is. However, what I appreciate about the organization and what the authors chose to write about is that there is hope. There is technology that is being used to quantify (you can’t manage without measuring !) the losses and recovery of birds and their environments. And there are people studying and applying means to rescue populations on the brink. But the key is to address bird populations now, before each and every one becomes a species that will have to be managed at a very high financial cost. There are actions that individuals can take as well. So yes, this is a scary book. And it is not at all clear that any of the technologies, knowledge or actions that we take now will make a difference. But to quote my favorite environmental book: “Unless someone cares a whole lot….”.
This is recommended reading for anyone who cares about the ramifications and possible solutions to climate change, environmental loss and degradation.
As avid birdwatchers, the authors are passionate about what is happening to birds worldwide, and it doesn’t hurt they have incredible journalism credentials which helps them write this story. A study called the Three Billion Bird report was published in 2019 in the journal Science. 3 billion is the number of birds that are estimated to have disappeared in the United States since the 1970s. Between climate change, habit loss, and environmental pollution, there is no doubt that this group of animals is in trouble. To understand the depth of the trouble, how it is measured and how it is managed, the authors visit experts in the avian conservation field who are working to make a difference.
This could have been a book about the impending doom of our planet; and maybe it is. However, what I appreciate about the organization and what the authors chose to write about is that there is hope. There is technology that is being used to quantify (you can’t manage without measuring !) the losses and recovery of birds and their environments. And there are people studying and applying means to rescue populations on the brink. But the key is to address bird populations now, before each and every one becomes a species that will have to be managed at a very high financial cost. There are actions that individuals can take as well. So yes, this is a scary book. And it is not at all clear that any of the technologies, knowledge or actions that we take now will make a difference. But to quote my favorite environmental book: “Unless someone cares a whole lot….”.
This is recommended reading for anyone who cares about the ramifications and possible solutions to climate change, environmental loss and degradation.
June 3, 2025
I was drawn to this book because I love birds and have been a birder ever since I took an introduction to ornithology class in college in the late '80s. I admire the authors for their dedication to watching and protecting birds, but unfortunately, the book didn't keep my interest. It is extremely well researched, with tons of information and about 50 pages of notes at the end, plus a healthy bibliography, and it is written in a clear and approachable style. I read the beginning and skimmed the middle, then hopped back in to read the last chapter, which summarizes the book, and the afterword, which provides an array of practical tips for bird lovers. The last paragraph of the final chapter offers cautious optimism that bird and wildlife preservationists can effect positive change "if we'll listen to what the birds are telling us" (227).
Sadly, this book was published in 2023, when the U.S. was a much more friendly and optimistic place. Now in 2025, the new Republican regime is doing all it can to gut the environmental protections that have helped preserve birds and other wildlife for generations. The Trump administration has weakened the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, suspended air quality monitoring in national parks, allowed more toxic pollution, fired a thousand park rangers, reopened mines, removed protections for the lesser prairie chicken, and weakened the Endangered Species Act, and the administration also plans to reopen Alaska to oil drilling and National Forest lands to logging. These are just a few of the hundreds of attacks by the Trump administration on our public lands and wildlife, making it less likely that threatened bird species will ever recover.
Sadly, this book was published in 2023, when the U.S. was a much more friendly and optimistic place. Now in 2025, the new Republican regime is doing all it can to gut the environmental protections that have helped preserve birds and other wildlife for generations. The Trump administration has weakened the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, suspended air quality monitoring in national parks, allowed more toxic pollution, fired a thousand park rangers, reopened mines, removed protections for the lesser prairie chicken, and weakened the Endangered Species Act, and the administration also plans to reopen Alaska to oil drilling and National Forest lands to logging. These are just a few of the hundreds of attacks by the Trump administration on our public lands and wildlife, making it less likely that threatened bird species will ever recover.
February 19, 2024
"A Wing and a Prayer: The Race to Save Our Vanishing Birds" by Anders and Beverly Gyllenhaal is a captivating and eye-opening account of the efforts to combat the alarming decline of the North American bird population. The authors, who are veteran journalists and avid birders, traveled across the continent and beyond to document the stories of scientists, conservationists, and bird enthusiasts who are working on bold, experimental, and sometimes controversial projects to save our feathered friends from the brink of extinction.
