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

Jack Gedney

Jan 2024 · Tantor Media Inc · Narrated by Jonathan Todd Ross

About this audiobook

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 the author

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 the author of a compact field guide to the trees of the San Francisco Bay Area and The Private Lives of Public Birds.

Jonathan Todd Ross has narrated over 120 audiobooks across a wide variety of genres. An Audie Award winner, he is also the recipient of numerous YALSA and AudioFile Earphones Awards. Jonathan loves narrating all genres, bringing the author's words to audio-life.