Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep

Birds at Rest is the first book to provide a comprehensive view of how birds rest, perch, and sleep—a vital part of their lives. It presents new scientific research capable of measuring what happens in a bird's brain at night or when it flies to another hemisphere, as well as valuable observations from legendary naturalists such as John James Audubon, Alfred Russel Wallace, and Theodore Roosevelt. Much of what they observed and what ornithologists study today can be observed and enjoyed by any bird enthusiast.

From the poles to the tropics, the form, timing, and place where birds sleep reflect the ecology and behavior of each species, as well as their evolution from dinosaur ancestors. Some sleep briefly with half their brain awake, others spend long cold nights in torpor, and some can even sleep while flying. Their resting habits are also varied: most sleep alone, some in pairs or families, while others in flocks of millions. Birds at Rest explains how each strategy works over a season, a year, or a lifetime, offering protection, mating opportunities, food information, and other survival benefits.

Highlighted Features:

• Explores the rest and sleep habits of birds across different ecosystems.
• Includes scientific research and observations from historical naturalists.
• Analyzes how evolution has shaped birds' sleep strategies.
• Discusses the effects of light pollution, noise, and climate change on birds' rest.
• Evocative illustrations by artist Margaret La Farge.