Reviews for A World On The Wing

by Scott Weidensaul

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Bird researcher and writer Weidensaul unpacks the state of bird migration research and conservation efforts.Bird migration is a wonder, a natural force that pushes small, fragile creatures to fly immense distances with both speed and tenacity. In his latest contribution to the subject, the Pulitzer Prize finalist provides a wide-ranging investigation into migration, including the success stories as well as current problems and those on the horizon: climate change, which is reshaping every single thing about migration; habitat loss and forest fragmentation, a serious danger tomigrant songbirds; rat infestation; and huntingespecially after wild meat became a status symbol rather than a mere source of protein. As in many of his previous books, Weidensaul is a peerless guide, sharing his intoxicating passion and decadeslong experience with countless bird species all over the world. Another pleasing aspect of the narrative is the authors fine-line descriptions of the often remote landscapes through which he has traveled and the vest-pocket character portraits of his birding comrades. Each of the chapters covers one or more species and localese.g., frigatebirds in the Galpagos, Amur falcons in China and Mongolia, whimbrels on Virginias Eastern Shore, more than 160 species of birds in Denali National Parkbut the author also ventures into other areas, such as a birds magnetic orientation ability and the genetic road map that allows them to embark on a successful migration. Of course, significant problems abound: the disappearance of birds habitat preferences and favored diets; the traditional trapping of songbirds in the Mediterranean for consumption (according to one estimate in 2016, trappers were killing between 1.3 million and 3.2 million birds annually in Cyprus, making this small island one of the worst placesfor this slaughter); and the disorientation of urban lights. As the author notes, because of the variety and number of routes, habitats, and species, their protection will require a vigorous global approach.Another winner from Weidensaul that belongs in every birders library. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.


Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Bird researcher and writer Weidensaul unpacks the state of bird migration research and conservation efforts. Bird migration is a wonder, a natural force that pushes small, fragile creatures to fly immense distances with both speed and tenacity. In his latest contribution to the subject, the Pulitzer Prize finalist provides a wide-ranging investigation into migration, including the success stories as well as current problems and those on the horizon: climate change, which “is reshaping every single thing about migration”; habitat loss and forest fragmentation, “a serious danger to…migrant songbirds”; rat infestation; and hunting—especially after “wild meat became a status symbol rather than a mere source of protein.” As in many of his previous books, Weidensaul is a peerless guide, sharing his intoxicating passion and decadeslong experience with countless bird species all over the world. Another pleasing aspect of the narrative is the author’s fine-line descriptions of the often remote landscapes through which he has traveled and the vest-pocket character portraits of his birding comrades. Each of the chapters covers one or more species and locales—e.g., frigatebirds in the Galápagos, Amur falcons in China and Mongolia, whimbrels on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, more than 160 species of birds in Denali National Park—but the author also ventures into other areas, such as a bird’s “magnetic orientation” ability and the “genetic road map” that allows them to embark on a successful migration. Of course, significant problems abound: the disappearance of birds’ habitat preferences and favored diets; the traditional trapping of songbirds in the Mediterranean for consumption (according to one estimate in 2016, “trappers were killing between 1.3 million and 3.2 million birds annually in Cyprus, making this small island one of the worst places…for this slaughter”); and the disorientation of urban lights. As the author notes, because of the variety and number of routes, habitats, and species, their protection will require a vigorous global approach. Another winner from Weidensaul that belongs in every birder’s library. Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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