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Vaughn Public Library - Ashland

The private lives of birds: a scientist reveals the intricacies of avian social life
(Book)

Book Cover
Average Rating
Published:
New York : Walker & Co., [2010].
Format:
Book
Physical Desc:
249 pages, [4]o. of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 25 cm
Status:
Description

Biologist Bridget Stutchbury takes readers along on her escapades as a bird detective, stalking subjects through the woods for hours, taking blood samples from nestlings for DNA analysis, and mounting miniature tracking devices on tiny backs. She captures several young white-and-brown male purple martins and paints them the darker color of mature males to see if the painted youngsters are more successful than their unaltered peers in wresting away nest sites from older males. They are!

The Private Lives of Birds is a treasure trove of fascinating insights into bird behavior. But understanding the social lives of birds does much more than slake our curiosity. Aware that many birds will not occupy an area unless other birds are already there, biologists used mirrors and two-dimensional cutouts to lure Atlantic puffins to establish colonies off the coast of Maine, getting curious puffins to visit the site and linger long enough to encounter a live bird. As Stutchbury says, "Trying to save birds without understanding what makes them tick is a shot in the dark … birds are highly social, and their social needs are at least as important as their physical needs."

Also in This Series
Copies
Location
Call Number
Status
Last Check-In
Mercer Adult Nonfiction
598.15 STU Nature
Available
Aug 11, 2017
More Like This
More Details
Language:
English
ISBN:
9780802717467, 0802717462

Notes

General Note
Nonfiction.
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Description
""With her trademark clarity and humor, Bridget Stutchbury---'bird detective' extraordinaire---reveals avian lives of uncommon drama, rife with adultery, divorce, sibling rivalry, lying, social climbing, and life-or-death marathons---a peek into a world at once familiar and wonderfully different from our own."---Scott Weidensaul, author of Of a Feather: A Brief History of American Birding" ""Bridget Stutchbury dodges killer bees, wakes before dawn to follow birds through the forest, and peers through a ̀riparia-scope' at hundreds of eggs. Don't miss her stories of personal adventure and her far-reaching scientific synthesis explaining the amazing behaviors of birds and what they mean for the birds' survival and future."---Miyoko Chu, author of Songbird Journeys" ""A treasure-house of insights into the lives of birds and the glorious evolutionary energy that powers their displays and courtship---and their not infrequent infidelities."---Graeme Gibson, author of The Bedside Book of Birds" ""Be warned: Reading The Private Lives of Birds is likely to make you chuck in your present job to become a bird biologist. Who would have known that our beloved wild birds would turn out to be liars, cheats, and bullies? In elegant and lucid prose, Stutchbury explains why birds act the way they do."---Glen Chilton, author of The Curse of the Labrador Duck" "Biologist Bridget Stutchbury takes us along on her escapades as a bird detective, stalking subjects through the woods for hours, mounting miniature tracking devices on their backs, and taking blood samples from nestlings for DNA analysis. She captures several young white-and-brown male purple martins and paints them the darker color of mature males to see if the painted youngsters are more successful than their unaltered peers in wresting away nest sites from older males. They are!".
Description
"The Private Lives of Birds is a treasure trove of fascinating insights into bird behavior, from why some birds readily "divorce" to why parents don't treat their sons and daughters equally, from why females sneak in quick sex with neighboring males to why some adults forgo breeding altogether. In many bird species, including crows and jays, parents are assisted by one or more "extra adults who are temporary live-in nannies, or ̀helpers,' and share the burden of parenting." Do the helpers benefit in some way?" "Understanding the social lives of birds does much more than slake our curiosity. To boost numbers of Atlantic puffins, biologists---aware that many birds will not occupy an area unless other birds are already there---successfully used mirrors and two-dimensional cutouts to lure puffins to unoccupied islands off the coast of Maine, attracting the first curious arrivals and getting them to linger long enough to encounter a live bird and eventually breed. As Stutchbury says, "Trying to save birds without understanding what makes them tick is a shot in the dark...Birds are highly social, and their social needs are at least as important as their physical needs.""--BOOK JACKET.
Citations
APA Citation (style guide)

Stutchbury, B. J. (2010). The private lives of birds: a scientist reveals the intricacies of avian social life. New York, Walker & Co.

