This is a lovely and engaging review of the symbolism of birds around the world (it touches on a few countries on most continents, so this applies), with charming pictures by the author/illustrator. It was interesting to read about how the booby got its name, the Aboriginal Dreamtime tale of how the cassowary got its casque, egrets in Maori culture, cranes in Japanese mythology, and more. Did you know hornbills have their own festival in Nagaland? Or that nightjars were believed to suck goats’ milk at night? Or that there’s a peacock angel in the Yazidi religion?

So, this is a book bird lovers and those who enjoy stories will love; but it’s also a great reference book for storytellers. Recommended.

Many thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for early access.

A delightfully informative read served with gorgeous illustrations. Perfect for not just fans of bird-watching, but for those of us who appreciate the birds of the world in quieter ways.

I feel like I should first admit my bias: I own chickens as pets. I LOVE my chickens as pets. If this book hadn't had an entry about chickens (the rooster) I maybe would have dnf'd it (it did, so I'm definitely going to be ordering a copy for my sisters). So I'm a fan of not just the majestic birds like hawks, or the songbirds that fill the air with melodies; but also the birds that are...normal. Or even looked down on a bit. And this book contained those as well, which was fantastic.

This is a nonfiction book highlighting different species of birds and the traits (sometimes good, sometimes bad, and other times neutral) most associated with them. An artwork of the bird is included as well, which for me was extremely helpful on some of the names I didn't immediately recognize. The descriptions of the birds was short--a couple paragraphs at most--but what I especially enjoyed was that they weren't simply from western folklore. From the unassuming sparrow to the regal golden pheasant, birds are as diverse as they are widespread. And I very much appreciated this book showcasing that.

But while this book is educational, it is not a deep study of birds. The descriptions are short, the artworks are the feature, and this is a more casual read. A perfect book to share with a fellow bird-enthusiast, or even to go through with a child to show them all the different types of birds, and a perfect re-read on a lazy evening. But I feel anyone expecting to come away from reading this will in-depth knowledge of birds will be disappointed. As will those not already interested in birds--even if that interest is light.

I would absolutely recommend this book if asked, however, and as mentioned above will be purchasing copies to gift to my own family. So star-rating I will give this a 5/5.

This is an absolutely gorgeously illustrated and endlessly interesting book. This is something that my animal-obsessed 9-year-old self would have been ecstatic to find in my library. I loved to flip through nonfiction books about different animals and learn all about their lives and history. This fits the bill exactly and is packed with interesting lore about each bird species. Will definitely be looking to add a hardcover copy to my collection shelf soon!

This book is cute and has cultural or spiritual or even folklorish characteristics of many bird species. I thought the historical aspect of how certain birds got their symbolism. The illustrations lend a nice touch to each bird, and the representations seemed true to life. The coloration was also good and reflected the natural coloring in birds' plumage. I recommend this book as a resource for those interested in learning about different birds in different cultures around the world.

Strange admission, I hate birds. Or more accurately, I am terrified of birds. I enjoy them from a distance but I hate when they get near me. I know this is a strange book for me to read but I am trying to work past my aversion.

This book is beautiful. The illustrations took my breath away. The writing is informational, yet often lyrical and full of fantasy.

I am not sure this is a book that I want to add to my personal collection and it is too old for my students but I will seek out the other works by this illustrator!

Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing and Net Galley for the eARC!

Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy of Ornithography by Jessica Roux in exchange for an honest review. What a beautiful book this is. I loved the drawings of each bird and the mythology behind each. This is a book that would be great in school.

Ornithography is such a beautiful book! The gorgeous artwork is similar to that in the Woodland Wardens cards. Before I started reading, I flipped through just to admire the drawings! Each bird gets its own page with the common and scientific names, the meaning behind the bird, and some really fun lore, along with a beautiful illustration on the opposite page.

I loved learning about the different birds and their stories. As a bird lover, I found it super enjoyable!

I bought the Floriography book a couple of years ago and I absolutely love it. When I saw that this was on here I was so happy, and it was available to already read and look at! I love this and plan on buying it. The artwork is absolutely beautiful. I hope to buy the tarot deck, as well. I think this is my most tabbed book on my Netgalley app, as well. Thank you so much to Jessica Roux, Netgalley, and the publishers for letting me look at this beautiful book!!!

