The Genius of Birds by Jennifer Ackerman

3.99 AVERAGE

abigailsweetman's profile picture

abigailsweetman's review against another edition

3.75
informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
sabinedevos's profile picture

sabinedevos's review against another edition

4.0
funny informative inspiring medium-paced
kamja's profile picture

kamja's review against another edition

4.0
informative slow-paced

iplay_thefox's review against another edition

3.0
informative reflective medium-paced
tawallah's profile picture

tawallah's review against another edition

4.0
informative medium-paced

pixiegael's review against another edition

4.0
informative medium-paced
I read and enjoyed this book a few years ago. Fascinating examination of birds and the ways in which they are intelligent.  On this second reading, I found I was quite disturbed by some of the experiments Ackerman describes.

blainthemono's review against another edition

4.0
informative lighthearted medium-paced

gimchi's review against another edition

3.0
2.5

could not get into this for some reason, despite enjoying nature non-fiction and birds. seemed very dry?
jayco's profile picture

jayco's review against another edition

4.0
informative
My favorite chapters were Four Hundred Tongues: Vocal Virtuosity and The Bird Artist: Aesthetic Aptitude. I've unlocked a new life goal: I want to see bowerbirds during mating season. Which would most likely involved a trip to New Guinea and/or Australia. Two places I'd never really had much interest in going, but the avian diversity there has brought me around to the idea. As a linguaphile, I had a wonderful time learning about birdsong. Did you know birds have accents? Super fascinating stuff. 

sashinkareads's review against another edition

4.5
funny informative slow-paced