Avian Architecture: How Birds Design, Engineer, and Build

by Peter Goodfellow

Overview

An illustrated guide to how birds design and build their nests

Birds are the most consistently inventive builders, and their nests set the bar for functional design in nature. Avian Architecture describes how birds design, engineer, and build their nests, deconstructing all types of nests found around the world using architectural blueprints and detailed descriptions of the construction processes and engineering techniques birds use. This spectacularly illustrated book features 300 full-color images and more than 35 case studies that profile key species worldwide. Each chapter covers a different type of nest, from tunnel nests and mound nests to floating nests, hanging nests, woven nests, and even multiple-nest avian cities. Other kinds of avian construction—such as bowers and harvest wells—are also featured.

Avian Architecture includes intricate step-by-step sequences, visual spreads on nest-building materials and methods, and insightful commentary by a leading expert.

• Illustrates how birds around the world design, engineer, and build their nests
• Features architectural blueprints, step-by-step sequences, visual spreads on nest-building materials and methods, and expert commentary
• Includes 300 full-color images
• Covers more than 100 bird species worldwide

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781400838318
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	08/05/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	160
File size:	30 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Peter Goodfellow is a retired English teacher and lifelong birdwatcher. His books include Birds as Builders and A Naturalist's Guide to the Birds of Britain and Northern Europe.

Table of Contents

• FrontMatter, pg. 1
• Contents, pg. 3
• Foreword, pg. 4
• Introduction, pg. 5
• Chapter One. Scrape Nests, pg. 6
• Chapter Two. Holes & Tunnels, pg. 12
• Chapter Three. Platform Nests, pg. 18
• Chapter Four. Aquatic Nests, pg. 24
• Chapter Five. Cup-Shaped Nests, pg. 29
• Chapter Six. Domed Nests, pg. 36
• Chapter Seven. Mud Nests, pg. 43
• Chapter Eight. Hanging, Woven & Stitched Nests, pg. 48
• Chapter Nine. Mound Nests, pg. 55
• Chapter Ten. Colonies & Group Nests, pg. 62
• Chapter Eleven. Courts & Bowers, pg. 67
• Chapter Twelve. Edible Nests & Food Stores, pg. 73
• Resources, pg. 78
• Glossary, pg. 79
• Index, pg. 79
• Author Acknowledgments, pg. 81

Editorial Reviews

I live in a nice clapboard house and work in a gleaming steel-and-glass skyscraper, but after reading Avian Architecture: How Birds Design, Engineer and Build I feel cheated. I'll never get to enjoy the comforts of the nest of a long-tailed tit.
—The New York Times

Henry Fountain

Winner of the 2011 PROSE Award in Popular Science & Popular Mathematics, Association of American Publishers

From the Publisher

"Numerous attractive, inviting diagrams, sidebars, paintings, and sketches supplement the photographs. The minimal text is tied to this rich, illustrative material making the book primarily one for browsing."

Choice

"Avian Architecture offers more than mere knowledge. Through the factual exploration of avian nest building, this book not only informs but also imparts a sense of wonder."

Bloomsbury Review

"In a word, this book is 'magnificent'. Its 160 pages are loaded with the kind of photos and artwork that we've come to expect from Princeton University Press—exceptional. . . . This book delivers 100% of what the title promises—the design, engineering, and building of birds' nests."

eBirdseed.com

"Beautifully illustrated. . . . Avian Architecture is a great book to learn more insight into the world of birds and how they nest."

birdfreak.com

"Avian Architecture is a beautiful book with lots of pictures and illustrations of the many styles of nests birds build. In addition, there are interesting insights into birds around the world."

A Charm of Finches

"A browsable, amply illustrated overview of avian construction from mere scrapes in the sand to edible structures people prize for soup."

Science News

"A must have book if you have ever wondered how birds are able to build such incredible nests. Peter Goodfellow has created a fascinating read combining "blueprint" drawings, with explanations, of each nest type as well as detailed drawings of the techniques and materials used by some specific species of birds."

