The Sibley Guide to Birds

Average customer rating:

Sibley is so helpful!

The Sibley Guide to Birds----a must for birding .

Bird watching

THE guide to own for North American birds

A great book and a great gift

The Sibley Guide to Birds
David Allen Sibley
Manufacturer: Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Fifth Edition (National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America)

ASIN: 0679451226

Amazon.com

More than 10 years in the making, David Sibley's Guide to Birds is a monumental achievement. The beautiful watercolor illustrations (6,600, covering 810 species in North America) and clear, descriptive text place Sibley and his work squarely in the tradition of John James Audubon and Roger Tory Peterson; more than a birdwatcher and evangelizer, he is one of the foremost bird painters and authorities in the U.S. Still, his field guide will no doubt spark debate. Unlike Kenn Kaufman's Focus Guide, Sibley's is unapologetically aimed at the converted. Beginning birders may want to keep a copy of Sibley at home as a reference, but the wealth of information will have the same effect on novices as trying to pick out a single sandpiper in a wheeling flock of thousands. The familiar yellow warbler, for instance, gets no less than nine individual illustrations documenting its geographic, seasonal, and sex variations--plus another eight smaller illustrations showing it in flight. Of course, more experienced birders will appreciate this sort of detail, along with Sibley's improvements on both Peterson and the National Geographic guide:

As in Peterson, Sibley employs a pointer system for key field markings--but additional text blurbs are included alongside the illustrations to facilitate identification.
Descriptive passages on identification are more detailed than those in most other field guides. For example, Sibley includes extensive information on the famously hard-to-distinguish hawks in the genus Accipiter (sharp-shinned, Cooper's, and northern goshawk), noting differences in leg thickness and wing beat that will be of use to more advanced birders. A section on the identification of "peeps" (small sandpipers) includes tips about seasonal molting and bill length. Confusing fall warblers, Empidonax flycatchers, and Alcids receive similar treatment.
As previously mentioned, ample space is given to illustrations that show plumage variations by age, sex, and geography within a single species. Thus, an entire page is devoted to the red-shouldered hawk and its differing appearances in the eastern U.S., Florida, and California; similarly, gulls are distinguished by age and warblers by sex.
Range maps are detailed and accurate, with breeding, wintering, and migration routes clearly depicted; rare but regular geographic occurrences are denoted by green dots.
The binding and paper stock are of exceptional quality. Despite its 544 pages, a reinforced paperback cover and sewn-in binding allow the book to be spread out flat without fear of breaking the binding.

Some birders will be put off by the book's size. Slightly larger than the National Geographic guide, it's less portable than most field guides and will likely spend more time in cars and desks than on a birder's person while in the field. For some it will be a strictly stay-at-home companion guide to consult after a field trip; others may want to have it handy in a fannypack or backpack. But regardless of how it is used, Sibley's Guide to Birds is a significant addition to any birding library. "Birds are beautiful," the author writes in the preface, "their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature." Pleasing, too, is this comprehensive guide to their identification. --Langdon Cook

Book Description

David Allen Sibley, America's most gifted contemporary painter of birds, is the author and illustrator of this comprehensive guide. His beautifully detailed illustrations—more than 6,600 in all—and descriptions of 810 species and 350 regional populations will enrich every birder's experience.

The Sibley Guide's innovative design makes it entirely user friendly. The illustrations are arranged to facilitate comparison, yet still capture the unique character of each species.

The Sibley Guide to Birds provides a wealth of new information:
—Captioned illustrations show many previously unpublished field marks and revisions of known marks
—Nearly every species is shown in flight
—Measurements include length, wingspan, and weight for every species
—Subspecies and geographic varients are covered thoroughly
—Complete voice descriptions are included for every species
—Maps show the complete distribution of every species: summer and winter ranges, migration routes, and rare occurrences

Both novice and experienced birders will appreciate these and other innovative features:
—An introductory page for each family or group of related families makes comparisons simple
—Clear and concise labels with pointers identify field marks directly
—Birds are illustrated in similar poses to make comparisons between species quick and easy
—Illustrations emphasize the way birds look in the field

With The Sibley Guide to Birds, the National Audubon Society makes the art and expertise of David Sibley available to the world in a comprehensive, handsome, easy-to-use volume that will be the indispensable identification guide every birder must own.

Customer Reviews:

Sibley is so helpful!.......2007-07-01

BACK IN THE DAYS...
when I was a young, inexperienced, birdwatcher of age 5, I found this book at a bookstore and started flipping through its pages. When my folks were ready to go, I would not leave it. So we bought the book, thinking "Was this book really worth it?" And it was.

