A "fantastically informative" exploration of the hummingbird from an
acclaimed natural history writer that is "exceedingly well-researched
and packed with fascinating lore" (Wall Street Journal)
Hummingbirds are a glittering, sparkling collective of over three
hundred wildly variable species. For centuries, they have been revered
by indigenous Americans, coveted by European collectors, and admired
worldwide for their metallic plumage and immense character. Yet they
exist on a knife-edge, fighting for survival in boreal woodlands,
dripping cloud forests, and subpolar islands. They are, perhaps, the
embodiment of evolution's power to carve a niche for a delicate creature
in even the harshest of places.
Traveling from the cusp of the Arctic Circle to near-Antarctic islands,
acclaimed nature writer Jon Dunn encounters birders, scientists, and
storytellers in his quest to find these beguiling creatures, immersing
us in the world of one of Earth's most charismatic bird families.