The book covers a wide range of topics, from the shocking revelation that nearly three billion birds have vanished over the past fifty years, to the innovative technologies and techniques that are being used to restore and protect the avian diversity and abundance. The authors take the readers on a journey to witness the challenges and successes of various rescue missions, such as releasing lab-bred mosquitoes to save Hawaii's native forest birds, hatching Florida grasshopper sparrows in captivity, using artificial intelligence to monitor the California spotted owl, and even reviving the long-extinct passenger pigeon with genomics.
The book is not only informative and engaging, but also inspiring and hopeful. The authors show that despite the daunting threats and obstacles, there are still many dedicated and passionate people who are fighting for the survival of the birds and the health of the planet. The book also offers practical advice and resources for the readers who want to join the cause and make a difference. A Wing and a Prayer is a must-read for anyone who cares about birds, nature, and the future of our world.
The book covers a wide range of topics, from the shocking revelation that nearly three billion birds have vanished over the past fifty years, to the innovative technologies and techniques that are being used to restore and protect the avian diversity and abundance. The authors take the readers on a journey to witness the challenges and successes of various rescue missions, such as releasing lab-bred mosquitoes to save Hawaii's native forest birds, hatching Florida grasshopper sparrows in captivity, using artificial intelligence to monitor the California spotted owl, and even reviving the long-extinct passenger pigeon with genomics.
The book is not only informative and engaging, but also inspiring and hopeful. The authors show that despite the daunting threats and obstacles, there are still many dedicated and passionate people who are fighting for the survival of the birds and the health of the planet. The book also offers practical advice and resources for the readers who want to join the cause and make a difference. A Wing and a Prayer is a must-read for anyone who cares about birds, nature, and the future of our world.
April 12, 2023
A Wing and a Prayer: The Race to Save Our Vanishing Birds by Anders and Beverly Gyllenhaal is a fascinating look at both the big picture and the very specific aspects of just how great the loss of bird population is.
I think what makes this particularly effective is the very personal nature of the book while also being about the larger problem(s). So often, when numbers are staggeringly large, it is easy to be moved but also paralyzed by the very enormity of the number. While the Gyllenhaal's give us those numbers, they are delivered with their personal journey to observe people taking very real action to try to reverse this trend. Coupled with additional cases where situations have been at least stalled and possibly reversed, we learn both the enormity as well as how we can do something.
The last chapter about things we can do offer the reader very workable ideas, which may well generate additional ideas in the reader, so this is valuable beyond simply being some casual "we can do it" pep talk.
I would recommend this to anyone concerned with what is happening to the environment in which we live, well, at least until we either finish destroying it or reverse course. Those coming primarily for the science read may well be motivated to find ways to help, even if that mostly consists of spreading the word.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via Edelweiss.
I think what makes this particularly effective is the very personal nature of the book while also being about the larger problem(s). So often, when numbers are staggeringly large, it is easy to be moved but also paralyzed by the very enormity of the number. While the Gyllenhaal's give us those numbers, they are delivered with their personal journey to observe people taking very real action to try to reverse this trend. Coupled with additional cases where situations have been at least stalled and possibly reversed, we learn both the enormity as well as how we can do something.
The last chapter about things we can do offer the reader very workable ideas, which may well generate additional ideas in the reader, so this is valuable beyond simply being some casual "we can do it" pep talk.
I would recommend this to anyone concerned with what is happening to the environment in which we live, well, at least until we either finish destroying it or reverse course. Those coming primarily for the science read may well be motivated to find ways to help, even if that mostly consists of spreading the word.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via Edelweiss.
February 4, 2024
Depending on how low the bar is set, I could consider myself a birder. At least I enjoy observing and identifying birds and I have traveled on occasion to do so. Birding can engender awe and a greater appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the natural world. That’s well and good, but the Gyllenhaals would have their readers to understand that birding should also be about advocating for the welfare of birds.
Most of the book deals with the perils that birds have faced from hunting and habitat destruction, described in the context of efforts that have been made and are being made to protect and restore bird populations. Birds contribute so much to the health of the planet. I say this as someone who occasionally has to dodge the “contributions” of the local Canada goose population to the paths in local parks. Revulsion at droppings underfoot doesn’t diminish the fact that birds help with pollinating, propagating, and, yes, fertilizing many native plant species. They eat insect pest and help control rodent populations.
There are lots of books in print that celebrate birds. We need more books like A Wing and a Prayer that tell us what we can do to ensure they”re around for future generations to celebrate.