3 YEARS LATER...
Sibley's guide is awesome! I could look at it for hours. It has got top-notch info that is suprisingly helpful for any person interested in birds. If you are a beginner, you will learn so much from it (I did!) and if you have studied birds for a while, you will get to know species better.

Go to your nearest bookstore or library to find it. It's really worth it!

The Sibley Guide to Birds----a must for birding ........2007-06-27

The Sibley Guide to Birds is necessary for anyone who has a serious or not-so-serious interest in identifying birds. The prose is well-written and easy to understand and each description gives plenty of information to help you further identify the different varieties of birds. But the most compelling feature, and one that isn't shared by any of the other bird books that I've come across, is the illustrations of each bird in all of its incarnations---from hatchling to adult and every stage of seasonal molt inbetween.

Bird watching.......2007-06-21

This book is excellent for Identifing birds.

THE guide to own for North American birds.......2007-06-18

This is THE guide to have for North American birds. It is complete, the illustrations are wonderful and very clear, and all information is included on the same page (I just wish a little more information on habitat & behavior were included). The book also includes pages illustrating birds of similar species one next to each other, which makes identification easier. The only real drawback of this book are its size and weight. It is not ideal if you are into hiking/birdwatching. If you are looking for another excellent but lighter guide to bring with you when birdwatching I recommend "All the Birds of North America" (American Bird Conservancy's Field Guide). It is complete, clear and much much smaller and lighter than Sibley. However, not only the art in Sibley is better, but there are way more illustrations of birds in different positions, of different age and or different forms (e.g. darker/lighter etc). What I often end up doing is bringing the lighter guide with me when I hike and using Sibley to check doubtful birds when I reach home.

A great book and a great gift.......2007-03-18

We've already got a copy of this book and we decided to give this copy as a gift. It was a hit. The illustrations and descriptions are great. Very easy to use.

National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Fifth Edition (National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America)

Average customer rating:

A Fabulous Field Guide - Sibley's now has competition
Nat Geo Bird Guide
Great Guide for Birding
Still the best in its field
Hawkeye Review

National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Fifth Edition (National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America)
Jon L. Dunn , and Jonathan Alderfer
Manufacturer: National Geographic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America
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The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America
The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America

ASIN: 0792253140
Release Date: 2006-11-07

Book Description

Birding is the fastest growing wildlife-related activity in the U.S., and even conservative estimates put the current number of U.S. birders at 50 million. According to the New York Times, some authorities predict that by 2050 there will be more than 100 million—and the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America will be the essential reference for field identification and the cornerstone of any birder's library. This is the ultimate, indispensable bird field guide—comprehensive, authoritative, portable, sturdy, and easier than ever to use.

Among the the new edition's key elements and practical improvements: Every North American species—more than 960, including a new section on accidental birds—classified according to the latest official American Ornithologists' Union checklist 4,000 full-color illustrations by the foremost bird artists at work todayand newly updated range maps that draw on the latest data New durable cover for added protection against adverse weather, plus informative quick-reference flaps that double as placemarkers New reader-friendly features like thumbtabs that make locating key sections faster and easier, and a quick-find index to direct users straight to the information they need.

Customer Reviews:

A Fabulous Field Guide - Sibley's now has competition.......2007-10-15

I've been using Sibley's Field Guide for the last three years, and my Western Sibley's is very well worn. But now, the field guide I refer to is the National Geographic. The new fifth edition is great. Rather than just list field marks, it offers tips on distinguishing similar species. The art is all new, and IMHO, very close to actual (compared to previous editions which were...schematic...[that's putting it kindly]).

Additionally, the submerged tabs are very handy, and they've picked up on putting the map in the back, like Sibleys.

My only complaints are that it's not a harder cover, and that I'd like it more narrow and tall, rather than wide and short. Nits. It's a fabulous field guide.

Nat Geo Bird Guide.......2007-10-03

I think this is a good field guide. I find the organization easy to use. The infomation is good and includes the regions where each bird can be found. The pictures and drawings of the birds were very thorough, ie the birds may be sitting or flying, male vs female, juveniles vs. adults, and extensive markings are identified.

I'm rather new to bird watching, so I only gave it 4 stars. I thought the more experienced watchers may have a different perspective.

Great Guide for Birding.......2007-09-07

As a novice birder, I find this book to be invaluable. Not only does it provide great photos, it also gives information that entices the reader to learn more and more. This is the text our birding instructor insists we all have in our libraries, and I certainly know why. The guide is a must for anyone interested in learning more about birds.

