How do birds, being in the desert, know that it is raining hundreds of kilometers away? How do they navigate in space using a magnetic sense? A lifelong birder, Tim Birkhead, the author of this book, brings a wealth of field experience, insight, and unique insight into the nature of birds. Tracing the history of the development of our knowledge of birds - from the first experiments of scientists of the 17th and 18th centuries, through Bram's monumental works and scientific discoveries of the early 20th century, to the research of the last fifty years, Tim Burkhead passionately explains how birds interact with each other and with their environment. His book is the first professional account of its kind on the complex relationship between birds' feelings and behavior. “I have tried to summarize what we currently know, and at the same time, what we do not yet know about the feelings of birds. . Our understanding of human sensory systems is evolving by leaps and bounds, and if history is anything to go by—and I'm sure it is—then discoveries about human senses will inevitably enable us to undertake similar research for birds. In addition, history clearly demonstrates that our discoveries related to birds (and other animals) are of enormous importance for people.” (Tim Burkhead)