Bird Field Guides

(continued from Bird Watching Tips)

Two Major Bird Field Guides:

There are two major field guides that many birders use: National Geographic's Field Guide to the Birds of North America and Peterson Field Guides, Eastern Birds and Western Birds.

Geographic Coverage of Field Guides:

National Geographic includes all species known to breed in North America - described as the land extending northward from the northern border of Mexico, plus adjacent islands and seas within about 200 miles of the coast. Also included are species that breed in Mexico or Central America or on other continents but are seen in North America when they spend the winter here or pass through on regular migration routes.

So if you plan to purchase only one guide and will be visiting areas across North America often, perhaps National Geographic would be your best choice. The newest edition is out November 7th, 2006.

Peterson, on the other hand, divides his bird field guides into Eastern and Western Birds. The Western guide covers North America west of the 100th meridian. The Eastern Guide covers North America east of the 100th meridian.

In the U.S. the logical division of the avifauna is along the belt between the 100th meridian (midway across Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas) and the edge of the Rockies.

Peterson states that people living in that ecological "twilight zone" described above will find that A Field Guide to Western Birds covers all species they are likely to encounter. Those of you who live in Texas may want to get Peterson's, A Field Guide to the Birds of Texas.

Advantages and Disadvantages:

There are advantages and disadvantages to each guide book. Some people like National Geographic because the range maps are on the same page as the bird description, while Peterson's maps are all in the back of the book.

Personally, I like Peterson guides for several reasons. For each bird, there is arrow pointing to the most important field marks for identification. The font size of the descriptions are larger and easier to read than National Geographic's. I also like how categories of voice, range, and habitat are bolded and described.

Because Peterson's guides focus on either Western or Eastern/Central birds, it's easier to find a bird. I don't have to thumb through lots of pages of birds that don't even occur where I live and go birding. Its also a smaller book than N.G. and therefore fits easier into fanny packs, cargo pockets, etc.

Note: There is a Peterson Large Format Field Guide version of the Eastern Birds with larger easier to read text and illustrations.

Okay, so I have to look in the back of Peterson guides for maps. But most of the time I don't need to see a map. And if I do want to see one, it only takes a few seconds to find it since the map # is given next to the bird description.

I personally own National Geographic, both Western and Eastern Peterson Guides, and Audubon's. On all my local outings, I take my Western Peterson Guide. If I visit the east I take N.G. or Eastern Peterson or both. It's sometimes nice to have more than one representation of a bird when figuring out a difficult one.

Other Bird Field Guides:

If you're going to purchase one field guide, I don't recommend one that only has actual photographs such as Audubon's or Stokes*.

*Although I highly recommend the Stokes Bird Behavior series and the Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior.

In a photo of a bird, you are seeing one individual of that species, in one light condition, in one molt stage, etc. It's also difficult to see field marks on photographs. Use these guides only as a secondary source.

Golden guides have not been updated since the 80s (only cosmetic features in 2001). The plates are more simplistic and don't offer as much detail, especially with juvenile plumages, alternate plumage forms, etc. Their eastern guide has more detail, but the Golden Birds Guide is much more simplistic and can be a useful beginner guide, especially for children. However, you will soon outgrow it and want more details.

Hope you've enjoyed this review of bird field guides. Now take your book, go outside and find some birds and enjoy the bliss!

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