Birds have been at the heart of human culture since the Neolithic Age and are undoubtedly the life form most captivating to us. Their central place in our affections is well demonstrated by the many millions of people who support  national organisations which make up the BirdLife International partnership.

For many historic societies, from the ancient Greeks and Romans to the Mexican Aztecs, birds were used to depict the nation’s central deities. In Central America, the god Huitzilopochtli was represented as a hummingbird. On ancient Greek and Roman architecture eagle statues are a universal feature, symbolising Zeus or his Roman equivalent, Jupiter. Even today Christian angels are shown with feathered wings, while the holy spirit is frequently depicted as a white dove.

The sense of freedom evoked by birds in flight has been a source of inspiration alike to tribal communities and the world’s major civilisations. Writers, poets, artists and composers have drawn on the qualities of birds for thousands of years.

Today birds often play the role of ambassador in our entire relationship with nature. For environmentalists they are collectively the miner’s canary, their populations helping us to gauge the health of natural environments from the inner-city to the remote Arctic tundra.

Yet our connections with birds far exceed any simple utilitarian value. Very often at a domestic level they are cherished for their own sake, as simple companions, as aesthetic adornments and as expression of some unspoken bond between ourselves and the rest of nature.

The book will explore the origins, history and, above all, the contemporary shape of this relationship between the globally dominant primate, Homo sapiens, and the Earth‘s birds. It will examine why birds have had such a powerful impact upon human cultures and through the many individual stories it will demonstrate how deeply we care for them.

This is a unique form of ornithological book, given that it’s as much about ourselves and our responses to birds, as it is about the creatures themselves. A special characteristic is its inclusion of hundreds, possibly thousands, of written contributions from people right around the world.

Everyone who contributes will be acknowledged. The most revealing eye-witness accounts will also be incorporated so that the book builds into a global chorus of different voices and different cultures on the innumerable connections between humankind and birds. In total it will tell the story of a singular, universal relationship.

You can contribute in a number of ways. Either send your stories by e-mail or by surface post to the project. The addresses are given below. We have also prepared some lists of birds and the associated stories/subjects on which we welcome contributions.

Click here to view the possible subject lists.

They are arranged by region and intended only as a starting point, as examples simply to jog your memory or to suggest similar ideas. They are by no means exhaustive. We welcome stories about other bird species and on completely different subjects which you think should be included. What, for instance, is your favourite bird or favourite birdsong? What role do birds play in shaping your sense of your home area, or the unfolding year and its seasons? You may have had memorable encounters or experiences which reveal the part birds play in our personal, emotional and spiritual lives. You may know of an important book, or story, or a painting, piece of music etc that you think we should include. You may have created one yourself. We want to hear your suggestions.

Send us your stories *

* Please note: The authors may be unable to respond to each and every email individually. If you do not recieve a reply but wish to follow up a contribution, please post in the Forum (see below). Thank You.

There is another way to take part. The Birds and People project has a dedicated forum where the author Mark Cocker gives regular updates on the project and its progress. You can participate directly in a discussion forum with the author or  communicate directly with him or the photographer David Tipling. There are also other threads of discussion and topics where you can add your comments. Parts of these conversations between people around the world will be used in the book under your own name, wherever they illustrate how birds enter our experience and help shape the way we define places, landscapes and even ourselves.

Visit the Birds and People Forum