Of a Feather: A Brief History of American Birding

by: Scott Weidensaul

Published by: Harcourt

Reviewed by Muhammed Hassanali

Weidensaul traces the evolution of birding in America from the time the Europeans arrived to the early 21st century. Along the way one meets several characters both schooled and self-taught in ornithology. One reads about our own changing attitudes towards birding which ranges from collecting eggs, to displaying stuffed birds, to watching them, to now checking names off a list.

Weidensaul implicitly refers to birding as a leisure activity. It would follow then that birding would be linked to the amount of leisure time available and other competing activities As field guides are an important part of birding, our literacy levels and communication technology (books, laptops, iPods, wireless internet access, etc.) would also affect the development of birding. Other areas of technology would also influence birding. The most obvious is the metamorphism of opera glasses to binoculars, and now advanced night vision technology. The development of the camera also gave us an alternative to the shotgun for displaying our “trophies.” Hiking shoes, outdoor clothing, bug repellant, and other technological strides helped shape birding into its present form.

Additionally, our attitudes towards nature (as masters or stewards) in general, specifically towards other species, and especially towards feathered bipeds, would direct our vision of birding. For a book that professes to provide a discussion on the history of American birding, I was expecting more analysis and interpretation on factors that affect birding, and less narration.

In the last chapter Weidensaul laments that birding has become a competitive “spot, tick and run” activity. He writes that besides ticking a list, our approach to birding should be “something more holistic [300].” While one may agree with this ideal, the reality (as Weidensaul describes it) is different. He concludes that: “Now bird study is poised to enter what could be a fresh and, I hope, golden age [313].” It is difficult to understand how he could have reached this conclusion – especially in light of the preceding narrative.

The author builds a case for directing more of our efforts towards preservation and reminds us that without birds, birders have nothing to look at and listen to.

Armchair Interviews says: The writing is compelling, personal, and full of facts.