Most of the book deals with the perils that birds have faced from hunting and habitat destruction, described in the context of efforts that have been made and are being made to protect and restore bird populations. Birds contribute so much to the health of the planet. I say this as someone who occasionally has to dodge the “contributions” of the local Canada goose population to the paths in local parks. Revulsion at droppings underfoot doesn’t diminish the fact that birds help with pollinating, propagating, and, yes, fertilizing many native plant species. They eat insect pest and help control rodent populations.
There are lots of books in print that celebrate birds. We need more books like A Wing and a Prayer that tell us what we can do to ensure they”re around for future generations to celebrate.
November 22, 2023
Birds have been documented by humans for hundreds of years. Birding is a popular activity, so we know that numbers of birds have plummeted in the past few decades. Many species are in trouble or declining, all over the world. What is being done to protect and preserve these species?
The authors traveled and documented many projects that are trying to help save the birds. This is the story of that and what they learned along the way. They tell the reader about efforts to use DNA to bring back extinct species. How some places are using mosquitoes to try to save birds! There is so much more. The stories can be depressing, since it is the activities of humans that placed these species in peril. But, there is also hope, because we can try to use science and creativity to help bring the birds back.
As a reader, I found sadness in the plight of the birds. I have seen declines in my own region, where we have lost some once-common birds. But, I love the ingenuity that was demonstrated in the projects in this book and it give me hope that maybe there's a chance to still save the birds.
The authors traveled and documented many projects that are trying to help save the birds. This is the story of that and what they learned along the way. They tell the reader about efforts to use DNA to bring back extinct species. How some places are using mosquitoes to try to save birds! There is so much more. The stories can be depressing, since it is the activities of humans that placed these species in peril. But, there is also hope, because we can try to use science and creativity to help bring the birds back.
As a reader, I found sadness in the plight of the birds. I have seen declines in my own region, where we have lost some once-common birds. But, I love the ingenuity that was demonstrated in the projects in this book and it give me hope that maybe there's a chance to still save the birds.
May 11, 2024
I am not going to lie--a lot in this book is depressing and tough to get through. Not because of the authors, but the statistics, some of the stories, and the seemingly impossible future of North America's birds. But the authors have also included success stories, profiles of people and groups that are fighting the good fight to save birds, and ideas on how we non-ornithologists can help protect, save, and fight for birds.
I enjoyed the range of stories, which includes the US military, ABC, the Cornell Lab, R2R, and Ducks Unlimited, as well as a lot of individuals all over the US.
The writing is engaging. The ending has a list of ways we regular folks can help birds--from keeping our cats inside and our dogs leashed on beaches to supporting bird organizations.
The bad news just doesn't affect birds, however. They are necessary for all kinds of thing, from eating "bad" insects to pollinating the foods we humans love. And all birds are the canary in the calming--their decreasing numbers signal the environmental harm we are doing.
So read this book and pass it along to anyone you know who thinks that environmentalism is unnecessary.
I enjoyed the range of stories, which includes the US military, ABC, the Cornell Lab, R2R, and Ducks Unlimited, as well as a lot of individuals all over the US.
The writing is engaging. The ending has a list of ways we regular folks can help birds--from keeping our cats inside and our dogs leashed on beaches to supporting bird organizations.
The bad news just doesn't affect birds, however. They are necessary for all kinds of thing, from eating "bad" insects to pollinating the foods we humans love. And all birds are the canary in the calming--their decreasing numbers signal the environmental harm we are doing.
So read this book and pass it along to anyone you know who thinks that environmentalism is unnecessary.
March 6, 2024
This was among the best nature books I've read in a long time. With nearly a third of the bird population gone since the 1970s, this book chronicles the decline of species and the efforts to stabilize and save the remaining bird populations. It looks at both cultural and financial barriers to conservation efforts and carefully outlines the costs of not acting in time to prevent their extinctions. A Wing and a Prayer is carefully researched, and toward the end, it also includes a list of resources and ways that a lone individual can help save the birds.
This book could be read in different ways. It could be a quick read. For me, it took some time because I kept pausing to scribble notes and to cross-reference its content with internet sources, searching for new information. If I were to compare this book to another, it would be Rachel Carson's Silent Spring . Both books explore looming environmental catastrophes and address a non-technical audience with much-needed information. Indeed, it may fill the same niche over fifty years later.
This book could be read in different ways. It could be a quick read. For me, it took some time because I kept pausing to scribble notes and to cross-reference its content with internet sources, searching for new information. If I were to compare this book to another, it would be Rachel Carson's Silent Spring . Both books explore looming environmental catastrophes and address a non-technical audience with much-needed information. Indeed, it may fill the same niche over fifty years later.
