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Image for event: Virtual Author Talk with Jay Falk

Virtual Author Talk with Jay Falk

The Bird Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Birds

2025-08-05 11:00:00 2025-08-05 12:00:00 America/Los_Angeles Virtual Author Talk with Jay Falk Enjoy a range of talks from bestselling authors and thought leaders. Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. Virtual Pierce County Library -

Tuesday, August 05
11:00am - 12:00pm

Add to Calendar 2025-08-05 11:00:00 2025-08-05 12:00:00 America/Los_Angeles Virtual Author Talk with Jay Falk Enjoy a range of talks from bestselling authors and thought leaders. Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. Virtual Pierce County Library -

Enjoy a range of talks from bestselling authors and thought leaders. Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium.

Register here!

Delve into the fascinating world of birds through astonishing photography and clear explanations in this absorbing global guide, The Bird Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Birds.

Birds are dinosaurs with a history going back millions of years. Our fascination with them runs deep in history, and our close association is reflected in creation stories, myths, legends, songs, and children's stories.

This book and presentation explore:

Both the natural history of birds and that deep cultural connection. From their evolution and anatomy to their behavior and diversity.
Hawks, finches, swans, or birds of paradise, moving the focus away from a predictable species-by-species account and allowing for truly global coverage. 
The bold nature of European Robins and why they are associated with Christmas; the mythical Phoenix, which rises from the ashes; and learn about eagles, from their hunting prowess to their myriads of stories and symbolism. Packed with information, beautiful photography, and illustrations, The Bird Book is a must-have for nature enthusiasts. Register today to learn more about your very own backyard friends!

About the Author: Dr. Jay Jinsing Falk is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and the University of Colorado. He is an evolutionary biologist and behavioral ecologist fascinated by the diversity that can be found within species, especially in sexual traits. During his PhD, he began studying White-necked Jacobin hummingbirds as a STRI Short-Term Fellow, and later as a Smithsonian Predoctoral Fellow. His findings, that some females of this species look like males while others do not, has become the cornerstone of his research program. He is inspired by the dizzying array of feather coloration that can be found in hummingbirds. After completing his PhD at Cornell University, he moved to the University of Washington to study hummingbird movement and metabolism. Now at the University of Colorado, he is investigating the genetics and development of feather coloration. Jay currently lives in Gamboa, Panamá, where he studies the hummingbirds that visit the feeders at his house on the edge of the forest.

 

*Note: While the book will be discussed, please be aware the presenter may explore other topics in the related fields suiting their additional expertise. Presenters can be expected to be experts in the field; however, for the Smithsonian and Library Speakers Consortium Collaboration they may not always be the author of the book being highlighted.

For more information about upcoming author talks, and to view past recordings, please visit Library Speakers Consortium Author Talks.

    AGE GROUP: | Adults (18+) |

    EVENT TYPE: | Author event |

    Virtual Pierce County Library

    virtualpcls@pcls.us
    Phone: 253-548-3300

    Hours
    Mon, Jul 28 10:00AM to 6:00PM
    Tue, Jul 29 10:00AM to 6:00PM
    Wed, Jul 30 10:00AM to 6:00PM
    Thu, Jul 31 10:00AM to 6:00PM
    Fri, Aug 01 10:00AM to 6:00PM
    Sat, Aug 02 11:00AM to 3:00PM
    Sun, Aug 03 Closed

    About the branch

    Upcoming events

    Thu, Jul 31, 11:00am - 12:00pm
    Enjoy a range of talks from bestselling authors and thought leaders. Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium.

    Thu, Jul 31, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
    Virtual Room 3
    Learn, connect, and practice English language skills. For ESL learners and English speakers wanting to connect with and support ESL learners.
    Registration is now closed

    Tue, Aug 05, 10:00am - 11:00am
    Virtual Room 3
    Learn, connect, and practice English language skills. For ESL learners and English speakers wanting to connect with and support ESL learners.

    Tue, Aug 05, 11:00am - 12:00pm
    Enjoy a range of talks from bestselling authors and thought leaders. Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium.