The Sound Approach to Birding
A Guide to Understanding Bird Sound
Published on 23. April 2026
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-0-00-883144-8 (ISBN)
Description
Imagine yourself on a Bill Bryson adventure through the treetops, learning about cultural and biological evolution, migration and more, from the world's leading authorities.
The Sound Approach to Birding is the pioneering book on birdsong by the global leaders in bird sound recording, identification and analysis, Mark Constantine OBE (CEO and co-founder of LUSH) and the Sound Approach team. Readers are invited on a journey through practical field experience, scientific theory and an in-depth understanding of birds and their calls.
Illustrated with stunning original artwork and photographs of over 200 species, the book is accompanied by a bespoke, free-to-download app that allows the reader to listen to original sound recordings of authentic birdcalls alongside the informative text. The Sound Approach to Birding is for beginners, experienced birdwatchers, ornithologists, nature enthusiasts, families and educators to discover more about birdwatching, a wide variety of species and their songs and all in a beautiful gift package.
This edition features extensive updates, revised content, a new cover and new chapters and artwork.
The Sound Approach to Birding is the pioneering book on birdsong by the global leaders in bird sound recording, identification and analysis, Mark Constantine OBE (CEO and co-founder of LUSH) and the Sound Approach team. Readers are invited on a journey through practical field experience, scientific theory and an in-depth understanding of birds and their calls.
Illustrated with stunning original artwork and photographs of over 200 species, the book is accompanied by a bespoke, free-to-download app that allows the reader to listen to original sound recordings of authentic birdcalls alongside the informative text. The Sound Approach to Birding is for beginners, experienced birdwatchers, ornithologists, nature enthusiasts, families and educators to discover more about birdwatching, a wide variety of species and their songs and all in a beautiful gift package.
This edition features extensive updates, revised content, a new cover and new chapters and artwork.
Reviews / Votes
'The new book is a work of art. The whole Sound Approach series is untouchable. It has everything: it's groundbreaking, funny, educational, and highly digestible to all levels. The books themselves are just beautiful to hold and flick through.' - Sean Ronayne, ornithologist, award-winning author, and environmental activist 'Astute, compelling, accessible and lovely - this book turns birdsong on its head.' - Chris Packham 'genuinely groundbreaking' Birdwatching 'revolutionising the use of sound in identifying birds' New Scientist 'aims to correct under-representation and properly explain female birdsong' Guardian 'commands a top perch on my bookshelf' Stuart Winter The original edition was the winner of Bird Book of the Year by the Sunday Express, Birdwatch Magazine, and the British Trust for Ornithology Featured on the Full Disclosure podcast with James O'Brien, including an interview with Mark ConstantineMore details
Edition
Second edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers
Illustrations
113 col illus
Dimensions
Height: 285 mm
Width: 202 mm
Thickness: 32 mm
Weight
1382 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-00-883144-8 (9780008831448)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Mark Constantine OBE has been a keen birder since the 1970s. Mark is the Co-Founder and CEO of cosmetics retailer LUSH and founder of the Sound Approach.
The Sound Approach team is made up of Killian Mullarney, Magnus Robb, Rene Pop and Arnoud van den Berg - world-class experts in bird sound and bird identification, bird illustration and bird photography.
The Sound Approach team is made up of Killian Mullarney, Magnus Robb, Rene Pop and Arnoud van den Berg - world-class experts in bird sound and bird identification, bird illustration and bird photography.