Chicago / Turabian - Author Date Citation (style guide)

Stutchbury, Bridget Joan, 1962-. 2010. The Private Lives of Birds: A Scientist Reveals the Intricacies of Avian Social Life. New York, Walker & Co.

Chicago / Turabian - Humanities Citation (style guide)

Stutchbury, Bridget Joan, 1962-, The Private Lives of Birds: A Scientist Reveals the Intricacies of Avian Social Life. New York, Walker & Co, 2010.

MLA Citation (style guide)

Stutchbury, Bridget Joan. The Private Lives of Birds: A Scientist Reveals the Intricacies of Avian Social Life. New York, Walker & Co, 2010.

Note! Citation formats are based on standards as of July 2022. Citations contain only title, author, edition, publisher, and year published. Citations should be used as a guideline and should be double checked for accuracy.
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Grouped Work ID:
c1095565-843b-1be6-0b01-cbb0345416b6
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Record Information

Last Sierra Extract TimeMar 14, 2024 09:28:33 PM
Last File Modification TimeMar 14, 2024 09:28:45 PM
Last Grouped Work Modification TimeMar 14, 2024 09:28:37 PM

MARC Record

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5050 |a Philandering flycatchers : why females cheat on their mates -- Monogamy in a tropical paradise : timing is everything -- Finicky females : what makes males look attractive -- Avian operas : mate choice by ear -- 'Til death do us part : why birds divorce -- Your turn or mine? : how birds parent -- Empty nest : finding a first home -- Fight or flight : territory defence and aggression -- Bird cities : why birds live in groups -- Frequent fliers : the demands of migration -- Can birds change with the times?
5201 |a ""With her trademark clarity and humor, Bridget Stutchbury---'bird detective' extraordinaire---reveals avian lives of uncommon drama, rife with adultery, divorce, sibling rivalry, lying, social climbing, and life-or-death marathons---a peek into a world at once familiar and wonderfully different from our own."---Scott Weidensaul, author of Of a Feather: A Brief History of American Birding" ""Bridget Stutchbury dodges killer bees, wakes before dawn to follow birds through the forest, and peers through a ̀riparia-scope' at hundreds of eggs. Don't miss her stories of personal adventure and her far-reaching scientific synthesis explaining the amazing behaviors of birds and what they mean for the birds' survival and future."---Miyoko Chu, author of Songbird Journeys" ""A treasure-house of insights into the lives of birds and the glorious evolutionary energy that powers their displays and courtship---and their not infrequent infidelities."---Graeme Gibson, author of The Bedside Book of Birds" ""Be warned: Reading The Private Lives of Birds is likely to make you chuck in your present job to become a bird biologist. Who would have known that our beloved wild birds would turn out to be liars, cheats, and bullies? In elegant and lucid prose, Stutchbury explains why birds act the way they do."---Glen Chilton, author of The Curse of the Labrador Duck" "Biologist Bridget Stutchbury takes us along on her escapades as a bird detective, stalking subjects through the woods for hours, mounting miniature tracking devices on their backs, and taking blood samples from nestlings for DNA analysis. She captures several young white-and-brown male purple martins and paints them the darker color of mature males to see if the painted youngsters are more successful than their unaltered peers in wresting away nest sites from older males. They are!".
5208 |a "The Private Lives of Birds is a treasure trove of fascinating insights into bird behavior, from why some birds readily "divorce" to why parents don't treat their sons and daughters equally, from why females sneak in quick sex with neighboring males to why some adults forgo breeding altogether. In many bird species, including crows and jays, parents are assisted by one or more "extra adults who are temporary live-in nannies, or ̀helpers,' and share the burden of parenting." Do the helpers benefit in some way?" "Understanding the social lives of birds does much more than slake our curiosity. To boost numbers of Atlantic puffins, biologists---aware that many birds will not occupy an area unless other birds are already there---successfully used mirrors and two-dimensional cutouts to lure puffins to unoccupied islands off the coast of Maine, attracting the first curious arrivals and getting them to linger long enough to encounter a live bird and eventually breed. As Stutchbury says, "Trying to save birds without understanding what makes them tick is a shot in the dark...Birds are highly social, and their social needs are at least as important as their physical needs.""--BOOK JACKET.
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