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Why Do Birds Do That by Dr Grainne Cleary

  • Writer: NZ Booklovers
    NZ Booklovers
  • Oct 26, 2022
  • 2 min read

Birdwatchers will be entranced by this fascinating new book filled with information about birds: their behaviours, characteristics, survival skills, the food they eat and their habitats.


Arranged in an easy-to-find questions and answers format, over 50 answers have been provided to many of the most-often asked questions about Why do birds do that?


The author, Dr Grainne Cleary, is a wildlife ecologist based in Melbourne who is fascinated by bird behaviour. At times while writing this book her two pet galahs were climbing over her, trying to pull keys off her keyboard! Their antics and charm provided her with a constant inspiration for this book.


Although Why Do Birds Do That? is about the birds Dr Cleary encounters on a daily basis on the street, in parks and in her own back garden many of her questions and answers are also relevant to the birds we have here in New Zealand.


Many of the answers in her book are based on studies that scientists have done about bird behaviour but there is still much that is unknown, for example, why some birds live in family groups while other birds do not is an important question of evolutionary biology that remains largely unanswered.


The detailed explanations and the scientific language make it a book best suited to adults and secondary school students with an interest in birds, but you could easily simplify the explanations for younger children.


With this book at hand, you will not be stuck for answer when you are out for a walk in the neighbourhood or in the bush and a child or grandchild pipes up with questions such as:


Why do birds have feathers? Why do they lay eggs? Why do birds build nests. And why do birds not get electrocuted or fall off powerlines? Or Why are all bird poos white?


In her book Dr Grainne Cleary notes that as urbanization increases, our wildlife is losing more and more habitat, making animals desperate for a safe place. Intensification is happening in our cities too and there are less and less public green spaces. So, for those of us who have gardens it is very important to create a sanctuary for them.


‘We need to share our spaces with the amazing birdlife this country has to offer. If we do, we will be rewarded with their presence, songs, and unique behaviours. When given the chance, birds enrich our lives and remind us that we need to protect this country for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.


Having informed conversations about birds might well inspire young people to observe birds more closely, to appreciate them more, and want to look after them.


Reviewer: Lyn Potter

Allen & Unwin



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