Ravens in Winter

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Summary: Bernd Heinrich teaches us how to study animal behavior
Review: Mr. Heinrich has hit on a truth: when studying the behavior of animals you must remain mentally flexible, keep an open mind and open senses, and keep your eye on the big picture--all while preventing yourself from either trying to make the organism either too human or too robotic. He has developed an amazing capacity, rare among scientists, to do all these things while balancing them with the need for a scientific approach, and that skill has led him to exciting results. While his approach may seem frustratingly scattershot to those who practice or admire "pure" sciences like mathematics, it is revealed in this book as the only method that can provide rapid (within a human lifetime), ground-breaking results in the complex and chaotic world of behavioral research. Heinrich has revealed ravens as neither humans wearing feathers nor as creatures of knee-jerk instinct, but rather as fascinating and intelligent members of our living planet. I am in as much awe of his ability to penetrate to the reasons behind behaviors as I am of his endurance, strength, persistence, and love of nature. I'm going to have to read his book on bumblebees next--and in fact, every one of his books!



Rating:
Summary: very good book
Review: Some years ago a copy of this book came my way and opened a new door for me which has turned into a flaming interest in the Corvids. Such vivid word pictures, such exciting findings resulting from Heinrich's research. If you love birds, this book is a must!

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Summary: Ignited my lust for knowledge about Ravens & other birds.
Review: Some years ago a copy of this book came my way and opened a new door for me which has turned into a flaming interest in the Corvids. Such vivid word pictures, such exciting findings resulting from Heinrich's research. If you love birds, this book is a must!

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Summary: The hunter/trapper from Alaska pegged this fellow! (pg. 91)
Review: This book disappointed me. I too am an observer of ravens and was highly offended by his pressumptions and assumptions on all levels. He needs a bit more humility and needs to obtain some perspective so that he can learn from his own findings and learnings.He needs to let go of the jargon so that he can truly add to wholistic understandings of these amazing birds! Scientific study and jargon are not the same. All of us need never forget that one does NOT need an advanced degree to understand and learn from the world around us.