Taken Captive by Birds is a collection of acclaimed author Marguerite Poland's 'discovery' of birds as a child and the role they have played in her and her family's life. Interwoven with the personal story are the myths, traditions and meanings behind birds and their names within Zulu and Xhosa culture. Taken Captive by Birds is divided into 18 chapters, each of which loosely deals with one particular bird or, sometimes, a grouping of birds. Taken Captive by Birds is beautifully illustrated by Craig Ivor.