What the Chicken Knows: A New Appreciation of the World’s Most Familiar Bird

In her self-narrated latest, Montgomery (Secrets of the Octopus) presents the world of chickens, exploring the unique relationship between humans and these often-overlooked creatures. Montgomery, a celebrated naturalist, first began raising her backyard flock more than 20 years ago. Through her expressive narration, she brings out the distinct personalities of her chickens, each with its quirks—some are bold and social, while others are shy and reserved. Her voice adds depth to the storytelling, allowing listeners to appreciate chickens’ surprising intelligence and complex emotional lives. She demonstrates that these birds are highly adaptive thinkers with the ability to recognize numerous other chickens and the capacity to use a wide variety of calls as they communicate. The audiobook blends scientific insight with Montgomery’s reflections; it’s both enlightening and heartwarming, revealing Montgomery’s deep affection for her flock and the profound connections she’s discovered among them.