An exploration of communicating with birds and the lessons they can
teach us
- Discusses specific birdtalk techniques and offers insights into many
species
- Looks at the long-standing tradition of "avitherapy" throughout
history and in literature and the arts
- Explains how song-talk with birds restores peace, calms anxiety, and
enhances health
For decades Alan Powers has studied bird vocalizations, developing the
remarkable ability to imitate birds' songs and get them to respond and
even change tunes. Through his years of study, he has discovered that
birds can teach us important lessons about the world and about
ourselves. As Powers explains, by communing cross-species we reach out
to the timeless interconnected web of all life past and present--what
Renaissance philosopher Giordano Bruno called in Latin the Uni-versus,
the "Whole turned into One."
Sharing his journey to learn birdtalk and his profound observations
about the poetic, spiritual, and healing influences of birdsong, Powers
explores the ancient language of birds and the depth of meaning birds
convey. He explains how bird speech sounds like song to us, but birdtalk
is urgent and nuanced, whether about predators or the weather. He
details how he began learning birdtalk, listening to one bird each
summer, learning their many vocalizations and variations. Discussing
specific techniques, he shares insights into the birdtalk of many
species, including the complex and intelligent speech of Crows, the
emotional depths of Loons, the mimicry of Blue Jays, and the beautiful
song of the Wood Thrush.
Exploring the intertwined metaphysics of bird and human languages,
Powers looks at the long-standing tradition of "avitherapy" throughout
history, literature, and the arts. He shares insights into birds from
Shakespeare and Emily Dickinson, reveals how birds appear in love songs
throughout the world, and examines how famous writers such as Keats,
Catullus, St. Francis of Assisi, and the French historian Jules Michelet
found that talking to birds improved their state of mind. He also
explores how song-talk with birds restores peace, calms anxiety, and
enhances health.
