The Courage of Birds: And the Often Surprising Ways They Survive Winter

"Engaging . . . Filled with full-page black-and-white illustrations by David Allen Sibley, [it] explores the remarkable ways birds manage to evade or endure the deadly cold of winter. (Dunne includes helpful advice about birdfeeders and bird-friendly plantings.)" —Ron Charles, The Washington Post “Kudos to Pete Dunne for a fresh take on the hardy birds that brave the cold. The Courage of Birds is packed with fascinating stories and tidbits. For best results, savor this book by a cozy fire with a hot cocoa.” —Noah Strycker, associate editor, Birding magazine; author of Birding Without Borders “Pete Dunne’s keen and vivid prose, paired with David Allen Sibley’s graceful illustrations, transforms our relationship with birds in winter. Every page offers a dazzling feat of survival. Deftly weaving behaviors with a lifetime of personal stories, the legendary author inspires us to give back to birds that brighten our lives. This book will become a well-worn companion with a special place on my desk overlooking feeders and native plants.” —Marina Richie, author of Halcyon Journey, winner of the 2024 John Burroughs Medal for distinguished nature writing “There is no better team in the world of birds than Dunne and Sibley, and The Courage of Birds showcases both their strengths—Pete Dunne’s witty, insightful writing and David Allen Sibley’s gorgeously evocative art—which together bring alive the winter world of birds. It’s wonder and wisdom in equal parts.” —Scott Weidensaul, author of A World on the Wing  “Pete Dunne writes about birds as deeply respected colleagues, fellow travelers. Famously enamored of raptors, he neglects not the quail, the robin, nor the chickadee, his sense of wonder at their adaptations and capabilities fully intact. The Courage of Birds is biologically informed and rich with anecdote, like a good day in the field with this dean of American birders. David Allen Sibley’s lovely reductionist paintings are all about form and light, unburdened by detail. It’s a fine pairing.” —Julie Zickefoose, author and illustrator of Saving Jemima, Baby Birds, The Bluebird Effect, and Letters from Eden “Birds in winter don’t merely survive, they flourish! In The Courage of Birds, Pete Dunne challenges us to reimagine the colder months as a season of delight and discovery for anybody who loves to watch and wonder about birds.” —Ted Floyd, editor, American Birding Association’s Birding magazine