Birder's Report

[F]ew avian titles have left me spellbound and excited to read cover to cover through the night as Avian Architecture. Everything about this book, layout, color photographs, handsome blueprint illustrations, a fascinating subject that deserves this overdue exposure, and succinct text, proves that this book deserves the recent publication awards. . . . Avian Architecture deserves to be placed in the bookcase next to the best of all avian titles. Ornithologists, naturalists, teachers at all levels of education, yes, even the curious public will be thrilled with the contents of this primary reference.

Pennsylvania Birds - Gene Wilhelm

[T]his is a book that would be appreciated by a large audience of bird aficionados, in a format that is accessible and really enjoyable. The author's interest is contagious and will leave readers inspired to discover and admire bird nests in the wild.

Journal of Field Ornithology - Sabrina S. Taylor

Avian Architecture is a hardcover book, hefty in the hands, glorious throughout, and will add immeasurably to your enjoyment of Maine's great outdoors, especially if you are a birder. Even if you are not, a walk around the back yard will be enhanced by what you learn in this book.

Down East Magazine - George Smith

Peter Goodfellow's recent book, Avian Architecture: How Birds Design, Engineer & Build, captures a lifetime of not just observing birds but the unsung structures they create. Bird nests can be simple or elaborate, as small as a hazelnut . . . or enormous, weighing several tons. They can last a few weeks or a century, and can be isolated or one among a half million of similar nests. Divided into 12 chapters based on types of nests and other avian construction, the book revives Goodfellow's 'schoolboy excitement of "bird nesting"' with case studies from around the world accompanied by intricate line drawings and blueprints, as well as hundreds of photos.

Discover magazine - Meera Subramanian

Exceptional illustrations and photographs help author Peter Goodfellow describe scrapes in the dirt, tunnels, domes, mounds, cups, and other types of nests birds build. The book's jaw-dropping scenes include a hornbill sealed in a nest hole, a colony of densely packed albatrosses, and the many colorful walkways made by bowerbirds.

BirdWatching Magazine - Matt Mendenhall

A really fascinating panorama of one of the wonders of avian life—excellent!

FatBirder - Bo Beolens

Scarcely a page was turned in Avian Architecture that I did not learn something new and incredible. . . . I've been waiting a long while for a book like Avian Architecture. I was not disappointed. It is nothing short of a revelation to discover not only the variety of structures that birds build, but also (especially) how they are constructed.

Birder's Library - Grant McCreary

Packed with loads of information and knowledge on bird nests and the process of nest building.

Words about Birds - Tim Schreckengost

Birds weave and wind, dig and daub, scrape and sculpt some of the most amazing homes in the animal kingdom. Avian Architecture reveals the genius hard-wired into birds' brains. They are, without regard to the variety of their collective techniques, all master builders. . . . It isn't often that we think of a bird book as a real page turner, but Goodfellow's Avian Architecture is just that.

Examiner.com - Brad Sylvester

Goodfellow provides blueprints for each nest type, a list of building materials, and case studies. All are illustrated with photographs and superb artwork, and explained in clear, concise text. Bird nests can be as fascinating as the bird itself. Avian Architecture makes that point clear. . . . I read Avian Architecture cover to cover without putting it down.

Minneapolis Star-Tribune - Jim Williams

The drawings and text allow the author to give the reader a firm understanding of how various nests are made. The coverage goes from simple nests to more complex, sometimes communal nests. . . . The book covers so much more: mound incubators that use the heat of composting material, platform nesters, colonial nesters and others. The text is easy to understand and can be shared with children. This book provides a great entry to the wonder of birds.

Portland Press Herald - Herb Wilson

The illustrations are a rich combination of fine photographs and necessary graphics that can show structural cutaways and design elements no photo can reproduce. From the simple but elegantly hidden scrape nests to the large, unwieldy platform nests of some of our largest birds, this book gives you the how and where of the avian builder's method.

A Towheeblog - Harry Fuller

A well-illustrated introduction into the nest building behavior of birds.

Birdbooker Report - Ian Paulsen

This has got to be one of the coolest bird books I've ever come across. . . . Avian Architecture may unravel some of the mystery behind how birds make their nests, but Peter Goodfellow thoroughly reveals a complexity in nest building that makes birds all the more astounding. . . . Trust me, you're [going to] want this!