I absolutely adore Jessica Roux' stunning illustrations and this book does not disappoint. The book contains stunning images of over 100 birds from all over the world with their meanings and lore from their country of origin. I certainly will be buying a physical.copy of this book to treasure.

This book is so beautiful! Before even getting into the text portion of the book I have to say that the drawings that go along with each bird in the book are amazing. They are so beautiful drawn, just like the cover! I had to flip through and enjoy looking at this before I dived into the book itself.

For each bird in the book the author tells us the common name, scientific name, meaning of the bird as well as the lore behind that bird. Each is displayed on it's own page with a beautiful picture to accompany it. I thought it was really fun to read the lore about the different bird.

Mine is a digital addition of the book but as a printed book this would be one I would keep out and display for company to look through. It is laid out so nicely with two pages for each bird, one with the information on it and the other with the illustration. I am a bird love and thoroughly loved this book!

Being a plant and animal enthusiast as well as an artist myself, Jessica Roux’s books are a clear winner.
The artistry is beautiful and they’re easy reads. I last read Floriography and this was a great follow up on the beauty and intrigue of birds.

This is a beautiful book - definitely one that would be lovely in a print copy. Not only are the illustrations gorgeous, but the descriptions of each bird contain so many interesting factoids and references from global mythology. This book would be excellent not only for bird lovers, but also for writers, artists, and poets looking for inspiration or a resource to held use birds as symbols in their creative work.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book. My review is honest and my own opinion.

What a beautiful book! I loved the previous book about flowers so I knew I had to check this out and it didn't disappoint. I was so interested in learning about all of the different birds and this was really informative. The illustrations as usual are stunning

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

In Ornithography: An Illustrated Guide to Bird Lore & Symbolism, Jessica Roux invites readers into a world where art and nature intertwine seamlessly. This beautifully crafted book is a treasure trove for bird enthusiasts and lovers of folklore.

Roux’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in each of the 100 entries, where she explores the lore and symbolism associated with various bird species. Each entry is accompanied by a full-page color illustration, rendered in her signature darkly romantic style. 

What sets Ornithography apart is its ability to blend scientific facts with mythological tales. Roux delves into the cultural significance of each bird, offering insights into how different societies have perceived and revered these creatures throughout history. 

The narrative is informative and poetic, making it accessible to a wide audience. Whether you are a seasoned ornithologist or a casual reader, Roux’s engaging storytelling will captivate your imagination. 

In Ornithography is a celebration of avian beauty with the rich tapestry of stories that surround these fascinating creatures. Jessica Roux has created a work that is educational and enchanting, making it a must-have for anyone interested in the intersection of art, nature, and mythology.

This is a lavish edition combining beautiful illustrations and short descriptions of the meaning associated with a bird species/genus/family in various human cultures. It is important to note that the focus is not on the birds themselves but on the stories that humans have told each other about birds for ages. Cultural sources are primarily European and North American (the latter includes both Native American traditional cultures and contemporary pop culture), but with a great deal of incursions into other parts of the worlds, primarily Aboriginal Australian lore, with a smattering of East Asian and Central and South American. Is the idea behind that to cover the species most likely to be recognizable by the English-speaking readership (North America, Europe, Australia)? Then, sometimes when a spread is dedicated to a clade inhabiting both "Old World" and "New World," the lore is often from Old World cultures (European or Asian) while the illustration shows an American species from the clade. (Which made me think that texts and illustrations were by different people, working in an uncoordinated manner, but no, it seems like Jessica Roux is the author of both.) Just saying, the skew is there.

I read it though, spread-by-spread, but perhaps it is not even meant to be read like that. It's an epitome of a coffeetable book - a beautiful edition that doesn't tell one overarching story that requires a substantial span of attention. Instead, it is possible to open it on a random page, look at the beautiful picture and learn a little something about the strange allegories people have associated with the fellow inhabitants of the Planet Earth.

I received a free eARC of this book from NetGalley, which I am grateful for; the opinion above is fully my own.

My introduction to bird lore was watching cartoon storks deliver baby after baby but never stopping by my house to deliver the sister I’d been hoping for.