April 28, 2024
Responding to issues of vanishing birds, the authors wanted to write about the good, bad, and ugly ways that the world (but more specifically) the United States is addressing vanishing birds, particularly in areas like Hawaii where they've ignored and underfunded any chance of helping.
I was interested in a few of the chapters such as how the military had gotten involved (and used their money) related to a woodpecker at one of the largest training facilities for the military and the care and time and effort and now new technology that goes into tracking birds to be able to figure out where they are and whether they're on a decline, an upswing, or completely decimated.
My only issue was that it was more random in organization than leading me to a specific purpose with each of the stories, however ultimately it's about the conservancy and awareness... plus it's all about a wing and a prayer, which was a neat addition to share where that saying came from describing a pilot coming in for a landing having been torn up.
I was interested in a few of the chapters such as how the military had gotten involved (and used their money) related to a woodpecker at one of the largest training facilities for the military and the care and time and effort and now new technology that goes into tracking birds to be able to figure out where they are and whether they're on a decline, an upswing, or completely decimated.
My only issue was that it was more random in organization than leading me to a specific purpose with each of the stories, however ultimately it's about the conservancy and awareness... plus it's all about a wing and a prayer, which was a neat addition to share where that saying came from describing a pilot coming in for a landing having been torn up.
August 5, 2025
This book was inspired by the discovery that North America has lost approximately 3 billion birds (about 1/3 of the total population) within the last 50 years. The authors outline the nuanced causes of these declines, feature the continent's most notable avian conservation projects, and share stories from experts in bird policy & research. This is a great catch-all book for anyone who wants to be well-informed on the state of birds in the U.S. & Canada and the types of collective action that can make positive changes.
That being said, there were a few notable mistakes in the writing/terminology that made the ornithologist in me wince (the Florida scrub jay is the state's only ENDEMIC bird species, not the only NATIVE bird species- huge difference). I also can't decide if I liked the overall organization of the book's topics. I especially didn't jive with the lengthy sections on de-exctinction experiments to resurrect lost birds or dedicating huge efforts to search for species we have overwhelming evidence are extinct.
That being said, there were a few notable mistakes in the writing/terminology that made the ornithologist in me wince (the Florida scrub jay is the state's only ENDEMIC bird species, not the only NATIVE bird species- huge difference). I also can't decide if I liked the overall organization of the book's topics. I especially didn't jive with the lengthy sections on de-exctinction experiments to resurrect lost birds or dedicating huge efforts to search for species we have overwhelming evidence are extinct.
July 1, 2023
This book is extremely engaging and was a surprisingly quick read for something I expected to be a bit heavy considering the dismal topic. The authors do a great job of organizing the book through narrative accounts of their experiences with various individuals working to save and restore the plummeting numbers of birds in the U.S. This book is just as much about people as it is birds and there is a wide array of individuals and organizations represented—the efforts of scientists, ranchers, and even hunting groups are all included. This book is perfect for someone who is already passionate about conservation and birding but also could be the perfect eye-opening introduction to someone with no prior knowledge. There certainly so some doom and gloom within these pages and rightfully so—how can there not be when a third of North America’s birds have disappeared in the last 50 years—but the overall tone is hopeful and empowering.
April 21, 2024
I'll say up front that Anders and Bev are longtime friends. I remember when they stopped at our house in their Airstream trailer when first embarking on their bird adventure. They admitted their mission sounded daunting. I never doubted their ability to tackle such a tough subject. Still, I couldn't believe the amount of research and dedication that went into this book.
Anders and Bev traveled more than 25,000 miles, mostly in their Airstream, to report and write "A Wing and a Prayer." The book is remarkable. The Washington Post called it "a loving tribute to some of the avian world's most colorful species." You'll also learn about the humans who are trying to save the birds.
"A Wing and a Prayer isn't just for birders. It's for all of us who share the planet with these fascinating, and endangered, species. Be sure to read the Afterword with information about How You Can Help.
Bravo, Gyllenhaals!
Anders and Bev traveled more than 25,000 miles, mostly in their Airstream, to report and write "A Wing and a Prayer." The book is remarkable. The Washington Post called it "a loving tribute to some of the avian world's most colorful species." You'll also learn about the humans who are trying to save the birds.
"A Wing and a Prayer isn't just for birders. It's for all of us who share the planet with these fascinating, and endangered, species. Be sure to read the Afterword with information about How You Can Help.
Bravo, Gyllenhaals!
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