Bird Song
Biological Themes and Variations

This second edition is a highly illustrated, biological explanation of how and why birds communicate with elaborate bird songs.

C. K. Catchpole (Author), P. J. B. Slater (Author)

9780521872423, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 22 May 2008

348 pages
25 x 19.5 x 2 cm, 0.91 kg

'… the well-known authors and experts, Professor C. K. Catchpole and Professor P. J. B. Slater thoroughly achieve their stated aims in this excellent book … having read it avidly from cover to cover, I think it is an excellent read … if … you are at all interested in why and how birds vocalise, go out and buy this book.' Wildlife Sound

Bird song is one of the most remarkable and impressive sounds in the natural world, and has inspired not only students of natural history, but also great writers, poets and composers. Extensively updated from the first edition, the main thrust of this book is to suggest that the two main functions of song are attracting a mate and defending territory. It shows how this evolutionary pressure has led to the amazing variety and complexity we see in the songs of different species throughout the world. Writing primarily for students and researchers in animal behavior, the authors review over 1000 scientific papers and reveal how scientists are beginning to unravel and understand how and why birds communicate with the elaborate vocalizations we call song. Highly illustrated throughout and written in straightforward language, Bird Song also holds appeal for amateur ornithologists with some knowledge of biology.

1. The study of bird song
2. Production and perception
3. How song develops
4. Getting the message across
5. When do birds sing?
6. Recognition and territorial defence
7. Sexual selection and female choice
8. Themes and variations
9. Variation in time and space.

Subject Areas: Birds [ornithology PSVW6], Animal behaviour [PSVP]