The Parrot in the Mirror: How evolving to be like birds made us human

Humans are not like other mammals; our longevity, intelligence, monogamy, and child-rearing are more similar to birds than to our fellow mammals. 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. He also demonstrates how parrots are our biological mirror image, an evolutionary parallel to ourselves.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 10 March 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Humans are distinct from other mammals in many ways, including our longevity, intelligence, monogamy, child-rearing, and learning and language abilities. These traits, which are fundamental to our human identity, are more similar to birds than to our fellow mammals. The origins of these similarities lie not in shared ancestors but in parallel histories. Throughout our evolutionary journey, humans and birds have faced similar challenges and sought similar solutions.

In his book, "The Bird Without Feathers: How Similar Are Your Choices, Behaviors, and Lifestyle to Those of a Parrot?", Antone Martinho-Truswell delves into these similarities and argues that viewing the human species as a feathered bird can provide valuable insights into our nature. This book also explores convergent evolution, which occurs when different species evolve towards similar outcomes and behaviors. The traits shared by humans and birds, but not by mammals, result from similar pressures that demanded similar solutions.

By examining these similarities, we can gain a deeper understanding of both our evolutionary history and the unique behaviors that make us distinct within the animal kingdom. Martinho-Truswell draws on a wide range of examples from the natural world to demonstrate how parrots are our biological mirror image, an evolutionary parallel to ourselves. Through contemplating our shared traits with birds, particularly parrots, we gain a profound appreciation for how closely nature came to creating another lineage of radical intelligence on Earth.

Furthermore, this exploration helps us better understand ourselves and our place in the world. By recognizing the similarities between humans and birds, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of all life and the potential for shared wisdom and understanding across species. In conclusion, "The Bird Without Feathers" offers a fascinating perspective on the similarities between humans and birds, highlighting the ways in which we can learn from our feathered counterparts and better understand ourselves and our place in the natural world.

Weight: 368g
Dimension: 147 x 223 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198846109