What do you think?
Rate this book
The Parrot in the Mirror: How Evolving to Be Like Birds Makes Us Human
How similar are your choices, behaviours, and lifestyle to those of a parrot?
We humans are not like other mammals. We look like them, but we don't act like them. In fact, many of our defining human our longevity, intelligence, monogamy and childrearing, and learning and language, all deep parts of what it means to be human, are far more similar to birds than to our fellow mammals. These similarities originate not from shared ancestors but from parallel histories. Our evolutionary stories have pushed humans and birds to the same solutions. In this book, Antone Martinho-Truswell explores these similarities to argue that we can learn a great deal about ourselves by thinking of the human species as 'the bird without feathers'.
This is also a book about convergent evolution - evolution that drives very different species to very similar outcomes and behaviours. The traits we share with birds but not mammals are the result of similar, specific pressures that demanded similar solutions - and exploring these similarities can help us understand both why we evolved to be the way we are, and also how very unusual some of our behaviours are in the animal kingdom, Drawing on a rich array of examples across the natural world, Martinho-Truswell also demonstrates the ways in which parrots are our biological mirror image; an evolutionary parallel to ourselves. In contemplating what we share with the birds, and especially the parrots, we understand how close nature came to creating another lineage of radical intelligence on Earth, and we also come to better understand ourselves.
We humans are not like other mammals. We look like them, but we don't act like them. In fact, many of our defining human our longevity, intelligence, monogamy and childrearing, and learning and language, all deep parts of what it means to be human, are far more similar to birds than to our fellow mammals. These similarities originate not from shared ancestors but from parallel histories. Our evolutionary stories have pushed humans and birds to the same solutions. In this book, Antone Martinho-Truswell explores these similarities to argue that we can learn a great deal about ourselves by thinking of the human species as 'the bird without feathers'.
This is also a book about convergent evolution - evolution that drives very different species to very similar outcomes and behaviours. The traits we share with birds but not mammals are the result of similar, specific pressures that demanded similar solutions - and exploring these similarities can help us understand both why we evolved to be the way we are, and also how very unusual some of our behaviours are in the animal kingdom, Drawing on a rich array of examples across the natural world, Martinho-Truswell also demonstrates the ways in which parrots are our biological mirror image; an evolutionary parallel to ourselves. In contemplating what we share with the birds, and especially the parrots, we understand how close nature came to creating another lineage of radical intelligence on Earth, and we also come to better understand ourselves.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2022
6 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 31, 2022
Some good stuff but a bit tenuous and unfocused.
July 16, 2022
A strong argument for convergent evolution between birds and primates culminating in a discussion of the similarities between parrots and humans. The author cites as evidence the intelligence of both species including their tool making and puzzle solving abilities, and social learning. Other evidence includes the use of code (language) to communicate, long lives, monogamy, lengthy childhoods requiring parental care, and the ability to relocate to avoid predation, and to find food and shelter.
The author does not attempt to address questions about why humans evolved into our current social, cultural and economic manifestations, while birds did not. He rightfully leaves those issues for further research, and responses by scientists and philosophers.
This stimulating, erudite discussion loses a quarter star for typographical errors. Therefore, it rates 4.75 stars.
The author does not attempt to address questions about why humans evolved into our current social, cultural and economic manifestations, while birds did not. He rightfully leaves those issues for further research, and responses by scientists and philosophers.
This stimulating, erudite discussion loses a quarter star for typographical errors. Therefore, it rates 4.75 stars.
August 25, 2022
I ordered this book after reading a brief description somewhere. I can’t remember. I was looking up best new releases of non-fiction—and, well, the listicle author was correct.
This book is a glorious flight through the convergent evolutionary similiarities between birds and humans. I finished it feeling more curious than ever about birds and a little more human.
Antone is a clear and engaging writer who gives your imagination wings.
This book is a glorious flight through the convergent evolutionary similiarities between birds and humans. I finished it feeling more curious than ever about birds and a little more human.
Antone is a clear and engaging writer who gives your imagination wings.
January 3, 2023
I thought the first few chapters tied together evolutionary theory, life history and behaviour really nicely, however my opinion of the book went downhill the further I read.
The author makes many throw away claims throughout the book, like parrots being 'the only species to rhythmically drum' or 'use compound tools'. These are not themselves facts, more statements based on definitions which are not agreed upon between researcher's of animal behaviour. These statements become more frequent as the book progresses, and it's a shame to see the author passively hiding behind a single reference here and there, rather than actually engaging in any debate surrounding the uniqueness of parrot behaviour. Overall, these throw-away, superficial points made me less convinced by the other arguements put forward by the author, which was disheartening.
Finally, the chapter dedicated to breeding strategies in humans and parrots requires a heavy dash of salt. Martinho-Truswell again makes heavy claims about the natural or most common relationships between humans (romantic and sexual) with little evidence to support what he says. He uses evolutionary theory to make arguements around what humans 'should' do, based on evolutionary fitness - an approach to human morality which is equal parts dangerous, unfounded, and inappropriate. Much of the author's discussion in this section of the book felt like a plea for conservative values, and in all honesty wasn't very interesting or convincing.
3 stars overall; I would give 2.5. A good start, but unfortunately was riddled with glass truths: nicely put, but easily shattered.
The author makes many throw away claims throughout the book, like parrots being 'the only species to rhythmically drum' or 'use compound tools'. These are not themselves facts, more statements based on definitions which are not agreed upon between researcher's of animal behaviour. These statements become more frequent as the book progresses, and it's a shame to see the author passively hiding behind a single reference here and there, rather than actually engaging in any debate surrounding the uniqueness of parrot behaviour. Overall, these throw-away, superficial points made me less convinced by the other arguements put forward by the author, which was disheartening.
Finally, the chapter dedicated to breeding strategies in humans and parrots requires a heavy dash of salt. Martinho-Truswell again makes heavy claims about the natural or most common relationships between humans (romantic and sexual) with little evidence to support what he says. He uses evolutionary theory to make arguements around what humans 'should' do, based on evolutionary fitness - an approach to human morality which is equal parts dangerous, unfounded, and inappropriate. Much of the author's discussion in this section of the book felt like a plea for conservative values, and in all honesty wasn't very interesting or convincing.
3 stars overall; I would give 2.5. A good start, but unfortunately was riddled with glass truths: nicely put, but easily shattered.
April 22, 2023
Absolutely fascinating! This was entertaining and full of cool insights, with even some laugh-out-loud moments (bonus points for using "embiggen" and "cromulent" appropriately).
Read
May 21, 2023vocal learning in a big forest...
skimmed...
skimmed...
March 8, 2024
A wonderfully accessible exploration of the convergent evolution that led to birds and humans sharing so many traits.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews