- Author: Rebecca Heisman
- Paperback: 288 pages
- 8" x 5.3" x 0.6"
Only recently have we begun to fully understand where birds go when they disappear south over the horizon, flying thousands of miles across the earth each fall and spring. And although we now know much more about these amazing journeys than ever before, the process of how scientists revealed these epic voyages is a miracle in and of itself.
Flight Paths is the fascinating story of how a group of pioneering, passionate scientists co-opted almost every branch of science to solve the great mystery of bird migration. Looking closely not only at what these scientists were learning but also at how they were learning it, bird expert and science writer Rebecca Heisman describes the behind-the-scenes development of each technique used for tracking migratory birds, from the origins of bird banding to the latest in high-throughput genetic sequencing and space-based tracking systems. Along the way, Heisman touches on the biggest technological breakthroughs of modern science and reveals the almost-forgotten stories of the scientists who harnessed these inventions in service of furthering our understanding of nature.
Flight Paths is ultimately a testament to the power of insatiable curiosity, and demonstrates that the real power of science happens when people work together, focusing on a common goal.