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| The Singing Life of Birds: The Art and Science of Listening to Birdsong | 
| Author: Donald Kroodsma
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Category: Book
List Price: $16.95
Buy Used: $0.54
You Save: $16.41 (97%)
New (27) from $6.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  20 reviews
Sales Rank: 46559
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 496
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.1
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 6.7 x 1.3
ISBN: 0618840761
Dewey Decimal Number: 598.1594
EAN: 9780618840762
ASIN: 0618840761
Publication Date: April 25, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 1-5 of 20 | | NEXT » |
 A gift for mom February 9, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I really liked the looks of this book. I got it for my mother who is a bird enthusiast but she said it required far more knowledge of music than she had.The last we talked she was going to send it back. Bummer.
Great book & CD January 30, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The book is a fun & interesting read with many unique insights.
I have actually played the CD during these winter months just to hear the great outdoors. It makes the house sound like spring time with the windows open.
"Not least,for just being there and singing,I thank the birds themselves." May 24, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
With over 1,000 "Bird Books" in my collection;it takes something real special to excite me. This book is such a special book. There are many books,records,tapes CD's and DVD'd that do an excellent job of teaching and describing bird songs so that with some practice you can recognize a large number of birds in the field.
Howerever,much more than showing a few ,typical songs of birds,so that you can recognize them when they call or sing;this book goes far deeper in showing you how to understand and appreciate bird song. There is much more to the song of a Chestnut-sided Warbler than the common "Pleased-pleased-pleased-to-MEETCHA." or the "whip-poor-Will" of the Whip-poor-will than one could ever imagine.In the case of the American Robin the author has found out how to tell one robin from another right in your own backyard. Obviously,it would take many years to learn and understand in detail all the songs of a large number of species as the author has done;but then he has studied birdsong for over 30 years and was recognized as "the reigning authority on the biology of avian vocal behavior"by the American Ornithologist's Union in 2003.
In this book,Kroodsma gives us the benefit of his vast knowledge,and it will certainly become "the book to have" for anyone who wants to give bird song serious study.His writing style is such that a very complicated subject can be understood and helpful;be the reader one who is a relative amateur or an extremely experienced birder.
One could almost start reading at any point in the book;but I would suggest,after the first chapter,turn to page 366,"Bird Sounds on the Compact Disc" and play the CD and follow the description for each track.You might even want to do do this a couple of times.
Another suggestion, once you have purused the book, would be to pick one of the birds the author has gone into detail with,and that are abundant near your home ,such as the American Robin,and really study the songs as the author explains.This can be done simply,as long as you don't try to get into advanced recording.A notepad,pen,seat and a cool drink will suffice.
At first glance this book might overwhelm you ;but don't let it.
I have two wonderful friends,sisters Joan and Gail,who I meet each spring at Point Pelee in Ontario. Joan was given this book by a friend,thought it was "too deep" for her;so she gave it to me. Thanks Joan,I love it.
An Excellent Book April 3, 2007
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I was looking for a book on bird song to give to a friend who is graduating from music school, and I bought the Kroodsma book on the recommendation of other Amazon reviewers, whom I can't thank enough for encouraging me to purchase this book. Having also purchased "Why Birds Sing" and "Birdsong: A Natural History" for my friend, I find that the Kroodsma is by far and away the better book, not only because it contains a cd, but because of the unique writing style that reflects a lifetime interest in and knowledge of the subject matter.
The Singing Life of Birds January 9, 2007
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
A scientist's very personal record of the life and song of the great number of birds, including a CD with autor's recordings as well as the recordings of some of his colleagues. The extensive and interesting narrative is supplemented by many analyses of the structure of the bird's song. Author's interest and knowledge of music is reflected in comparing the birds' and human's music "appreciation". The sonagrams are shown in the text as well on the screen in their multifaceted form.
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Wildlife, nature and the Environment
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