“What wild creature is more accessible to our eyes and ears, as close to us and everyone in the world, as universal as a bird?” — David Attenborough Birds are vertebrate animals uniquely adapted for flight. Many can also run, jump, swim, and dive. Some—like penguins—have lost the ability to fly but retained their wings. Birds are found in every corner of the globe and in every type of habitat. Today, there are around ten thousand living species. The largest is the ostrich, reaching nine feet tall, while the smallest is the bee hummingbird, just two inches long. Everything about a bird’s anatomy reflects its adaptation for flight. Their wings, for example, are shaped to create lift: the leading edge is thicker than the trailing edge, and the feathers narrow to a point. Airplane wings were modeled after bird wings. The sheer diversity of birds—in habitats, colors, shapes, and behaviors—has the power to capture one’s attention and imagination for a lifetime. My passion for birds began at a very young age. To me, they have always symbolized absolute freedom. I still remember, as a child, watching birds in flight and feeling both thrilled and deeply envious.