A measure of the great interest in birdlife is that, in the UK alone, membership of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is over 850,000, and has doubled every three years since the 1960s. This fascination is due largely to the enormous variety of birds throughout the world. They live in conditions as different as the Antarctic and the hottest deserts, and can fly at the same altitude as jumbo jets or dive to astonishing depths. Their navigational powers are a mystery that is only beginning to be understood, as are the complexities of their song. Equally remarkable are the nest-building skills of some species, and the tool-using aptitude of others. Some even show signs of being able to count. Drawing on worldwide research, this book presents a survey of how birds manage their lives, from the familiar species of street and garden to the most exotic and colourful. The author is a producer of wildlife programmes for radio and television. His other books include "Animal Language", "The Living World" and "The Dolittle Obsession".