There are many species of birdwatcher, and they are all catered to in this unique book. From the serious (why vultures are dying out in Asia) to the bizarre (the parrot that can read minds); the informative (why waxwings have waxy wings) to the completely ridiculous (avian footballing); The Birdwatcher’s Pocket Companion takes the reader through a veritable aviary of notes, quotes, facts, and stats. But this book doesn’t just contain fascinating snippets of information, it also offers extracts from the finest writing about birds over the centuries—Gilbert White shares space with Chaucer, while Flora Thompson nestles up to D. H. Lawrence.