Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
A Sky Full of Birds summary
Matt Merritt
In Search of Murders, Murmurations and Britain’s Great Bird Gatherings
17 mins
Brief summary
A Sky Full of Birds by Matt Merritt is a celebration of birds and their natural habitats, with observations and insights into bird behavior and ecology. It encourages nature appreciation and understanding to inspire bird conservation efforts.
Topics
Table of Contents
A Sky Full of Birds
Summary of 7 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 7
Dancing, strutting and fighting are just some of the ways British birds lure female mates.
Birds, much like we humans, need a solid strategy to woo the mate they want. From dancers to strutters, birds are veritable flirting experts. Let’s take a closer look at the things that the great-crested grebe, the capercaillie and the black grouse do in the name of love.
Unlike some other species such as crows who seek out lifetime partners, the great- crested grebe finds a new lover yearly. And, while other female birds select their mate based on gaudy feathers or long tails, the female great-crested grebe is after a mate that knows how to move it; the most desirable males are those that dance the most elegantly.
This behavior is rather unusual, even for the bird world. Great-crested grebes will pirouette and paddle rapidly toward one another until they’re just about to crash before rising sharply, breast to breast, in a pas de deux.
Unlike the great-crested grebe, capercaillies are more fond of strutting. These birds are rarely seen, having become officially extinct in Britain in 1785; they have been reintroduced at various stages since 1837.
These days, the capercaillie is found in Scottish pineland, and looks like a rather handsome turkey or a larger black grouse. To find a mate, capercaillies will make the most of their good looks and strut about in forest clearings known as leks.
The black grouse also returns to leks for the mating season. Every November, males gather in the forest, awaiting the arrival of their females. They’re loyal to them, too. After all, it can sometimes take up to two months before the females finally arrive! To gain their attention, the male black grouse will pace around and emit a bizarre call while fanning out his tail.
Fights between males often break out, with the winners garnering considerable admiration from females. Interestingly, the act of mating also attracts females, who’ll often rush over to a male who’s just finished intercourse with another grouse.
Want to see all full key ideas from A Sky Full of Birds?
Key ideas in A Sky Full of Birds
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is A Sky Full of Birds about?
A Sky Full of Birds (2016) is a celebration of birdlife in Britain. These blinks offer fascinating insights into mating rituals and migration patterns and explain the cultural significance of murmurations, murders, swan songs, and more.
A Sky Full of Birds Review
A Sky Full of Birds (2016) is a captivating exploration of the world of birds that will appeal to nature enthusiasts and bird lovers alike. Here are three reasons why this book is definitely worth reading:
- With its fascinating insights into the behavior and habits of various bird species, the book offers a unique window into the avian world.
- Through vivid descriptions and personal anecdotes, the author brings the beauty and wonder of birds to life, making the book an engaging read.
- Packed with interesting facts and lesser-known information about birds, the book offers a refreshing perspective on these fascinating creatures, ensuring that boredom is never an option.
Best quote from A Sky Full of Birds
Much of birdwatching is actually bird-listening.
—Matt Merritt
Who should read A Sky Full of Birds?
- British birdwatchers keen to know more about their local wildlife
- Avian enthusiasts interested in what the United Kingdom has to offer
- Readers curious about the role of birds in British culture
Categories with A Sky Full of Birds
Book summaries like A Sky Full of Birds
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
37 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
A Sky Full of Birds FAQs
What is the main message of A Sky Full of Birds?
A Sky Full of Birds explores the wonders of birdwatching and inspires a deeper connection with nature.
How long does it take to read A Sky Full of Birds?
The reading time for A Sky Full of Birds varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in a matter of minutes.
Is A Sky Full of Birds a good book? Is it worth reading?
A Sky Full of Birds offers an insightful perspective on birdwatching and nature, making it a worthwhile read for nature enthusiasts and curious minds.
Who is the author of A Sky Full of Birds?
The author of A Sky Full of Birds is Matt Merritt.
What to read after A Sky Full of Birds?
If you're wondering what to read next after A Sky Full of Birds, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Brain Food by Lisa Mosconi
- Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
- The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius
- Moore’s Law by Arnold Thackray
- The Art of Persuasion by Bob Burg
- Wired for Love by Stan Tatkin
- Of Grammatology by Jacques Derrida
- Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer
- Tiny Humans, Big Emotions by Alyssa Gloria Campbell & Lauren Stauble
- Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver