There are many great
field
guides to the birds of North America. All students in this course
must
have a field guide starting with the first lab! Which one you
use is up to you. Note: If you
already own a field guide to the birds of North America or eastern
North
America, you do not need to purchase one of these books. Simply
bring your book to the first lab and the GA's and I will assess if it
is appropriate.
Recommendations:
1. The Sibley Field Guide to
Birds of Eastern North America. The second edition called
"Sibley BIrds East" and it is great. This book covers
only birds of
eastern North America. The plates are the same excellent plates as in
"The Sibley Guide to Birds" (see below) but it is much smaller and fits
in your pocket. Price is presently $32.
2. The Sibley Guide to Birds (2nd Edition).
This book covers all birds in North America -- and it was recently
updated (2014). The plates are amazing and
depict each bird in several different plumages and poses. The only
downside to this book, if there is one, is that it is larger than the
average field guide and doesn't fit in your pocket. Price is typically
double the Sibley East book. This would be a good choice if you also
travel to the
west coast of North America sometimes.
3. National Geographic Field
Guide to the Birds of North America. This book covers all birds
in North America and is relatively small. The plates are very good.
This was my first field guide.
4. The Peterson Field Guide to
the Birds of
Eastern and Central North America. This is the classic bird
field guide and is still favoured by many ornithologists and
birders. It is a pocket sized book, like books 1 and 3 above, and
the plates are very good.
There are many good bird guides for mobile devices. However, these are
not appropriate for this class because I want to teach you how to
birdwatch without the distractions of a connected device. Old school!
Posted January
2024