Still the best in its field.......2007-08-31

I've owned a previous edition of this field guide (it fell into a pond), and I think this continues as the clearest, most practical North American field guide I've found.

The text is simple and to the point. The illustrations are not always as beautiful or lifelike as the drawings or photographs in other guides, but are often much clearer, with useful distinguishing details always picked out well, and a range of plumages/postures shown when necessary. It's not posket sized, but it's not too large or heavy for a backpack or fannypack. As a practical field guide, this is my choice.

I haven't found any changes from the fourth edition that make much of a difference for me, so I wouldn't suggest buying this just as an upgrade.

Hawkeye Review.......2007-06-26

Excellent Field Guide for North American birds----I have owned numerous field guides and this one is by far the best. The bird pictures are excellent and easy to compare with the living specimens. Field notes and range maps are also excellent. A great birding guide that will not dissappoint. National Geographic continues to put out top quality publications.

The Singing Life of Birds: The Art and Science of Listening to Birdsong

Average customer rating:

"Not least,for just being there and singing,I thank the birds themselves."
An Excellent Book
The Singing Life of Birds
The Singing Life of Birds
out of this world!

The Singing Life of Birds: The Art and Science of Listening to Birdsong
Donald Kroodsma
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0618405682

Book Description

Listen to birds sing as you've never listened before, as the world-renowned birdsong expert Donald Kroodsma takes you on personal journeys of discovery and intrigue. Read stories of wrens and robins, thrushes and thrashers, warblers and whip-poor-wills, bluebirds and cardinals, and many more bird. Learn how each acquires its songs, how songs vary from bird to bird and place to place, how some birds' singing is especially beautiful or ceaseless or complex, how some do not sing at all, how the often quiet female has the last word, and why. Hear a baby wren and the author's own daughter babble as each learns its local dialect. Listen to the mockingbird by night and by day and count how many different songs he can sing. Marvel at the exquisite harmony in the duet of a wood thrush as he uses his two voice boxes to accompany himself. Feel the extraordinary energy in the songs just before sunrise as dawn's first light sweeps across this singing planet. Hear firsthand the unmistakable evidence that there are not one but two species of marsh wrens and two species of winter wrens in North America. Learn not only to hear but to see birds sing in the form of sonagrams, as these visual images dance across the pages while you listen to the accompanying CD. Using your trained ears and eyes, you can begin your own journeys of discovery. Listen anew to birds in your backyard and beyond, exploring the singing minds of birds as they tell all that they know. Join Kroodsma not only in identifying but in identifying with singing birds, connecting with nature's musicians in a whole new way.

Customer Reviews:

"Not least,for just being there and singing,I thank the birds themselves.".......2007-05-25

With over 1,000 "Bird Books" in my collection;it takes something real special to excite me. This book is such a special book. There are many books,records,tapes CD's and DVD'd that do an excellent job of teaching and describing bird songs so that with some practice you can recognize a large number of birds in the field.
Howerever,much more than showing a few ,typical songs of birds,so that you can recognize them when they call or sing;this book goes far deeper in showing you how to understand and appreciate bird song. There is much more to the song of a Chestnut-sided Warbler than the common "Pleased-pleased-pleased-to-MEETCHA." or the "whip-poor-Will" of the Whip-poor-will than one could ever imagine.In the case of the American Robin the author has found out how to tell one robin from another right in your own backyard. Obviously,it would take many years to learn and understand in detail all the songs of a large number of species as the author has done;but then he has studied birdsong for over 30 years and was recognized as "the reigning authority on the biology of avian vocal behavior"by the American Ornithologist's Union in 2003.
In this book,Kroodsma gives us the benefit of his vast knowledge,and it will certainly become "the book to have" for anyone who wants to give bird song serious study.His writing style is such that a very complicated subject can be understood and helpful;be the reader one who is a relative amateur or an extremely experienced birder.
One could almost start reading at any point in the book;but I would suggest,after the first chapter,turn to page 366,"Bird Sounds on the Compact Disc" and play the CD and follow the description for each track.You might even want to do do this a couple of times.
Another suggestion, once you have purused the book, would be to pick one of the birds the author has gone into detail with,and that are abundant near your home ,such as the American Robin,and really study the songs as the author explains.This can be done simply,as long as you don't try to get into advanced recording.A notepad,pen,seat and a cool drink will suffice.
At first glance this book might overwhelm you ;but don't let it.
I have two wonderful friends,sisters Joan and Gail,who I meet each spring at Point Pelee in Ontario. Joan was given this book by a friend,thought it was "too deep" for her;so she gave it to me. Thanks Joan,I love it.

