The Birds of Heaven: Travels with Cranes

by Peter Matthiessen, Robert Bateman (Illustrator)

“You don’t have to be a ‘craniac’ . . . to appreciate [this book] . . . All you really need is a passion for prose as good as it gets.” — Chicago Tribune

In legend, cranes often figure as harbingers of heaven and omens of longevity and good fortune. And in nature, they are an “umbrella species” whose well-being assures that of the ecosystem at large. The Birds of Heaven chronicles Peter Matthiessen’s many journeys on five continents in search of the fifteen species of cranes. His telling captures the dilemmas of a planet in ecological crisis, and the deep loss to humankind if these beautiful and imposing creatures are allowed to disappear.

Genres: Birds, Nature, Travel, Nonfiction, Science, Animals, Natural History

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Peter Matthiessen is the author of more than thirty books and the only writer to win the National Book Award for both non-fiction (The Snow Leopard, in two categories, in 1979 and 1980) and fiction (Shadow Country, in 2008). A co-founder of The Paris Review and a world-renowned naturalist, explorer and activist, he died in April 2014.

Reviews

[Scot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing and highly recommended for anyone fascinated by cranes, travel focused on nature exploration, or learning about the world, history and government through its relationship to keystone species.

Peter Mathiessen was a treasure, such a thoughtful and astute naturalist and writer. Here, he travelled the world to see every species of crane on the planet. With each species and place he paints a beautiful picture of the relationship between the culture or government and the cranes and why they are thriving or in a precarious position.

His time in Siberia, China, Japan, India, and the surrounding environments are incredible and opens up the long standing interconnected relationships and the impact that modern greedy politics are having on the cranes.

His support from Crane enthusiasts from around the world was beautiful with special shout outs to the International Crane Foundation. I would love to write the follow up to this book!

I was wowed by the cranes of Australia and the demilitarised zone in Korea and the birds holding on tight for life elsewhere. They are absolutely amazing birds.

I waited to read the last two chapters on the North American Cranes - Sandhill and Whooping - until my daughter and I arrived in the Panhandle of Texas to witness hundreds of Sandhill Cranes wintering here. It was stupefying and the experience of a lifetime.

[Vaidya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had no idea cranes were a big deal. I didn’t know there are only 15 species of them left. And like all big birds they are badly endangered.

Mathiessen travels to the 5 continents they’re found(except S America & Antarctica). Every continent supports at least one or two species of cranes. Everywhere it’s the same issue with growing human habitation and influence and declining wetlands and priaries/savanna.

Hadn’t really thought much along crane lines, but I realised I have seen only one species- the grey crowned crane in Africa, a beautiful bird. But at the end of the book, am totally in love with them. I should at least see the ones in India - the Sarus, Eurasian and the Demoiselle.

[Jennifer Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matthiessen's nature writing is something special, combining the calm of nature with the majesty of the greatest creatures, comprehensive in detail and with as much attention to each moment of landscape and interaction as to the strangest sights. That ease, and the honor Matthiessen gives to even the quietest moments, is what makes his works so special.

I took some time to get through this one--birds aren't my first love in nature so much as many other animals, so I knew taking my time to try to absorb as much as I could would make sense. I'm glad I did, not only because it gave me more time to take in the details and enjoy the gorgeous paintings and drawings by Robert Bateman which are scattered through the book, but also because I think I grew a new appreciation for the gorgeous birds discussed in this work. In fact, since the book was written some twenty years ago, my first task upon finishing was to run to my computer and get updates on the state of cranes in our chaotic world.

I'd absolutely recommend this work to nature lovers. Although the numbers and some small things may be out of date, the behavior and wonder of these birds is honored in full through the work of Matthiessen and Bateman, and this is a work worth reading and passing on.

Absolutely recommended.

