How to Choose a Birding Field Guide
Every bird watcher needs a good birding field guide. The field guide should be both portable and durable. Buy a guide that is for your region and gives a good amount of information and pictures of each species. Check for others recommendations or the guide’s rating before purchasing.
- Know the location the field guide to birds is for. Though some guides may cover large areas, such as all of North America, there are more specific guides for certain regions or geographic locations that attract specific birds.
- Look for guides that are recommended, have a good reputation or are from a reputable publisher. National Geographic has a Field Guide to the Bird’s of North America. The Peterson Field Guide to North American Birds and The National Audubon Society’s Field Guide to North American Birds (Eastern and Western region additions) received four and a half out of five star ratings.
- Find a field guide to birds with detailed information. A good birding field guide will include distinctive behaviors, what the breed will eat, nesting habits, patterns of migration, unique bird sounds, and show juvenile markings and species variations.
- Be sure the guide has excellent images. First-rate guides will have a combination of drawn pictures and photographs. The birds should be displayed from different angles.
- Locate a guide that is portable, easy to use and durable. Bird watchers want to carry the birding field guide with them. Therefore, it should be a small size to be easy to transport. One that fits in a pocket is ideal. A spiral bound book is also easy to use. Hardcover copies are preferable to paperback as they will be carried in pockets and nap sacks while being used outdoors.