The Private Lives of Public Birds, Jack Gedney
The Private Lives of Public Birds, Jack Gedney
List: $15.99 | Sale: $11.20
Club: $7.99

The Private Lives of Public Birds
Learning to Listen to the Birds Where We Live

Author: Jack Gedney

Narrator: Jonathan Todd Ross

Unabridged: 6 hr 15 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 01/23/2024


Synopsis

A book to help the ordinary birdwatcher appreciate the fascinating songs, stories, and science of common birds.

Jack Gedney's studies of birds provide resonant, affirming answers to the questions: Who is this bird? In what way is it beautiful? Why does it matter? Masterfully linking an abundance of poetic references with up-to-date biological science, Gedney shares his devotion to everyday Western birds in fifteen essays. Each essay illuminates the life of a single species and its relationship to humans, and how these species can help us understand birds in general. A dedicated birdwatcher and teacher, Gedney finds wonder not only in the speed and glistening beauty of the Anna's hummingbird, but also in her nest building. He acclaims the turkey vulture's and red-tailed hawk's roles in our ecosystem, and he venerates the inimitable California scrub jay's work planting acorns. Knowing that we hear birds much more often than we see them, Gedney offers his expert's ear to help us not only identify bird songs and calls but also understand what the birds are saying. The crowd at the suet feeder will never look quite the same again. Join Gedney in the enchanted world of these not-so-ordinary birds.

About Jack Gedney

Jack Gedney was born in California, bounced around the country in his youth, and returned to his home state to complete his education, studying literature and natural history at UC Berkeley. He is also the author of a compact field guide to the trees of the San Francisco Bay Area and co-owner of a wild bird feeding and nature shop in Novato, California.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Valerie on February 06, 2023

A series of essays calling attention to the evolutionary successful birds who we sometimes dismiss because they are so common, without taking time to appreciate why they are so common. These essays showcase the many ways these bird enhance our landscape and give California its sense of place.......more

Goodreads review by Ross on September 04, 2022

Private Lives of Public Birds is a lyrical book by an author who loves the sound of birds in his life. Not just the forced listening of a birding walk, but rather the soundtrack of the every day. It's a California focused book, so to my North Carolina trained ears, many of the stories were like tale......more

Goodreads review by Lisa on July 24, 2024

Informative and Poetic. Really enjoyed it.......more

Goodreads review by LA on November 10, 2022

2022 Book #60 The Private Lives of Public Birds: Learning to Listen to the Birds Where We Live by Jack Gedney (2022) ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨(3.5/5) Enjoyed reading this 15 chapter book, each featuring a different bird of California. The author emphasizes listening to birds wherever you go instead of seeking them out.......more

Goodreads review by Kirsten on September 21, 2022

There are times when Jack Gedney’s writing is pompous and precious but then he writes a chapter on a bird you feel you know and he gets its - to your mind - exactly right. I live in Eastern Canada but most of his California birds are in my area too so quite relatable.......more