Birding Is Fun - Robert Mortenson

[Avian Architecture] is a compelling read. I couldn't put it down. Goodfellow organizes nests into general types: scrapes, holes, platforms, cups, woven nests and so on. He describes each nest type in great detail and illustrates the process with detailed artwork and photos.

West Virginia Gazette - Scott Shalaway

[Goodfellow] sharpens the focus to explore nests only from the perspective of their architecture—their form, function, construction materials, how they are made, and by whom. . . . We love finding nests but rarely pay attention to how they are built. Avian Architecture will magnify your sense of wonder. The book is chockablock full of detail presented in a very accessible way.

Audubon Blog - Wayne Mones

I live in a nice clapboard house and work in a gleaming steel-and-glass skyscraper, but after reading Avian Architecture I feel cheated. I'll never get to enjoy the comforts of the nest of a long-tailed tit.

New York Times - Henry Fountain

Fascinating, beautifully illustrated.

Britannica.com gory McNamee

I always admired and was amazed by the nests, and I had a cursory understanding of their structure, but it took reading Avian Architecture to really bring the engineering to life and deepen my appreciation of the building process. It's a great book to add to your birding library. I love it. Blue prints, photographs and lovely watercolors help you assimilate a lot of information quickly. It won't take long to help you understand another facet of bird life.

and the Peanut blog

[T]his is a book that would be appreciated by a large audience of bird aficionados, in a format that is accessible and really enjoyable. The author's interest is contagious and will leave readers inspired to discover and admire bird nests in the wild.
— Sabrina S. Taylor

Journal of Field Ornithology

Avian Architecture is a hardcover book, hefty in the hands, glorious throughout, and will add immeasurably to your enjoyment of Maine's great outdoors, especially if you are a birder. Even if you are not, a walk around the back yard will be enhanced by what you learn in this book.
— George Smith

Down East Magazine

Peter Goodfellow's recent book, Avian Architecture: How Birds Design, Engineer & Build, captures a lifetime of not just observing birds but the unsung structures they create. Bird nests can be simple or elaborate, as small as a hazelnut . . . or enormous, weighing several tons. They can last a few weeks or a century, and can be isolated or one among a half million of similar nests. Divided into 12 chapters based on types of nests and other avian construction, the book revives Goodfellow's 'schoolboy excitement of "bird nesting"' with case studies from around the world accompanied by intricate line drawings and blueprints, as well as hundreds of photos.
— Meera Subramanian

Discover Magazine

Exceptional illustrations and photographs help author Peter Goodfellow describe scrapes in the dirt, tunnels, domes, mounds, cups, and other types of nests birds build. The book's jaw-dropping scenes include a hornbill sealed in a nest hole, a colony of densely packed albatrosses, and the many colorful walkways made by bowerbirds.
— Matt Mendenhall

BirdWatching Magazine

A really fascinating panorama of one of the wonders of avian life—excellent!
— Bo Beolens

FatBirder

Scarcely a page was turned in Avian Architecture that I did not learn something new and incredible. . . . I've been waiting a long while for a book like Avian Architecture. I was not disappointed. It is nothing short of a revelation to discover not only the variety of structures that birds build, but also (especially) how they are constructed.
— Grant McCreary

Birder's Library

Packed with loads of information and knowledge on bird nests and the process of nest building.
— Tim Schreckengost

Words about Birds

Birds weave and wind, dig and daub, scrape and sculpt some of the most amazing homes in the animal kingdom. Avian Architecture reveals the genius hard-wired into birds' brains. They are, without regard to the variety of their collective techniques, all master builders. . . . It isn't often that we think of a bird book as a real page turner, but Goodfellow's Avian Architecture is just that.
— Brad Sylvester

Examiner.com

Goodfellow provides blueprints for each nest type, a list of building materials, and case studies. All are illustrated with photographs and superb artwork, and explained in clear, concise text. Bird nests can be as fascinating as the bird itself. Avian Architecture makes that point clear. . . . I read Avian Architecture cover to cover without putting it down.
— Jim Williams

