Ravens and humans have lived side by side for centuries. At the Battle Of Culloden in 1746, these birds of ‘doom and deluge’ could be seen feasting on the corpses of the dead. Ravens, with their mythical status and high intelligence, have been both celebrated, demonised and persecuted throughout history. Will our kingdom and monarchy fall if the ravens that reside at the Tower of London desert it?

Naturalist and BBC Natural History Unit broadcaster Stephen Moss uncovers the truth within the pages of Ten Birds That Changed The World. The opening chapter about ravens is truly revealing, as are the following nine, which include bird species such as Darwin’s finches, snowy egrets, wild turkeys, tree sparrows, and pigeons – which, despite a divisive reputation, proved to be extremely useful during World War II as message carriers. (More amazingly still, pigeon post had been used in the Indian state of Odisha for 400 years, up to 2006.) Ten Birds That Changed The World also takes a disturbing social turn with the chapter on how the bald eagle became a symbol for the far right.

Moss digs deep and answers many questions within chapters that are rich with both natural and historical facts. Sadly, it becomes more apparent on numerous occasions within these pages that humanity has not always been kind to birds. Ten Birds That Changed The World is an engrossing tribute to our feathered neighbours.