Gift Ideas for Birdwatching and Ornithology Students: Book Edition

If you’re like me and want to learn everything there is about birds, these 10 books are a great start. It doesn’t matter if you are a veterinary student specializing in avian medicine, an avid birder, or a field biologist. All of these books will help increase your knowledge about birds!

Alex & Me by Irene Pepperberg

The reason why I brought an African Grey into my life is because of this book. Here is one of the opening lines: “How much impact could a one-pound ball of feathers have on the world? It took death for me to find out.” 

The book chronicles her groundbreaking work with Alex, an African Grey Parrot. It can be a tear-jerker, but it will make you appreciate these parrots.

The book goes into depth on Dr. Pepperberg’s research and how the graduate students got Alex to perform many verbal tasks. Plus, it dives into how Dr Pepperberg came to love and respect Alex the grey parrot.  

It showcases how Alex’s cognitive abilities challenged our understanding of avian intelligence. If you are fascinated by animal behavior and the complexities of interspecies communication, you will find this book particularly captivating. It’s great for anyone interested in studying animals in college.

Unique Fact: Alex was the first parrot to demonstrate the ability to comprehend and use human language meaningfully. Dr Pepperbergs work allowed us to challenge and re-think long-held beliefs about bird intelligence.

Sea Birds: The New Identification Guide

“Sea Birds: The New Identification Guide” by Peter Harrison is an essential resource for birds that spend their life at sea. Moreover, this guide offers comprehensive information on identifying and understanding various seabird species. It does this through Peter’s detailed illustrations and descriptive narratives.

Because it’s an invaluable tool for amateur birdwatchers and professional ornithologists, you will deepen your knowledge of seabirds. Learn more about beach birds here.

Unique Fact: The author has traveled the world studying sea birds; the book is a masterpiece. This guide contains Peter Harrison’s drawings and life’s work.

**there are Amazon affiliate links in this article, we earn a commission if you finalize a purchase***

The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan

Renowned author Amy Tan weaves personal anecdotes with insightful observations about the birds that visit her garden. This excellent collection is for readers who enjoy a memoir and natural history blend.

This book will help you understand backyard bird habitat ideas on a whole new level.

Unique Fact: Amy Tan, best known for her novels, brings her unique storytelling prowess to the birding world. She offers a literary perspective rarely seen in nature writing.

The Genius of Birds by Jennifer Ackerman

If you want to do a deep dive into the intelligence of birds, then start with this book! Not only that, but it also uncovers how birds solve problems, communicate, and navigate their environments with astonishing skill. It’s the perfect starting point for readers intrigued by animal cognition.

Unique Fact: The book highlights studies showing that some bird species can use tools. Did you know that the Chickadee has double the brain size of other birds in the same weight category?

Ten Birds That Changed the World by Stephen Moss

“Ten Birds That Changed the World” by naturalist Stephen Moss examines the profound impact certain bird species have had on human history, culture, and the environment. This book is excellent for someone on the edge of their bird obsession!

One of my favorite chapters is the one on ravens. In that chapter, Moss highlights their cognitive abilities. He does this by comparing them to great apes performing complex tasks. He passionately describes ravens as “more inspiring than any other species on the planet,”

Unique Fact: The book discusses the melting of Antarctic sea ice and how it is disrupting the breeding patterns of emperor penguins. This, in turn, is causing their chicks to face an increased risk of drowning.

What It’s Like to Be a Bird by David Allen Sibley

If you are looking for a fusion of an informative guide and an exquisite coffee table book, this is your winner. While it does serve as a helpful resource for understanding various bird species, its true charm lies in its lyrical prose and stunning illustrations.

The book eliminates heavy technical jargon in favor of a more poetic exploration of avian life. Because of this, it’s accessible and enjoyable for casual readers and dedicated bird lovers.

The artwork on each page is so unique. Subsequently, the artwork alone makes this an excellent coffee table book! These illustrations seamlessly blend with the text. Which in turn elevates the book’s overall appearance.

What sets What It’s Like to Be a Bird apart is that it is excellent for new birders or folks just starting a birdwatching journey!

Unique Fact: The book features rare and meticulously detailed illustrations. I love how it showcases renowned wildlife artists. Did you know that some featured ones have never been published before? This makes the book a gift that any birder will love.

A World on the Wing by Scott Weidensaul

“A World on the Wing” by Scott Weidensaul is an immersive journey into the migratory patterns of birds. I love how Weidensaul tracks birds’ incredible journeys through storytelling and detailed research.

Plus, I loved learning about the specific challenges birds face. Then, seeing the strategies they use to overcome these challenges is fun! This book is ideal for those fascinated by migration, travel, and the endurance of nature.

Unique Fact: The author follows the migratory paths of several bird species across continents. By doing so, it offers firsthand accounts of their long-distance flights. Plus, talking about environmental factors influencing their routes is a common thread throughout the book.

The Thing with Feathers by Noah Strycker

I love how this book explores the intricate relationships between humans and birds. Additionally, the personal stories make it a super interesting read!

Furthermore, I love how the book goes into how birds influence our lives. Personally, I was invested in the emotional and ecological connections with avian species that the book made.

Unique Fact: I read a biography about the author, and he has been fascinated by birds since he was a teen. His book goes into many of his stories as a scientist and bird lover! Did you know that physicists study certain birds for their impressive ability to fly in flocks without colliding?

Handbook of Bird Biology by Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology

What an important resource for someone who wants to know everything there is to know about birds. If you are an ornithology student, avian vet, and serious bird enthusiast, this book is for you!

I love how this handbook covers all aspects of avian biology. It is a college-level book that anyone can learn from! Furthermore, it includes physiology, behavior, ecology, and conservation.

It’s an indispensable reference for anyone pursuing academic or professional interests in bird science.   Lastly, this book is a great place to start if you want comprehensive college-level information about birds.

Unique Fact: The handbook is regularly updated to include the latest and most significant research findings. Furthermore, these updates help ensure it remains a cutting-edge resource.

Avian Anatomy Textbook by König, Korbel, and Liebich

In veterinary school, this anatomy textbook helped me solidify and memorize everything I had learned in class. The book will give you the complete anatomy of the bird species.

I love its detailed diagrams, descriptions, and explanations. This textbook was essential for me as a bird student. It helped me understand the unique physiological adaptations that enable birds to fly, navigate, and thrive in diverse environments.

Unique Fact: The textbook has sections like “head and trunk,” “thoracic limbs,” and more. Then, just like any other anatomy book, it goes through all body systems, like digestive, respiratory, immune, and more.

Final Thoughts on Gift Ideas for Bird People

These ten books are where I started when I was first learning about birds. Any one of these books can make a perfect gift for any bird lover, birdwatcher, avian scientist, or veterinary student. Whether you’re interested in personal memoirs, scientific studies, or practical identification guides, there’s something here to inspire and educate enthusiasts of all levels.