Birds at Rest

The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep

Roger Pasquier

$62.99

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Princeton University Press
28 May 2025

Animal behaviour; Birds (ornithology); Applied ecology; Wildlife: birds & birdwatching

A wide-ranging account of how birds spend the quiet half of their lives

Birds at Rest is the first book to give a full picture of how birds rest, roost, and sleep, a vital part of their lives. It features new science that can measure what is happening in a bird's brain over the course of a night or when it has flown to another hemisphere, as well as still-valuable observations by legendary naturalists such as John James Audubon, Alfred Russel Wallace, and Theodore Roosevelt. Much of what they saw and what ornithologists are studying today can be observed and enjoyed by any birder.

From the poles to the tropics, how, when, and where birds sleep reflect the ecology and behavior of each species, as well as their evolution from dinosaur ancestors. Some sleep briefly, their brain half awake, others spend long cold nights in torpor, and a few can sleep while flying. Their roosting habits are also varied. Most birds sleep alone, some in pairs or families, while others in flocks of millions. Birds at Rest explains how each strategy works over the course of a season, a year, or a lifetime by providing protection, mating opportunities, information about food, and other survival benefits.

With evocative drawings by artist and illustrator Margaret La Farge, Birds at Rest discusses how environmental challenges such as artificial lights and noise, invasive species, and climate change are disrupting avian sleep and proposes solutions to ensure that birds get the rest they need.

By: Roger Pasquier
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 235mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9780691259963
ISBN 10: 0691259968
Pages: 360
Publication Date: 28 May 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , General/trade , Primary , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Roger F. Pasquier, a lifelong birder, has had a career with BirdLife International, the World Wildlife Fund, the Environmental Defense Fund, and the National Audubon Society. He is currently an associate in the Department of Ornithology at the American Museum of Natural History. His books include Birds in Winter: Surviving the Most Challenging Season (Princeton).

Reviews for Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep

""Birders craving a deep dive will stay up late with this roosting book.""---Ron Charles, Washington Post ""This research is important and worthwhile for a fuller understanding of birds’ lives, their ecological roles, and their particular vulnerabilities as species counts worldwide are declining. . . . A fascinating look at this least-observed avian activity."" * Library Journal * ""Pasquier packs in a bounty of surprising trivia . . . and La Farge’s dreamy black-and-white pencil drawings are an added treat. Birders will be entranced."" * Publishers Weekly * ""New and highly original. . . . [I] have a much deeper appreciation for all that science can tell us about what's happening in a bird's body and brain.""---Marc Bekoff, Psychology Today ""This book is a must-read.""---Ian Paulsen, The Birdbooker Report ""I think it is a pretty safe bet that many birders, even those with years of practice and experience, have wondered little about the period when birds are at rest, and especially asleep. A thorough knowledge of this aspect of avian life can improve your birding success and enhance your enjoyment. Embrace this book with gusto!""---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds ""Pasquier draws from a huge number of reports on the roosting behavior of birds from around the world, so it is likely that you will find entries for your favorite avian species in the index.""---Laurence A. Marschall, Natural History