Minneapolis Star-Tribune

The drawings and text allow the author to give the reader a firm understanding of how various nests are made. The coverage goes from simple nests to more complex, sometimes communal nests. . . . The book covers so much more: mound incubators that use the heat of composting material, platform nesters, colonial nesters and others. The text is easy to understand and can be shared with children. This book provides a great entry to the wonder of birds.
— Herb Wilson

Portland Press Herald

The illustrations are a rich combination of fine photographs and necessary graphics that can show structural cutaways and design elements no photo can reproduce. From the simple but elegantly hidden scrape nests to the large, unwieldy platform nests of some of our largest birds, this book gives you the how and where of the avian builder's method.
— Harry Fuller

A Towheeblog

A well-illustrated introduction into the nest building behavior of birds.
— Ian Paulsen

Birdbooker Report

This has got to be one of the coolest bird books I've ever come across. . . . Avian Architecture may unravel some of the mystery behind how birds make their nests, but Peter Goodfellow thoroughly reveals a complexity in nest building that makes birds all the more astounding. . . . Trust me, you're [going to] want this!
— Robert Mortenson

Birding Is Fun

[Avian Architecture] is a compelling read. I couldn't put it down. Goodfellow organizes nests into general types: scrapes, holes, platforms, cups, woven nests and so on. He describes each nest type in great detail and illustrates the process with detailed artwork and photos.
— Scott Shalaway

West Virginia Gazette

[Goodfellow] sharpens the focus to explore nests only from the perspective of their architecture—their form, function, construction materials, how they are made, and by whom. . . . We love finding nests but rarely pay attention to how they are built. Avian Architecture will magnify your sense of wonder. The book is chockablock full of detail presented in a very accessible way.
— Wayne Mones

Audubon.org

Goodfellow explores nest types and their design and construction. The text is excellent and the book is richly illustrated with drawings, photographs, and a selection of architectural blueprints for many nests.
— Wayne Mones

Audubon Blog

I live in a nice clapboard house and work in a gleaming steel-and-glass skyscraper, but after reading Avian Architecture I feel cheated. I'll never get to enjoy the comforts of the nest of a long-tailed tit.
— Henry Fountain

New York Times

Goodfellow provides blueprints for each nest type, a list of building materials, and case studies. All are illustrated with photographs and superb artwork, and explained in clear, concise text. Bird nests can be as fascinating as the bird itself. Avian Architecture makes that point clear. . . . I read Avian Architecture cover to cover without putting it down.
— Jim Williams

Minneapolis Star Tribune

Peter Goodfellow's recent book, Avian Architecture: How Birds Design, Engineer & Build, captures a lifetime of not just observing birds but the unsung structures they create. Bird nests can be simple or elaborate, as small as a hazelnut . . . or enormous, weighing several tons. They can last a few weeks or a century, and can be isolated or one among a half million of similar nests. Divided into 12 chapters based on types of nests and other avian construction, the book revives Goodfellow's 'schoolboy excitement of "bird nesting"' with case studies from around the world accompanied by intricate line drawings and blueprints, as well as hundreds of photos.
— Meera Subramanian

Discover magazine

As is clear from this book's format—an 8" × 10" hardcover, albeit slim at 160 pages—this is not a field guide for systematically identifying birds' nests. It's a sit-down-and-be-enchanted-by-the-skills-of-our-feathered-friends kind of book. The British Goodfellow is a longtime birder and former teacher who knows how to convey his deep expertise accessibly to his readers. Dividing his subject by 11 types of nests, plus a chapter on bowers, he starts each unit with an introduction to the why and how of the particular nest type, then he offers two pages of "blueprints" showing details of construction and dimension. Next, in one- and two-page "case studies," he presents examples of birds who build that type of structure. There are lovely color photos and illustrations throughout. (Coral Mula gets illustrator credit if you look hard.) The birds covered (there are 35 case studies but more than 100 species discussed) are from all around the world, e.g., a yellow-rumped cacique who weaves its nests in Brazil, a bald eagle's platform aerie in Florida. VERDICT The book will charm any interested reader and will win birds more devotion with every viewing. Highly recommended.—Margaret Heilbrun, Library Journal

Library Journal