The Genius of Birds

Birds are often maligned for having a primitive bird brain. However, there is a lot of smartness in the animals. Some show tool use and learning. Others show communication. While others still may act kind of dumb. The book provides a general overview of the smartness of birds, with many examples. The work still seems to be in its infancy with much of the research based on examples. However, it is clear that birds have some intelligence, though it is often different from what we are used to.

Mozart's Starling

What is a Starling? They appear to be a bird that is native to Europe that was imported to North America, only to reproduce excessively. They are seen more often as a pest, and can freely "disposed of". However, they reproduce so rapidly, that event hunting them will not significantly impact the population. However, they also have musical ability, and can attempt to mimic human sounds. Mozart had heard one that appeared to be singing one of his to-be-published compositions. He decided he had to have it, and adopted it as a member of his family, even giving it a complete funeral when it passed away.
Mozart's Starling is part history of starlings and part history of the life of Mozart. The author had adopted a starling, and watched it grow. She also studied the history of Mozart and his playful personality. The two seemed to go together well. Mozart had fun with his craft and could be a jokester. The starling may have been a great companion. Mozart's former apartment building remains a housing block in Vienna today. (Though other areas in his life have been paved over.) The book provides an interesting history of Mozart's life. Though it is by no means exhaustive. (The focus is, after all, on the relationship with the bird.)