Ten Thousand Birds: Ornithology Since Darwin

Ten Thousand Birds: Ornithology since Darwin is a big book! It needs to be, as the growth of ornithology has been almost exponential over this time. Indeed, there were as many papers published in 2011 as there were for the 100 years prior to 1955! Rather than try to cram in the entirety of the past 150 years, the authors have focussed on some of ornithology’s greatest contributions to the study of biology. While this inevitably leaves large gaps in the history, the eleven chapters ranging from evolution to behaviour, migration and conservation are a thoroughly engaging read. Each chapter is replete with stories, including plenty of rivalry and controversy, which reveal the influences and foundations upon which each advance has been built.

In addition, each chapter ends with the authors’ summary of the current state of the topic and autobiographies of influential ornithologists. These autobiographies are an inspirational touch, being sufficiently lengthy so as to allow real insights into the evolution of their views as well as showing their pathway to becoming ornithologists.

Book reviewed by David Hodkinson