Life with Birds: A Story of Mutual Exploitation

From the earliest days of human existence we have exploited birds. So writes Malcolm Smith, former Chief Scientist at the Countryside Council of Wales, and author of this little book. We are, perhaps, used to hearing of how we have made use of birds but it is refreshing to read this account, where the balance is maintained with numerous examples of how birds have learned, or evolved, to exploit us and our human landscapes and structures. Honeyguides have an ancient link with humans and some species of vulture do us a service by clearing away our corpses, for example. A refreshingly balanced look at the relationships between us and the birds around us.

Book reviewed by Su Gough