What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World

Companion audio files are available at www.hmhbooks.com/whattherobinknows A lifelong birder tracker and naturalist Jon Young is guided in his work and teaching by three basic premises: the robin junco and other songbirds know everything important about their environment be it backyard or forest; by tuning in to their vocalizations and behavior we can acquire much of this wisdom for our own pleasure and benefit; and the birds companion calls and warning alarms are just as important as their songs. Birds are the sentriesand our key to understanding the world beyond our front door. Unwitting humans create a zone of disturbance that scatters the wildlife. Respectful humans who heed the birds acquire an awareness that radically changes the dynamic. We are welcome in their habitat. The birds dont fly away. The larger animals dont race off. No longer hapless intruders we now find see and engage the deer the fox the red-shouldered hawkeven the elusive whispering wren. Deep bird language is an ancient discipline perfected by Native peoples the world over. Finally science is catching up. This groundbreaking book unites the indigenous knowledge the latest research and the authors own experience of four decades in the field to lead us toward a deeper connection to the animals and in the end a deeper connection to ourselves.