[Marguerite Hargreaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

I sought this out, figuring it's the closest I'll ever get to a crane outside of a zoo. I've read Peter Matthiessen before, and he's a fine writer and an impassioned advocate of wildlife and undisturbed nature. Even so, I found this tedious going at times. The largest chunk I read at one sitting, about 70 pages, occurred when I was imprisoned in the dentist's chair for three hours for a root canal. That tells me something. I learned a lot about cranes, helped by the fact that I read maybe two-thirds of the 30 pages of footnotes. I thought the science of their evolution and migration was interesting. I liked the fact that Matthiessen included political/social dynamics as he moved from place to place (there was much less of that in the sections on Africa, Europe and the U.S., however). I liked how he placed the cranes within the cultures, showing natives' reverence for the birds. But at some point the level of detail about trachea structure became tedious. Robert Bateman's drawings and paintings are spectacular. More information in the captions would have been useful, as would references in the text to the various illustrations. (Am I seeing a courtship dance here or a threat display, fellas?) I also hate it when an author quotes himself, which Matthiessen does a couple of times here. It just comes across as self-serving.

[Gillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, I FINALLY finished this book, after picking it up and putting it down for about a year and a half (usually not a good sign). It was interesting, but seemed kind of disjointed (maybe that had more to do with my reading habits than his writing). I was disappointed that he did not spend more time on sandhill cranes, but found the saga of whooper crane recovery to be very interesting.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

An elegantly written tale of the cranes of the world, their
history and their cultural significance, and one man's
travels in search of their story.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written as all of Matthiessen's books...but not an easy book to read when so much of it deals with the declining numbers of the 15 remaining species of cranes worldwide.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book about cranes, their world, and the world around them.

This book is a compilation of Peter's travels watching and studying cranes, spending time with friends, and continuing his journey to find his place in nature. He writes about the cranes, their migrations, their preferred habitats, and their sheer beauty. He also writes about the landscapes, the other fauna, the image of the crane in the consciousness of traditional peoples, and the people themselves. Peter has this way of writing, it makes me feel like I'm with him, experiencing what he is describing. I am sitting next to him in the marsh, hearing the crane, and visiting with his friends.

I believe most of it was written in the 80's and 90's and compiled in 2001-ish. He writes about the loss of habitat of the cranes due to human expansion and the things that go along with that (mining, logging, draining of wetlands, etc.) Each time I reminded myself of this, it made me a little sad as human influence has likely encroached on the cranes even more, between the time he wrote and the time I read the book. But I do have some optimism in the efforts of the scientists and naturalists who love these birds.

I love Peter's books, his fiction and non fiction. He writes with such an easy pace and flow. He provides me with enough detail about his subjects that I can enjoy an easy read while filling in whatever details my imagination comes up with.

[Tim Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

_The Birds of Heaven_ by Peter Matthiessen is a well-written and informative account of the fifteen living species of crane. Matthiessen chronicled in the book his years of experience with these birds, traveling to Russia, China, Mongolia (where six species have been recorded), India, Bhutan, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Africa, England (where the Eurasian or common crane, extinct there since 1653, is at last a breeding species once more), Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Florida to study and write about the various species. Matthiessen's superb writing is accompanied by truly excellent artwork by artist Robert Bateman, who produced a number of black and white drawings and color paintings for the book.

Matthiessen did an excellent job of covering the biology of cranes in general and of each species individually. The crane family (Gruidae) we learn is found on every continent except South America and Antarctica and is comprised of three genera, _Grus_ (to which all but five of the living species belong to and a group primarily found in Eurasia), _Anthropoides_ (which includes the demoiselle crane as well as the blue crane of South Africa, which may be descended from it; Matthiessen discussed many theories of crane evolution), and _Balearica_ (which includes two African species, the black crowned and gray crowned). Though sometimes called herons in some parts of the world (or more often herons are referred to as cranes), cranes differ from herons in that cranes fly with neck outstretched rather than curved back over the shoulder (they differ from storks in that storks display broad tails, which the cranes lack).