An Excellent Book.......2007-04-04

I was looking for a book on bird song to give to a friend who is graduating from music school, and I bought the Kroodsma book on the recommendation of other Amazon reviewers, whom I can't thank enough for encouraging me to purchase this book. Having also purchased "Why Birds Sing" and "Birdsong: A Natural History" for my friend, I find that the Kroodsma is by far and away the better book, not only because it contains a cd, but because of the unique writing style that reflects a lifetime interest in and knowledge of the subject matter.

The Singing Life of Birds.......2007-01-10

A scientist's very personal record of the life and song of the great number of birds, including a CD with autor's recordings as well as the recordings of some of his colleagues. The extensive and interesting narrative is supplemented by many analyses of the structure of the bird's song. Author's interest and knowledge of music is reflected in comparing the birds' and human's music "appreciation". The sonagrams are shown in the text as well on the screen in their multifaceted form.

The Singing Life of Birds.......2007-01-10

Excellent service. Prompt shipping. The book is fascinating as is the accompanying CD. Would recommend to anyone with an interest in birds and wildlife.

out of this world!.......2006-07-30

One can only think the amount of knowledge Don has on bird sounds is in a different scale to the rest. But then he finds the way to transmit a good portion of it with simple and very easy to read stories and that becomes even more incredible. A very beautiful book in all senses.

National Geographic Complete Birds of North America (National Geographic)

Average customer rating:

Excellent content, unacceptale binding.
Alex's bird review
Great Content, Terrible Presentation
Terrific information
Best Bird Book Available

National Geographic Complete Birds of North America (National Geographic)
Jonathan Alderfer
Manufacturer: National Geographic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0792241754
Release Date: 2005-11-15

Book Description

Essential, comprehensive, and easy to use, National Geographic Complete Book of Birds is an astonishing resource that covers every bird species in North America, as well as all the migrants that fly through. The entries are organized by family groups-an incredible 82 are included-according to the American Ornithological Union guidelines. Within a family, each separate bird entry has dozens of tips and illustrations on species' genders, age groups, behavior, habitats, nesting and feeding habits, and migration routes. Readers will also find unique features, such as:A quick-find index for the most common bird groups and a full glossaryStraightforward, accessible text by numerous birding experts, including National Geographic's resident birding consultant Jonathan AlderferHundreds of range and migration maps from renowned ornithologist Paul Lehman with National Geographic cartographersState-of-the-art, updated bird illustrations by expert artists, including Jonathan AlderferNew and original photographs from well-known bird photographers Kevin Karlson and Brian Small

Perfect for novice or experienced birders alike, National Geographic Complete Book of Birds is a definitive, must-have resource. Quite simply, there is no other volume like it.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent content, unacceptale binding........2007-07-01

This book has excellent content, but the first printing had the stiff binding that wouldn't allow the book to open fully, making it very difficult to read. The second printing has a more flexible spine where the pages are just stuck to it. After four months of very casual use, the pages began falling out. This is the poorest bound book that I have ever seen.

Alex's bird review.......2007-07-01

Birdwatchers,hello! I am an 8-year old birder. If you love birds and need some good information 'Nat Geo's Complete Birds of North America' has great info on behavior, identification and other important bird stuff! It is the first book I look at if my family or a friend describes a bird they saw today.

I reccomend this highly, and you can buy it at almost every bookstore or library.

Great Content, Terrible Presentation.......2006-06-10

The single most noticeable thing about this book is how poorly it was manufactured. The spine seems to be made from steel making it impossible to ever fully open the book and an exercise in frustration to read. This problem is greatly exacerbated by the fact that the text runs way down into the deep dark recesses of the crevasse created by the horrible binding. The actaully printing however is very good. The pictures are clear with good color and the paper is of high quality. This makes it even more of a shame that the binding is so bad.

The actual content of the book is quite good. Most of the illustrations were taken from the National Geographic Field Guide as were the maps. The maps have been increased in size which is a definite help. Every species accepted by the ABA is covered with its own write-up. Not surprisingly, some of the rarer species receive much less of a write-up then the regular ones.

In the end I believe that the poor production qualities fatally flaw the book and can only recommend to the bird book obsessed like myself.

Terrific information.......2006-03-07

Well written, good information, well organized. Not a field guide but one of the best reference books I've seen.

Best Bird Book Available.......2006-03-02

In typical National Geographic fashion, this book is excellent. It is extremely comprehensive with outstanding artwork. This is a must have for anyone who enjoys birding. You should also buy the National Geographic Field Guide to Birds of North America as an easy to carry companion.

Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America

Average customer rating:

Love this book
great pictures, makes it easy to identify birds
A book in the hand
Great indexing--especially for beginners
Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America

Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America
Kenn Kaufman
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Turtleback

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ASIN: 0618574239

Amazon.com

World-renowned birder Kenn Kaufman addresses a long-running paradox of bird field guides with his Focus Guide. While beginning birdwatchers prefer photographic guides like those by Donald Stokes, the physical traits that make identification easier are more readily discerned in the idealized paintings of illustrative guides like those by Roger Tory Peterson and National Geographic. Kaufman's groundbreaking work combines the best of both approaches by digitally enhancing photographic images to show the characteristics that are sometimes not apparent in photographs.

Some other distinguishing features include:

The guide is organized by bird family groupings rather than strict taxonomic classification; this is a feature that will appeal especially to beginners.
Text descriptions and range maps for each species appear on the page facing the plate of respective bird images.
Important field marks are highlighted.
Color-coded tabs identify each grouping of birds (waders, warblers, sparrows, etc.) for quick thumb indexing.

Kaufman's efforts follow the auspicious tradition of Roger Tory Peterson, whose portable field guide system was the first of its kind to meet the needs of the average birdwatcher. "It's the guide I've always wanted," says Kaufman, "and I suspect most birders will feel the same way."

Book Description

In 2000 Houghton Mifflin first published the Kaufman Focus Guide to the Birds of North America. Critically acclaimed for its innovative design, the Kaufman guide began introducing a new generation to birding. In 2005, this new Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America is now the most up-to-date field guide, including dozens of changes by the American Ornithologists" Union in official names of birds; the addition of new species to reflect the latest scientific discoveries; and dozens of updated range maps. Additional information helps beginning birdwatchers get started, all in the same compact format that has made this guide the easiest to use for fast identification in the field.

Customer Reviews:

Love this book.......2007-08-22

We use this all the time to identify the birds around us and when we travel. Great pictures!

great pictures, makes it easy to identify birds.......2007-06-12

we were replacing a golden field guide to birds that got dunked in the water....this one is great! Sturdy binding, good indexing, great pictures, I find it very easy to use. We enjoy identifying the birds around our home in Minnesota but are not "birdwatchers". I would recommend it highly.

A book in the hand.......2007-04-02

Kaufman's book is beautifully organized and illustrated. The descriptions are brief as befits a book intended as a pocketable field guide but the salient points for identification are presented clearly. It is not absolutely complete for the sake of brevity but the species omitted are not very likely to be encountered. If needed a local area supplement could be used. It serves its purpose very well indeed.

Great indexing--especially for beginners.......2007-03-26

My 7 year old has recently become fascinated with birds. We had a little backyard guide, but it just wasn't enough. I went to the bookstore to look at the different guides available & really loved the way this book is indexed. In the front, you see pictures of groups of birds, the name of the group & a color band--the book section has the matching color band.

It's really easy for my daughter to see a bird, glance over the first groups of pictures in the front index, pick the group that it looks like, then find the colored section in the book & find the exact bird! There isn't a ton of info no the birds, mostly just region info, food, call, etc--but pictures include males, females & juveniles--which is very nice--the maps are also very clear, so it's easy to see if it might be in your area.

We love this book & highly recommend it to beginners who don't know much about birds & their groups, etc!

For further information on the birds, we also bought the DK (Dorling Kindersley) Guide to Birds of North America--we bought the Eastern, but they also make a Western. It's 24.99 at the book store, but you can get it for less than 10 here on amazon--it goes into great detail about each bird, has tons of color pictures of the birds, their nests, eggs, babies, etc--very educational--we will use it to learn more about the birds once we spot them in our Kaufman guide.

We also ordered, on a whim & because it was only 83 cents on amazon, The Complete Birdhouse Book--The Easy Guide to Attracting Nesting Birds by Donald & Lillian Stokes. When it arrived I was overjoyed with how wonderful this book is--it is full color, talks in-depth about the bird life-cycle with full color pictures & specifically what different birds need in a home--and thus, how to construct it! What beginner ever knew the hole size, hole to floor measurement & inside dimensions & total height were so important--not to mention where it is placed & what type of things to leave in your yard for nesting material! Also, how to control predators & pests & other useful information. Full color pictures again & highly educational---a good companion for anyone wanting to attract birds to their yard!

Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America.......2007-03-21

By my side constantly. My old guide was over 10 years old & used in MD & NJ. Now in AL I can start again .. the pictures are vivid. Great detail on attacting birds and easy for me to identify the new ones here in a new local.

Can start again on listing the dates I see my NEW birds. Glad I bought this one.

Average customer rating:

The Definitive Guide to ShoreBirds
Shorebird Guide
The Shorebirds of North America
This is indeed THE guide to shorebirds
the shorebird guide

The Shorebird Guide
Richard Crossley , Kevin Karlson , and Michael O'Brien
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Turtleback

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ASIN: 0618432949

Book Description

When many birders go out looking at shorebirds, they see a distant mud flat full of grayish brown birds in various shapes and sizes and have no idea where to begin the identification process.

When advanced birders look at that same flock of shorebirds, they can identify the vast majority of birds with a quick binocular scan. Experts use the simplest, most easily observed characteristicsâsize, structure, behavior, and general color patternsâalmost subconsciously, and can identify most birds even before looking carefully at plumage details.

Now birders of all levels can learn how to identify these wildly popular birds quickly and with much less effort. This guide provides more than 870 stunning color photographs, sequenced to give a general impression of a species first and progressing to a more detailed image of the bird throughout its life cycle. Captions list characteristics in order of importance, reflecting the thought process that experts use to identify birds.

Customer Reviews:

The Definitive Guide to ShoreBirds.......2007-07-29

Of all of the information available that involves Shorebirds, this book is equal to none. It provides the most organized and complete understanding of the complicated life cycles of these birds. The photograpy is excellent not only in its quality but also in its visualizations of the different life cycles. The book advances how we look upon these types of birds by drawing refined attention to their life cycles and their ecosystems. This is a must have for all birders libraries.

Shorebird Guide .......2007-05-14

An excellent shorebird guide. The best I have ever owned. Extremely helpful in teaching you HOW to identify shorebirds.

The Shorebirds of North America.......2007-03-12

Haven't seen The Shorebird Guide, sounds wonderful, but I found no reference, in the 17 or 18 reviews, to Bob Clem's Shorebirds of North America(1967). I find paintings, from Peterson to Sibley, much more satisfing than photographs: there is something in a painting that captures the soul of the bird that the photo just can't do. And then Pete Matthiessen wrote the text for Bob's paintings. A dynamic duo! Just went to a "Wine and Woodcocks" event at JEDSAS, an Audubon sanctuary across the creek from our village of Neavitt, in Maryland. I look forward to seeing their copy of The Shorebird Guide. But why do we forget such a classic shorebird book that was only 40 years ago?

This is indeed THE guide to shorebirds.......2007-02-23

This is perhaps the best bird family guide that I've seen. It is definitely the best identification guide to this difficult group of birds.
The book focuses more on size and shape rather than plumage. Therefore, the photos aren't like other guides. They are not all uniformly sized super close-up shots of a single bird. Instead they are sized to better emphasize certain characteristics. They often show multiple birds of different species so as to give a better comparison of size, shape, and plumage.

One of the best features of the guide is the questions in some captions. Most species have at least one question in one of their photo captions. The questions ask the reader to do such things as identify some of the species in the photo, or to pick out one particular species among all the birds present. The answers are contained in an appendix in the back. These questions force the reader to apply the knowledge and techniques imparted by the authors and look more critically and actively at the photograph.

I can't recommend this book enough.

the shorebird guide.......2007-01-11

Excellent coverage on shorebirds....good fotos with comparative fotos really outstanding....any serious birder in the tropics can get great value out of this book

All Things Reconsidered: My Birding Adventures

Average customer rating:

A set of vivid vignettes perfect for that avid birder.
A Very Good Book
Fitting Tribute

All Things Reconsidered: My Birding Adventures
Roger Tory Peterson
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Nature Writing | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0618758623

Book Description

Ten years after Roger Tory Peterson's death, his unique perspective on birding comes to life in these highly personal narratives. Here he relates his adventures during a lifetime of birding and traveling the world to observe and record nature. Whether it is in writing about the time when his boat capsized in freezing water off the coast of Maine while he, then in his eighties, was filming a documentary, or about his experiences searching for the ivory-billed woodpecker, Peterson's sense of adventure and curiosity cannot be extinguished. The accomplished illustrator and writer was nearly as passionate about photography as he was about painting, and each essay is illustrated with Peterson's own photographs. The essays included here were carefully selected by Bill Thompson III, the editor of Bird Watcher's Digest, in which the columns originally appeared.

