If you love birds and they are an important part of your daily experience then read on. This website and blog are dedicated to an exciting and important new book project . Birds and People is a radically different book about birds, exploring not just their natural history, but their cultural significance to human societies.
Birds and People is a unique kind of book because it solicits contributions from anyone. So far over 200 people from 35 countries around the world have submitted stories and reflections. On its completion Birds and People will be a major record on the innumerable connections between humankind and birds. In total it will tell the story of a singular and universal relationship.
Meet The Team
Birds and People is a collaboration between British author Mark Cocker and acclaimed wildlife photographer David Tipling. They are supported by the eminent author and research fellow Jonathan Elphick.
 More
Get Involved with Birds and People
Book
This is a unique form of ornithological work, because it is as much about ourselves and our responses to birds, as it is about the birds themselves. A special characteristic is its inclusion of hundreds, hopefully thousands, of written contributions from people right around the world. Anyone can contribute. So be a part of Birds and People.
How You Can Contribute to Birds and People
You can contribute in three ways:
· Send your stories by e-mail
· Send you stories by surface post to the project at: Birds and People, C/o Random House, 20 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 2SA, UK
· Join the Blog |
The authors' blog gives anyone a chance to catch up on progress with the Birds and People book and also an opportunity to contribute to it. Mark Cocker and photographer David Tipling give regular updates on the species and subjects they are covering at the moment. The blog is the way for anyone to participate and to make contributions on the current themes.
We suggest an upper blog limit of 300 words. Don’t forget to add your name, town or district, and country. All contributions that appear in print will be acknowledged individually. Here are examples of some wonderful contributions already incorporated into the text of the book.
What is a Contribution to Birds and People?
In short anything that illuminates our wider relationship with birds. Most contributions are less than 300 words. They can be humorous, personal, technical or informal. They can describe how birds help define our sense of place, season and even ourselves. Your story may describe a personal favourite. It may describe how a song gives meaning to a place or a part of your life. It may be a piece of folklore or surviving belief. Many communities still fear owls or the cries of owls. In Central American children still hunt hummingbirds with catapults believing that to eat their hearts will make them brave and improve sight. At Christmas friends and family tug the turkey’s wishbone, hoping their wishes will come true. Birds are part of our language, giving us place names as well as sayings.
More
See Some Stories
Read some of the most recent contributions to be used in the book
More |
Here is a sister volume.
Read More |
