The Book of Birds with Jackie Morris
Summary
Helen Needham interviews artist Jackie Morris about her collaboration with Robert Macfarlane on *The Book of Birds*, a poetic field guide to 49 threatened species. They discuss Morris’s detailed illustrations, the urgency of conservation, and the magic of bird behaviors like the capercaillie’s courtship and the cuckoo’s brood parasitism. The episode highlights how art and language can foster a deeper connection with nature to help save disappearing wildlife.
Topics discussed
Sponsorship ads for Whole Foods and Midas
Introduction to The Book of Birds and Jackie Morris
Jackie's lifelong obsession with birds and art
Reimagining field guides to identify with birds
The Capercailie: A rare Scottish bird in peril
Sponsorship ads for Whole Foods and Midas
Shifting baseline syndrome and the Lapwing
Capturing individual character in bird paintings
Researching flight: Photos, films, and field trips
The fascinating biology and mimicry of the Cuckoo
The symbolism of eggs and the extinct Northern Curlew
The versatility of the beak and learning to listen
Ravens, mythology, and the Inis Murchad gathering
Spell Songs tour details and podcast outro
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