The several species of crane have subtly different breeding habitat and food preferences; for instance in the Amur Basin the white-naped crane probes for tubers while the red crowned crane hunts small animals and picks at vegetation. Not all cranes are restricted to wetlands; while for example all three of the rare white cranes are found only in marshes, the more widespread and abundant demoiselle, Eurasian, and sandhill cranes are generalized feeders able to succeed in a variety of terrains, with the demoiselle primarily an upland feeder.

Some cranes have rather unusual adaptations. Several species are "diggers" - feeding primarily on mud-buried tubers - and these species (the white-naped, sarus, brolga, Siberian, and wattled cranes) have naked, non-feathered skin on their head down to the bill, which is an adaptation analogous to the naked head and neck of vultures. The brolga crane, which is more often found in salt marshes than other species, has evolved specialized salt glands near the eyes through which it can secrete concentrated salts. Feather painting is also covered; some species daub their feathers with wet vegetation or mud during nesting season for camouflage.

The role of cranes in myth and history is also discussed. The word crane comes from the old German word "Cranuh," which like the genus name _Grus_ is a rendition of the bird's cry. The Yakuts people of Siberia revered the Siberian crane as a symbol of their various clans, a uniting symbol for their people. The sarus crane of India (at nearly six feet tall the tallest flying bird on earth) has been for centuries revered as a holy messenger of Vishnu, a Hindu deity, a reverence that has protected this crane from hunting (similarly a Buddhist reverence for life in general and often cranes in particular has helped kept cranes safe in such places as Bhutan). The red-crowned crane (or in Japanese "tancho;" the heaviest flying bird on earth) was revered as a messenger of death and symbol of eternal life to the Ainu and portrayed in Japanese robes, wedding kimonos, screens, scrolls, and other items for centuries. Revered also in Korea as "turumi," a companion to sages, scholars, and musicians, in both nations it was also regrettably hunted and eaten. More recently the peace symbol of the 1960s was originally a Hopi Indian sign derived from the footprint of a crane.

One thing that surprised me was that some crane discoveries were made fairly recently. The whooping crane's breeding ground was found after nine years of searching in 1954. A large, breeding, unknown (though known to Aborigines) population of sarus cranes was discovered in 1961 in Australia. A non-migratory population of red-crowned cranes on Hokkaido wasn't confirmed until 1972. The breeding ground of the central Siberian population of the Siberian crane wasn't found until 1978. The black-necked or Tibetan crane was as late as 1987 thought to be rapidly vanishing, the second most endangered crane on earth, but surveys in the early 1990s in Tibet and Bhutan pegged the species at a much healthier count of 5,500 birds, showing that early estimates were way off.

Issues of crane conservation are well covered, with Matthiessen chronicling the dire straits faced by many of the species, the heroic efforts made by some to save them, and even their role as "umbrella species;" that when their habitats are preserved many other plants and animals benefit. The Amur Basin of Russia for instance - a vital crane habitat - is being threatened by massive deforestation, agricultural runoff, pollution from mining, and proposed dams. Attempts by such agencies as the International Crane Foundation to broker deals between those nations that share the Amur and its products - Russia, South Korea, China, and Japan - has been stymied by mutual mistrust (extending to ridiculous extremes; Chinese officials refusing for instance to refer to the red-crowned crane as the Japanese or Manchurian crane, both frequently used common names). Some successes exist; the Keoladeo Ghana Bird Reserve near Bharatpur, India, established to preserve wintering Siberian cranes is now also home to 364 bird species as well as pythons, nilgai antelope, and sambar deer (though the park is still threatened by the crush of humanity in crowded India).

In addition to being an excellent book on the history and natural history of cranes it is also a wonderful travel book, the author doing a great job of describing what it is like to travel in such exotic places as Bhutan and Mongolia.

