Description
Book SynopsisHumans are not like other mammals. In fact, this book argues, across the animal kingdom we demonstrate unusual behaviour, rarely found except in one other group: birds. Exploring the pressures that influenced our evolution alongside that of birds can lead us to a greater understanding of both avian intelligence, and our own psychology.
Trade ReviewOne can see why this book was written -- convergent evolution. Illustrations of the ways in which similar challenges lead to similar solutions. And, at this level, I must say it is a pretty entertaining read. * Michael Ruse, The Quarterly Review of Biology *
Martinho-Truswell reports lots of interesting animal behavior here. Readers will learn a lot about the capabilities of the bird brain and body as well as their own. * Joanna Burger, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick *
A must read for anyone with an interest in bird/human behavior. * Ian Paulsen, Macquarie University, The Birdbooker Report *
entertaining * Clive Cookson, Financial Times, Summer Books 2022: Science *
It's a fascinating, indeed almost surreal topic, and the book is full of facts and observations about how birds, and we, have evolved in similarly exceptional ways. * Gregory Day, Sydney Morning Herald *
Engagingly and entertainingly written, this book places some of the many recent discoveries about bird intelligence into a fascinating human-bird framework. * Tim Birkhead *
This is a short book written in a refreshingly readable style.[...]The Parrot in the Mirror is clever, fun, and [...] reminds us that wonder exists far beyond our own species. * Henry Mance, Financial Times *
Having read [The Parrot in the Mirror], you won't look at yourself in the mirror in quite the same way. * Simon Ings, New Scientist *
I was happy to be learning about birds as birds and not as models for my own species... the basic premise of The Parrot in the Mirror was persuasive. * Frank Brown Cloud, Public scholar Bloomington, IN *
Table of ContentsIntroduction 1: How Did We Get Here? 2: A Long and Happy Life 3: Bird Brains 4: Till Death Do Us Part 5: Learning to Sing 6: Parrots in the Mirror Bibliography Index
