Why Do Birds Sing?

Grainne Cleary

$34.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Allen & Unwin
02 September 2025

Mathematics & Sciences; Birds (ornithology); Wildlife: birds & birdwatching

While the question 'why do birds sing?' might seem a simple one, the answer is complex!

Throughout our history birdsong has influenced art, poetry and music. It can elevate our mood and bring our backyards to life. We often hear birds singing as we go about our lives, but have you ever wondered who they are singing to and what they are singing about?

The term 'bird brain' has led us to underestimate the brainpower it takes to hear a song, remember it and practise until it is reproduced correctly. In the same way human infants learn to talk, young birds learn their song by listening and remembering the sounds produced by their parents. Not only that, birds use different songs and calls, and different pitch, tone and volume, depending on who they're communicating with and what they want to say-much like the way we vary our speech.

Why Do Birds Sing? provides an insight into the world of bird communication that will surprise and delight you. It's an absorbing and informative book filled with answers to many of the common and often uncommon questions we ask about birdsong.

After reading this book you will never listen to a bird song in the same way!

'This book is a bible for bird lovers. And if you're not a bird lover ... you will be after reading this!' Ben Fordham

'This book will forever change the way you listen to birdsong. Listening to the morning chorus will never be the same again.' Chris Bath

By: Grainne Cleary
Imprint: Allen & Unwin
Country of Publication: Australia
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 153mm,
ISBN: 9781761472329
ISBN 10: 1761472321
Pages: 336
Publication Date: 02 September 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Gráinne was born with a passion and a curiosity for the natural world. In 2008 after graduating with a PhD from Trinity College Dublin, Gráinne moved to Australia where she immediately fell in love with the wildlife. Throughout her career, Gráinne has worked in universities and conservation bodies in both Europe and Australia. Her research is focused on engaging with the public through citizen science to gain the best outcomes for urban birds. Gráinne is a frequent contributor on both national and regional radio where she discusses bird-related news. She is also a regular on the Channel Seven morning show Sunrise. Gráinne believes our behaviour can have a huge influence on urban birds and how they can use our gardens as a refuge in otherwise inhospitable environment. Following the release of her bestselling book Why Do Birds Do That? Gráinne was inspired to write Why Do Birds Sing? due to the public fascination with this question.