[Pat MacEwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matthiessen's chronicles of his pursuit of cranes really held my interest, not least because I live only a few miles away from a winter refuge for sandhill cranes in central California. I have also seen cranes in Japan but never had the chance to visit all five continents where they can be found, let alone see all fifteen species in the wild, as Matthiessen has done. His travelogue is worth reading simply for his vivid descriptions of some of the wildest and most remote parts of the world where cranes can be found, including Mongolia, China, the Okavango Delta in Africa, and the De-Militarized Zone running between the two Koreas. The history of those bird populations is largely a tale of decline due to habitat loss, excessive hunting, and burgeoning human populations. Heartbreaking in most cases, as saving the cranes will in too many cases require cooperation between often-hostile nations and forward-thinking policies all around. Yet whooping cranes show us it can be done. I salute this self-described "craniac" and his cohorts in fighting ecological crime.

[Jeff Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extraordinary book. Over 300 pages, he describes every conservation effort for cranes going on around the globe, some of them in far flung places. That is not ordinarily the description of a book that I would want to read. It is through his elegant, seductive prose detailing the landscapes and the adventures that are his way into those landscapes that drew me in, and made it a right of celebration for me. How incredible that he would take on this mammoth task, akin to publishing an encyclopedia, for this bird. His reverence is made clear by the beauty of his prose, and the singular nature of his observation in the presence of these heavenly animals. How lucky we are that this zen master would also like to hang out with unusual scientists, and occasionally bureaucrats, in some of the least enlightened settings in our world.

I hope that I might meet Mr. Matthiessen in the sweet hereafter.

[Murray Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part nature study, part travelogue, part environmental rant, The Birds of Heaven follows Peter Matthiessen (noted nature writer) as he travels the earth, attempting to observe every species of crane in its native habitat. This takes him through such forbidding landscapes as Siberia, Monogolia, Central Africa, and the Australian Outback, as well as more familiar territories in Japan and the U.S. At times it does get bogged down in the details of individual crane species, but for the most part the writing is light and engaging. Ideal for the homebuilder who has neither the time nor the money for such voyages.

[Peggy Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luminous. A wonderful reading experience, especially for those who love these “birds of heaven”. Immediately upon finishing the book, I signed up for a birdwatching trip to Japan in hopes of seeing the Red-crowned Cranes. I have already seen both North American species (Sandhills and Whoopers) as well as the Sarus and Brolga in Australia and Gray-crowned in Kenya. It is easy to become obsessed with these mystical creatures, as Matthiessen clearly was. He is one of my favorite writers, and this will remain one of my favorites of his books.

[Vivian Jiang · Rating 3 out of 5]

I typically don't feel the urge to write reviews for nonfiction books, since they almost automatically get at least a 4 out of 5 if I find them educational and at least moderately engaging.

So I'm probably the wrong audience for this book, or I don't care as much about cranes as I thought I did before reading this book, but I found this book missed the mark in terms of being at least moderately engaging.

In fact, I found it quite dry and difficult to get through for what felt like the majority of the book, which I wouldn't have expected based on the book's summary that had convinced me to read it in the first place. For me personally, there was just too much devoted towards the evolution of specific species of cranes and not enough pages spent towards inspiring a non-"craniac" like me to care about their conservation as much as say, a tiger.

I guess I was expecting this book to be the crane version of The Snow Leopard, which for me it wasn't, making it a book I wouldn't have finished if not for my personal resolve to leave no books half-read.

[Kristal Stidham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting account of the author's approximately ten years of travels around the world to see all fifteen crane species in the wild. The amount of time, money, energy and research he put into this endeavor is staggering!

I learned a lot about cranes, the habitats and changing situations they're living in. I have a new appreciation for the species and the people who are fervently attempting to save them. I followed up with a visit to the IFC's website: savingcranes.org to learn how they're doing since this book was published in 2001. There is cause for hope!

[Joseph Gendron · Rating 5 out of 5]

My intent was to peruse this book as I didn't think the subject matter would appeal to me. Geography and travel adventure does appeal, however, and I soon found myself immersed in fascinating details of landscapes, wildlife and cultures that co-exist with the "Birds of Heaven". Matthiessen weaves a compelling story of their diversity and struggles to survive and flourish in the modern world. Robert Bateman adds a classy element to the book with his paintings and drawings of the Birds of Heaven.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolute must for crane lovers and an enjoyable read for bird lovers in general. Matthiessen couples his own travels with some science and local color to make a world ranging group of birds seem immediate and the protection of said birds a vital mission of anyone reading .
For non- crane lovers, it might be a bit repetitive…go to place x in hopes of seeing crane y…learn a bit about them…then go to place y and repeat, but …all in all…a joy

[Ted Manahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good information on cranes and a travelogue.