Customer Reviews:

A set of vivid vignettes perfect for that avid birder........2007-03-05

All Things Reconsidered: My Birding Adventures is an excellent pick for any who have long known of and used Roger Tory Peterson's birding guides, which have become leading industry references in the fine art of bird identification. A decade after his death comes a personal collection which blends color photos and line drawings with a passionate survey of the bird world, selected by the editor of Bird Watcher's Digest which ran his column 'All Things Reconsidered' during the last twelve years of his life. His adventures traveling the world are captured in a set of vivid vignettes perfect for that avid birder.

A Very Good Book.......2007-01-26

This was purchased as a gift, but before I wrapped it I read four of the essays. Enjoyed them very much and learnd some things. It has some excellent illustrations, too. I'm going to buy a copy for myself. Sorry I haven't read more for this review.

Fitting Tribute.......2006-12-27

The author, who died ten years ago, is the well-known originator of the Peterson's Field Guides. This book makes available to a wider audience a selection of columns he wrote for a bird magazine. In them, he takes us all over the world and familiarizes us with a wide variety of birds, other wildlife, and people. His prose style is a beauty in itself. The editor has updated the articles in small but important ways.

The book uses quality paper to enhance the photographs, and quality type. It must be one of the finest books produced so far this century, and at the Amazon price it is truly a steal. All in all, a fitting tribute to the author, who obviously was loved by many. A joy to own, to read, and to recommend.

Identify Yourself: The 50 Most Common Birding Identification Challenges

Average customer rating:

Very educational !!!!!
A Book for all Birders
Identify Yourself
Well worth it, and great value as well.
Excellent book for Beginner and Intermediate Birders

Identify Yourself: The 50 Most Common Birding Identification Challenges
Bill Thompson III
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0618514694

Book Description

Written by the experts at Bird Watcher's Digest, Identify Yourself gives beginning and intermediate bird watchers a helping hand with some of the most confounding identification challenges -- birds that are commonly encountered but difficult to tell apart. Combining clear, easy-to-understand text with beautiful illustrations that show key field marks, Identify Yourself is the solution to identifying many of North America's hard-to-distinguish birds..

Customer Reviews:

Very educational !!!!!.......2007-01-19

As a bird fan, I really wanted to get this to help me learn as much as possible about feathered friends, and it sure does deliver! One disappointment however, it left out some species that summer here in the last frontier!!Other than that, this is a great book! Good for yourself,or as a gift for that birder you know!!!

A Book for all Birders.......2007-01-03

I discovered this book by accident and found it very useful. I am a relative novice at birding and this book has really helped make me a better birder. The Top 20 Rules of the Bird Identification Game make this book well worth the price. But it isn't just for beginners. I bought a copy for a friend who is a very accomplished birder and she has found it very useful in identifying gulls. For me the sparrows are difficult and this book has made it easier. I can actually identify many of those LBJ's (little brown jobs).

Identify Yourself.......2006-08-31

I've been looking for a book like this for a while. I highly recommend it to anyone that needs a little bird identification help and is confused on similar looking species. It offers many useful tips and a lot of great advice. This is not the book, however, if you're looking to identify flycatchers or specific shorebirds. Besides that, though, this is a fantastic book.

Well worth it, and great value as well........2006-05-22

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to get into the details of bird ID. Pitfalls and difficult problems are emphasized. For example, there is a whole chapter on how to distinguish the immature bald eagle from the golden eagle. Some of those tricky problems seem to be glossed over in the usual field manual, only to present unexpected difficulty later. This is not an introductory text, but it is an easy and entertaining read. Well worth it, and different than the vast majority of texts.

Excellent book for Beginner and Intermediate Birders.......2006-02-25

This is an excellent book for sorting out and identifying those tricky birds that are difficult to distinguish from one another. It is aimed at beginners and intermediates, but still provides helpful points for advanced birders. Julie Zickafoose does an beautiful job at the illustrations, and Bill Thompson clearly outlines the differences between similar species. This is a good book to own if you are having troubles with identifications.

