The Bird Name Book is an alphabetical reference book on the origins and meanings of common group bird names, from “accentor” to “zeledonia.” A cornucopia of engaging facts and anecdotes, this superbly researched compendium presents a wealth of incisive entries alongside stunning photos by the author and beautiful historic prints and watercolors. Myers provides brief biographies of prominent figures in ornithology—such as John Gould, John Latham, Alfred Newton, and Robert Ridgway—and goes on to describe the etymological history of every common group bird name found in standardized English. She interweaves the stories behind the names with quotes from publications dating back to the 1400s, illuminating the shared evolution of language and our relationships with birds, and rooting the names in the history of ornithological discovery.
Whether you are a well-traveled birder or have ever wondered how the birds in your backyard got their names, The Bird Name Book is an ideal companion.
Susan Myers is a senior leader at WINGS Birding Tours Worldwide and has led birding tours in Asia and other regions for more than twenty years. Her books include Wildlife of Southeast Asia and Birds of Borneo: Brunei, Sabah, Sarawak, and Kalimantan (both Princeton).
"[A] fascinating combination of etymology and ornithology."—Nate Swick, American Birding Podcast
"I found the answers to many questions in this book, and I am sure you will, too."—John Miles, Birdwatching Magazine
"If you have ever wondered about the origins of the English words we use to name birds, this book is for you."—BirdWatching
"This is an exceptionally fine book and one that I imagine every bird lover will will wish to have."—David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds
"Hats off to ornithologist Susan Myers on the exhaustive research and colourful writing style that characterise her latest book. . . Hard to put down."—Jim Wright, The Wryneck
"Extensive and well-researched . . . . Each entry goes beyond etymology, weaving in interesting ornithological details."—Penny Sarchet, Wild Wild Lfie
"[Myers] research, painstaking and comprehensive throughout, resulted in production of this fascinating volume which spans alphabetically – from Accentor to Zeledonia – all the bird groups of the world."—Jim Wright, Lincolnshire Bird Club
"As ever from Princeton this is a book produced to the highest standards of presentation and fit & finish, one which I highly recommend to readers of Another Bird Blog and to birders everywhere. . . . It’s time to get your order in folks."—Phil Slade, Another Bird Blog
"[A] valuable reference work for academic and public libraries."—H.T. Armistead, Choice
"I certainly learnt many interesting facts from the entries that I read through and often couldn’t resist reading just one more entry before I put the book down again."—Stephen Menzie, British Birds
"This is a book to treasure."—Andrew Lack, IBIS Book Reviews