Pretty depressing on the chances for these birds to survive. Published in 2001; I'm sure things are worse now.

[Maddy Barnard · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was more travelogue then book about cranes.

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thorough and impassioned study of cranes and their unique standing as a global species that requires large open spaces to thrive. Matthiessen employs cranes as exemplars of the need for global reconsideration of environmental practices, both ecological and political. Cranes, like environmental degradation, know no political borders. In short, their plight is ours too.

Although not the most poetic of Matthiessen's work, the book's central argument and moments of ecological and spiritual insight warrant a careful reading. If new to his writing, start with The Snow Leopard.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very well written detailed book looking at crane species around the world and the ornithologists who are studying them, protecting them and trying to re establish crane populations where they are declining. This is a great book for the serious birder or biologist as well as those who aspire to be biologists. A more casual reader may be either bored or overwhelmed by the wealth of bird and biology detail. This is a great book for the right kind of reader, the dedicated bird afficianado.

[JJE · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic tale of travel in pursuit of wildlife which I love. The travelling is immense and shows the intent of Matthiessen when setting off on such an challenging journey. The tales of each of the species is often sad and shows just how on the edge nearly every species of Crane is on the planet.

This book shows the hardship the birds are having to endure predominantly through the changes man has mad on their lifestyles and habits. I found it the kind of book you needed to concentrate on to fully comprehend which made it a bit of a slow burn but thoroughly enjoyed the contents.

[Leslie]

Read some, paged through most, had to return to the library and then traveled so I lost the thread, but clearly it is a very rich resource on cranes. My first real 'introduction' to cranes was Richard Powers brilliant 2006 novel, The Echo Maker. I have been interested in and drawn to them (and drawings or photos of them ) ever since, but without any knowledge. This book is an excellent resource and I hope to get back to it.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book! Although somewhat detailed and scientific in some parts, it is also awesome in the beauty and and power of it's descriptions. The author, Peter Matthiessen, is powerful in his abilities and in his journey to find and describe the habitats of these wonderful birds across five continents. Peter Matthiessen, recently passed away, however this book is a legacy to his intelligence and close association to these threatened animals. We can only hope they will continue to exist.

[Thomas]

A remarkable account of Peter Matthiessen's travels in China, Russia, Mongolia, India, Australia and Japan to assess populations of the planet's dozen or so species of cranes. Very lucid description of the geography,ecology of the birds and humans who live in these areas. Some of his best non-fiction writing (and he has been writing for more than 50 years).

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Birds Of Heaven: Travels With Cranes by Peter Matthiessen (North Point Press 2001)(598.32). Cranes are omens of longevity and good fortune in many cultures. Peter Matthiessen chronicles his journeys to five continents in search of the fifteen species of cranes. My rating: 7/10, finished 2007.

[Louis · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hauntingly beautiful for a documentary on the messengers of heaven. It detailed the author's travel in following these elegant birds' migration, engaging us in humbling lucidity their struggle to find sustainable homes along the way, and to highlight the the existence of beautiful creatures, in this retreating wilderness, that surpass our common imagination.

[Edward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book about a group of my favorite birds -- Cranes. Matthesien has access and information that few people do, and shows how many cultures revere these magnificent birds, and it is this respect that is fueling conservation efforts around the world to help them in their recovery.

[Jody Kuchar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book with wonderful photography by Michael (I can't remember his name YIKES). I was honored to meet Mr. Matthiessen at a book signing event with International Crane Foundation in Milwaukee WI when this book was first available.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Port Rowen, Ontario, Canada
Purchased in Arizona with Mark Aspelin at the birding festival and signed