Letters From Eden: A Year at Home, in the Woods

Average customer rating:

Letters From Eden
What a wonderful book, full of everyday wonders
It's like conversing with a friend.
It's a truly lovely book
A Natural Gift

Letters From Eden: A Year at Home, in the Woods
Julie Zickefoose
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Natural History | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books

Nature Writing | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

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Out of the Woods: A Bird Watcher's Year
Return to Wild America: A Yearlong Search for the Continent's Natural Soul
Songbird Journeys: Four Seasons In the Lives of Migratory Birds

ASIN: 0618573089

Book Description

A frequent commentator for NPR's All Things Considered, Julie Zickefoose has painted nature virtually all her life. She knew at the age of seven that she wanted to paint birds for a living, and her lifelong dedication shows in her paintings, which are meticulously accurate as well as beautiful. The paintings used here, of scenes from her beloved southern Ohio home, illuminate well-crafted essays based on her daily walks and observations. Wild turkeys, coyotes, box turtles, and a bird-eating bullfrog flap, lope, and leap through her prose. She excels at describing and exploring the interactions between people and animals, bringing her subjects to life in just a few lines. Her husband and young children make appearances, presenting their own challenges and pleasures. Starting with winter, the essays are arranged by season, providing a sense of movement through the year.

Customer Reviews:

Letters From Eden.......2007-08-07

This is a wonderful little book. Julie Zickefoose is a writer, illustrator, and contributor to NPR. In this book, organized by the seasons of the year, she shares her experiences living on her 80-acre farm in southern Ohio. She brings a sense of wonder to seemingly mundane things such as squabbling starlings and the wreck of her vegetable garden.There are sad points, such as euthanising a little opossum caught in a steel trap, but most of the book is devoted to happier topics. I really enjoyed reading it.

What a wonderful book, full of everyday wonders.......2007-05-16

Experience the seasons with Julie and her family on their wildlife sanctuary in the Appalachian foothills in southern Ohio. A gem of a book, if you love birds and other animals... very real and full of the wonder of everyday happenings - if you keep your eyes open.

It's like conversing with a friend........2007-04-11

I loved Ms. Zickefoose's little book. It's a publication one reads in small doses, enjoying her comments and her art. The style is like having a really good conversation with an interesting, accomplished naturalist. I would recommend it for anyone who enjoys nature.

It's a truly lovely book .......2007-02-03

Author Julie Zikefoose is a frequent commentator on NPR's 'All Things Considered', and has painted nature all her life - so her book reflects not only an avid nature writer's appreciation for the wild, but a set of seasonal essays accompanied by black and white and color drawings that provide lovely first-person reflections. It's a truly lovely book highly recommended for either coffee table display at home or a public library acquisition.

A Natural Gift.......2007-01-29

Emile Zola wrote, "The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work." In Julie Zickefoose?s book "Letters From Eden," you will find both. The gift shines from every page, in her glowing watercolors, in her lyrical prose, and in her obvious passion for the natural world around her. The work is evident in her field notes and pencil sketches, and in the tales she tells. The effort she exerts when protecting nesting piping plovers on a busy beach along the Connecticut coastline, climbing ladders to replace baby birds in their nests, or rehabilitating box turtles is demanding. If you would ask Julie however, she would not call this work, but a way of life, her life in the little piece of Ohio she calls Eden.

Come along with her as she shares her discoveries during a walk in the woods, or celebrates spring with tree swallows playing with feathers, or grieves for an opossum found dying in a trap. From the hilarious to the tragic, with the drama of a poisonous snake thrown in, "Letters From Eden" strikes just the right chord. Anyone with an interest in nature will feel right at home with this book. I know I did.

Backyard Bird Identification Guide (T.F.H. Wild Birds Series)

Average customer rating:

Partial Backyard Bird Identification
Nice reference book
Bird Identification
Save your money.
Backyard Bird Identification Guide

Backyard Bird Identification Guide (T.F.H. Wild Birds Series)
Jerry G. Walls
Manufacturer: TFH Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 079383578X

Customer Reviews:

Partial Backyard Bird Identification.......2007-05-30

It is a nice book but did not contain exactly what I was looking for - until you actually have it in your hands, there is no way to know. I am not sorry I bought it but this information was contained in other books I have.

Nice reference book.......2007-05-28

This is a good book for the novice birdwatcher, like myself. It shows the most common birds in color photographs along with info on each. A great starter book for wild bird lovers.

Bird Identification.......2007-05-20

This book was given as a gift and the receiver hasn't had it long enough for a comprehensive review. However, a brief look throught the book found it detailed and illustrated great. It is still hard to identify a bird if you are not aware of it's name. The birds don't remain at the feeder that long and to go through the book takes time.
The suggestion for scopes and bins is helpful as these tools are needed. If the receiver is persistent in following the suggestions, I believe the book will prove to be useful.

Save your money........2007-05-13

This book does not amout to much. There is little information and not many birds.

Backyard Bird Identification Guide.......2007-02-18

I got the book for my husband. He received a very nice bird feeder as a gift and was wanting to know what some of his guests are. Some of them he knew, but a lot of them he did'nt. The book helps a lot.

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