The naturalist Stephen Moss delves into some of the most popular Christmas carols in a gentle celebration of the holiday season. Using the structure of the carol as a starting point, he explores the place of twelve fascinating British birds in our history, culture, and landscape. Some of the birds are obvious, such as the swan and, of course, the partridge. Other chapters are loose interpretations of a verse: for the "drummers drumming," he investigates the distinctive drumming movements of the woodpecker. Woodpeckers, he explains, have special linings in their skulls to reduce impact when using their heads like a hammer. They carefully select dead trees for the most resonant and hollow sound. With stunning insights and knowledge, Stephen Moss weaves history, culture, bird behavior, and tradition into a captivating narrative for each species, tracing its fate over the last two centuries.