The Courage of Birds
And the Often Surprising Ways They Survive Winter
A recommended “bird-related book to give this season” by The Washington Post
From our own backyards to the rim of the Arctic ice, countless birds have adapted to meet the challenges of the winter season. This is their remarkable story, told by award-winning birder and acclaimed writer Pete Dunne, accompanied by illustrations from renowned artist and birder David Sibley.
Despite the seasonal life-sapping cold, birds have evolved strategies that meet winter’s vicissitudes head on, driven by the imperative to make it to spring and pass down their genes to the next generation. The drama of winter and the resilience and adaptability of birds witnessed in the harsher months of the calendar is both fascinating and astonishing.
In The Courage of Birds, Pete Dunne—winner of the American Birding Association’s Roger Tory Peterson Award for lifetime achievement in promoting the cause of birding—chronicles the behavior of the birds of North America. He expertly explores widespread adaptations, such as feathers that protect against the cold, and unpacks the unique migration patterns and survival strategies of individual species. Dunne also addresses the impact of changing climatic conditions on avian longevity and recounts personal anecdotes that soar with a naturalist’s gimlet eye.
Filled with unforgettable facts, wit, and moving observations on the natural world, Dunne’s book is for everyone; from the serious birder who tracks migration patterns, to the casual birder who logs daily reports on eBird, to the backyard observer who throws a handful of seed out for the Northern Cardinals and wonders how the birds magically appear in the garden when temperatures begin to fall.
Praise for Pete Dunne
“Dunne’s prose is lyrical, sensitive, and full of feeling.”
—Ted Floyd, editor, Birding
“Pete is arguably North America’s best and best-known birder—and he’s also a terrific writer.”
—Scott Shalaway, author and former syndicated nature columnist
Praise for David Sibley
“There are 47 million birdwatchers. But there is only one David Sibley. . . . He is a boon to both the birding world and the art world.”
—The National Audubon Society
“[His] exacting artwork and wide-ranging expertise bring observed behaviors vividly to life.”
—Birdwatching
Reviews and Praise
"Engaging . . . Filled with full-page black-and-white illustrations by David Allen Sibley, [it] explores the remarkable ways birds manage to evade or endure the deadly cold of winter. (Dunne includes helpful advice about birdfeeders and bird-friendly plantings.)"
—Ron Charles, The Washington Post
More Reviews and Praise
“Kudos to Pete Dunne for a fresh take on the hardy birds that brave the cold. The Courage of Birds is packed with fascinating stories and tidbits. For best results, savor this book by a cozy fire with a hot cocoa.”
—Noah Strycker, associate editor, Birding magazine; author of Birding Without Borders
“Pete Dunne’s keen and vivid prose, paired with David Allen Sibley’s graceful illustrations, transforms our relationship with birds in winter. Every page offers a dazzling feat of survival. Deftly weaving behaviors with a lifetime of personal stories, the legendary author inspires us to give back to birds that brighten our lives. This book will become a well-worn companion with a special place on my desk overlooking feeders and native plants.”
—Marina Richie, author of Halcyon Journey, winner of the 2024 John Burroughs Medal for distinguished nature writing
“There is no better team in the world of birds than Dunne and Sibley, and The Courage of Birds showcases both their strengths—Pete Dunne’s witty, insightful writing and David Allen Sibley’s gorgeously evocative art—which together bring alive the winter world of birds. It’s wonder and wisdom in equal parts.”
—Scott Weidensaul, author of A World on the Wing
“Pete Dunne writes about birds as deeply respected colleagues, fellow travelers. Famously enamored of raptors, he neglects not the quail, the robin, nor the chickadee, his sense of wonder at their adaptations and capabilities fully intact. The Courage of Birds is biologically informed and rich with anecdote, like a good day in the field with this dean of American birders. David Allen Sibley’s lovely reductionist paintings are all about form and light, unburdened by detail. It’s a fine pairing.”
—Julie Zickefoose, author and illustrator of Saving Jemima, Baby Birds, The Bluebird Effect, and Letters from Eden
“Birds in winter don’t merely survive, they flourish! In The Courage of Birds, Pete Dunne challenges us to reimagine the colder months as a season of delight and discovery for anybody who loves to watch and wonder about birds.”
—Ted Floyd, editor, American Birding Association’s Birding magazine
About The Author
About Pete Dunne
Pete Dunne is an author and founder of the World Series of Birding, former Director of Natural History Information for the New Jersey Audubon Society, and former director of the Cape May Bird Observatory. An experienced tour leader, he is well-known for his columns and contributions to publications such as American Birds and Birding. He is also the author of more than twenty books, including Birds of Prey, Gulls Simplified, The Art of Pishing, The Wind Masters, and, most recently, The Shorebirds of North America.
Books By Pete Dunne
| Pages: | 192 pages |
| Book Art: | 12, black-and-white digitally produced illustrations |
| Size: | 5.5 x 8.5 inch |
| Publisher: | Chelsea Green Publishing |
| US Pub. Date: | October 31, 2024 |
| UK Pub. Date: | February 6, 2025 |
| Hardcover: | 9781645022572 |
Available In/Retail Price
Hardcover, 192 pages, $28USD, £22.00GBP
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