My next bird related memory is slightly less hopeful: the albatross in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. The albatross is “associated with heavy, inescapable burdens - especially those of a psychological nature.” At the time I couldn’t believe someone could write such a long poem and, if I’m being honest, it freaked me out but it was my beloved Nan who introduced me to this poem so it quickly became a favourite.

It wasn’t until I read this book that I thought about how integral birds are to our folklore, mythology and history. We know the story of the ugly duckling and we want to be as happy as a lark. Birds feature in religious texts and literature. They warn us of danger, inspire us and feature in tales of morality.

There were many connections I’ve never made before. One that stood out to me was Peter denying Jesus in the lead up to His crucifixion and weathercocks.

“In the ninth century, Pope Nicholas I decreed that a rooster be placed atop every church in Europe as a reminder of this betrayal. Because weather vanes were already present on many church steeples, roosters were added to the devices, creating the now ubiquitous "weathercock." The oldest surviving weathercock, the Gallo di Ramperto, was installed around the year 820 atop the bell tower of a church in Brescia, Italy.”

My favourite entry was the Māori legend relating to the kiwi, which I had heard before but appreciated more with this reading.

“Tāne Mahuta, the father of the forest, discovered that insects were eating his trees and making them ill. He called upon his brother, Tāne Hokahoka, the god of the birds, for help. Together, they asked if a bird would come down from the sky and live on the forest floor to eat the destructive insects. Only the brave kiwi agreed. Although he knew this meant he would never fly again, he chose to protect the forest.”

With a focus on America and Europe, most of the birds I’ve come across weren’t included. There were even some birds I’d never heard of before. That didn’t make the book any less entertaining, although I’m keen to learn the stories behind the birds I know.

The cover image, which is what initially drew me to the book, is indicative of the illustrations you’ll find accompanying the information about the one hundred birds you’ll meet within its pages. I particularly liked the details that line up with the lore of that bird, for example, the skull pictured with the owl.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

Beautifully illustrated. A perfect book for bird watchers or bird lovers. My daughter and I love reading the excerpt on birds we see at our feeder.

Book Review: Ornithography: An Illustrated Guide to Bird Lore & Symbolism by Jessica Roux

Rating: 4 Stars

As a nature enthusiast and casual birdwatcher, I recently dove into Jessica Roux's Ornithography: An Illustrated Guide to Bird Lore & Symbolism, and I must say, I was absolutely charmed. This book is a stunning visual and intellectual journey through the fascinating world of birds, blending folklore, mythology, and rich history into one beautifully illustrated package.

From the same creative mind behind Floriography and the Woodland Wardens Oracle Deck, Roux offers us an exploration of 100 different bird species, each paired with a striking full-page illustration that reflects her darkly romantic style. The artwork is nothing short of breathtaking, and I found myself lingering on the pages, drawn in by the intricate details. Each drawing feels like a piece of art that captures not only the beauty of the birds but also the meanings and stories associated with them. It’s clear that Roux has poured her heart into these illustrations, and they are a feast for the eyes.

What I particularly appreciated is how each entry goes beyond just presenting the bird; it delves into the rich lore surrounding each species. Learning about how different cultures have revered birds as sacred messengers or symbols of deeper truths added a layer of depth to my understanding of them. The blend of art and storytelling really resonates with me, making each bird feel significant and worthy of admiration. The inclusion of both common and scientific names for each species is a thoughtful touch as well.

Overall, I found Ornithography to be an enchanting read that would make a delightful gift for anyone who appreciates nature, mythology, and art—be it a budding birdwatcher or just someone who enjoys learning about the world around them. If you’re looking for a book that combines stunning visuals with fascinating stories, this one is definitely worth picking up. It’s a lovely reminder of the elegance and mystery that our feathered friends bring into our lives.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

I have been a huge fan of Jessica Roux for years. The book not only includes beautiful imagery of each bird mention but also cute quirky lore behind each one. I can not wait to buy the physical book.

Jessica Roux is always astounding in all the art she creates. Her realistic and details illustrations make these birds come to life. I felt like I learned a lot from this book, because while it is not scientific in nature, it does give some factual information on each type of bird, along with the symbolic information. It felt like there was a good variety of the world represented in the folktales, spanning across many different cultures and religions. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of birds and their meanings, and will probably end up referring to it if I ever need to use bird symbolism in my own writing.