Welcome to Subirdia: Sharing Our Neighborhoods with Wrens, Robins, Woodpeckers, and Other Wildlife

In this captivating book John Marzluff describes how “Homo urbanus” has been shaping biodiversity in cities and towns, drawing examples from his own extensive research as well as other studies, in particular from Europe.
The initial distinction between species that are “avoiders” or “adapters” within the transition from wilderness to suburbia and city centres introduces a very good overview of the challenges and population-limiting factors faced by urban species. A section on the role of humans as drivers of species adaptation in our cities introduces the second part of the book, focused on ten practical aspects that people can address in order to “facilitate biological diversity”.
This book is a fascinating account of the processes shaping urban bird biodiversity in the USA and the rest of the Western world. It offers a reminder that people in cities are losing touch with nature, which in turn is adapting to live alongside them in a fragile ecosystem. The accessible narrative style and comprehensive cover of the key aspects make this book an excellent read for anyone interested in the subject of the impact of urbanisation on birds