A Most Remarkable Creature: The Hidden Life and Epic Journey of the World's Smartest Bird
by Jonathan Meiburg
Published March 2021 by Knopf Publishing in USA
Reviewed by Joel Stephens in August 2023
Jonathan Meiburg is more musician than author. He began his music career in Austin, Texas in 1993 and continues to play and record music as a solo artist, with his own band (Shearwater) and in collaboration with other prominent artists.
A Most Remarkable Creature was written to share his experiences and discoveries while exploring remote South American cultures between his undergrad work and graduate school. It is his only book, to date.
While the focal point of this book is the amazing story of the Caracaras of South America there is so much more going on inside the pages.
The author incorporates plate tectonics and the changing sea levels as a way to connect the evolution of species, the migrations of species, and the consequences of those migrations to today’s fauna landscape.
The transition of a world dominated by large reptiles to a world dominated by mammals is addressed. The timeline of human knowledge to reach the established conclusion of the demise of the reptiles makes for very interesting reading. It includes details about how the event impacted the northern and southern hemispheres differently. I found it to be fascinating and easy to read.
Another pleasant surprise of this book is the tie-in of William Henry Hudson. I believe the author has a special connection with this man.
Hudson was born in Argentina (1841) of US parents who had settled in Patagonia. He developed a love of nature (human and animal) and of birds, in particular. When he moved to England in his 30’s he began a career in journalism. Penning the novel Green Mansions, his most recognizable work.
Hudson was a contemporary of Darwin; however, they did not look at nature through the same eyes. Simply stated, Hudson believed animals could do things for fun and Darwin believed that every act of an animal had a purpose related to survival. Hudson also relished the idea of inheritance of acquired traits (Lamarckism) far more than Darwin, who believed every action had an evolutionary purpose.
Now to the birds. The centerpiece of the work is the much maligned “Johnny Rooks” or Striated Caracaras of the Falkland Islands and the extreme southern tip of South America. Nearly wiped out as a nuisance bird at one point, they are now protected and only survive on the outer islands of the Falklands.
All stories tie back to these birds.
Other Caracara species are discussed in detail to give the reader a good appreciation of the different evolutionary outcomes and bird personalities.
It is worth mentioning that another thread through the book is to disrupt the common thinking that caracaras are falconas non-grata, not worthy of being in the same family as the likes of Peregrine Falcons, for example. While no one can argue the amazing skills and senses of Peregrines, the Caracaras are cleverly shown to have their own set of amazing skills. Adaptability, curiosity, and a resourcefulness that speaks to a higher level of intelligence than the evolutionary machine of the Peregrine Falcon. I was sold and you will be too.
There are also many great adventures in Patagonia, the Amazon and even in bird sanctuaries of the English countryside that will keep you captivated. Several other Caracara species are detailed, giving bird enthusiasts a steady dose of good reads. There are human stories as well providing regional history and general human interest, making this book a good read no matter what your passion is.
I personally hope that Jonathan has a few other adventures up his sleeve or in his future so that I can enjoy the next offering.
Joel Stephens