10 Books For Bird Lovers
Every bird that comes through our doors has a story. The fledgling blue jay found on a doorstep in Camden. The great horned owl struck by a car on Route 1. The tiny hummingbird that flew into a picture window and needed a quiet place to recover.
We spend our days writing those stories — one rescue, one recovery, one release at a time. But we're not the only ones telling stories about birds. Some of the most beautiful, surprising, and important books ever written are about the feathered creatures we're lucky enough to care for.
Whether you're a lifelong birder or someone who simply loves a good read, here are ten books our team thinks everyone should have on their shelf.
1. H Is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald Part memoir, part nature writing, part meditation on grief — Macdonald's account of training a goshawk after her father's death is one of the most powerful books about the bond between humans and birds ever written. We see that bond every day at Avian Haven.
2. The Genius of Birds by Jennifer Ackerman If you've ever wondered what's going on behind those bright, watchful eyes, this is your book. Ackerman reveals the remarkable intelligence of birds, from tool use to navigation to social learning. It will change the way you think about every chickadee at your feeder.
3. Why Birds Sing by David Rothenberg Part science, part philosophy, part musical adventure — Rothenberg explores the mystery of birdsong by playing his clarinet alongside birds in the wild. It's a joyful reminder that birds aren't just surviving, they're creating beauty. At Avian Haven, we never tire of hearing our recovering patients find their voices again.
4. The Bird Way by Jennifer Ackerman Ackerman's follow-up explores how birds communicate, play, deceive, and create — revealing lives far richer and more complex than we ever imagined. A perfect companion to The Genius of Birds.
5. Feathers: The Evolution of a Natural Miracle by Thor Hanson A single feather is an engineering marvel. Hanson traces the science, history, and cultural significance of feathers with infectious curiosity. You'll never look at a molted feather on the ground the same way.
6. The Messenger by Maryanne O'Hara This novel follows a woman navigating personal upheaval who finds solace and purpose through an encounter with an injured bird. Fiction that captures something true about how caring for vulnerable creatures can heal us, too — a feeling our volunteers know well.
7. Mozart's Starling by Lyanda Lynn Haupt Haupt adopted a starling to understand Mozart's famous pet bird, and what unfolds is a funny, fascinating, deeply affectionate portrait of one of our most misunderstood species. At Avian Haven, we believe every species deserves a champion.
8. The Seabird's Cry by Adam Nicolson A love letter to seabirds — puffins, albatrosses, shearwaters, and more — and a warning about their uncertain future. Nicolson blends science with gorgeous prose. Essential reading for anyone who loves Maine's coast and the birds that depend on it.
9. The Gifts of the Crow by John Marzluff and Tony Angell A fascinating deep dive into the emotional and intellectual lives of crows — from their ability to recognize human faces to their playful, mischievous problem-solving. Marzluff and Angell make a compelling case that crows are among the most remarkable creatures we share our world with. It's the kind of book that makes you pay closer attention to every bird you see.
10. What It's Like to Be a Bird by David Allen Sibley From the legendary field guide author, this illustrated book answers every question you've ever had about bird behavior and biology. It belongs on every coffee table and in every classroom. A perfect gift for the bird lover in your life.
Every story in these pages reminds us why birds matter — to our ecosystems, to our communities, and to the quiet, hopeful part of ourselves that needs wild things in the world.
At Avian Haven, we're privileged to write our own bird stories every day. We care for more than 3,000 birds every year, nursing them back to health and returning them to Maine's skies.
But we can't do it without you.
Your gift today helps us provide the medical care, nourishment, and safe shelter that give injured and orphaned birds a second chance at the life they were meant to live.
Every dollar makes a difference. Every bird matters.
