Thor Hanson is a conservation biologist, Guggenheim Fellow, and Switzer Environmental Fellow. He has studied Central American trees and songbirds, nest predation in Tanzania, and the grisly feeding habits of African vultures. His previous books include Feathers, which won numerous awards including the 2013 John Burroughs Medal and the 2012 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Writing, and The Impenetrable Forest, which won the 2008 USA Book News Award for nature writing. He lives with his wife and son on an island in Washington State.

Author photo by Kathleen Ballard Photography