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Post by steffy on Sept 2, 2008 18:29:47 GMT -8
Hello everyone , while camping last month i left my guide book somewhere, ( hope whoever finds if enjoys it ) i was curious what books you guys would recommend , my old guide was for north america and i really only need it for BC . Any help would be great thanks in advance.
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Post by Gord on Sept 2, 2008 21:29:26 GMT -8
Hi and welcome Steffy! Sorry for your loss!  Ive been there. A replacement I would suggest is Sibley's Guide to Birds of Western North America. I have several guides, but this is the one I use the most. To be fair to the other guides, they are older books and the Sibley's is new by at about 20 years. Still, I am familiar with the other new guides out there (would still buy them and will some day) but still think Sibley's is among the finest. www.sibleyguides.com/sibley_western.htm |
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Post by Lynn Miller on Sept 7, 2008 5:59:37 GMT -8
I too use the Sibley Western Guide to Birds and can highly recommend it. However, the 5th edition of the National Geographic Society Field Guide to the Birds of North America is the most current in regards to taxonomic order placement of the birds. Also, the NGS field guide is more inclusive of rare asian birds to western North America.
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Post by Gord on Sept 7, 2008 21:36:30 GMT -8
That's a great book, Lynn. When In the market to expand my fieldguide collection that one is on the top of the list. I like looking over the rarities documented in North America too!
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Post by lynnmi on Sept 8, 2008 9:17:22 GMT -8
I have been following the reports of the sighting of a Variegated Flycatcher in south central Washington on Tweeters. This bird is illustrated in NGS along with the Piratic Flycatcher which was also considered in the identification. Neither is shown in Sibley's Western Guide to the Birds nor his larger, more complete, guide to the Birds of North America. Another reason for consideration of the NGS guide; although tropical species are extremely rare in the Pacific Northwest.
Lynn
Ly
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Post by tmanson on Sept 8, 2008 11:25:33 GMT -8
Lynn: I think your last point is a particular good one. I, too, looked up the Variegated Flycatcher in my Nat Geo., when I saw the postings on Tweeters. Even if this bird only shows up once in our area, it was nice to see it covered in this guide. I have the larger version of Sibley, and I like looking at this guide as well; ( always good for comparisons ). Just to further " muddy the waters ", if we are taking about the latest guide, according to the ABA Journal, it would have to be Peterson's Field Guide to the Birds of North America.
Obviously, Peterson is no longer with us, so others at his publishers have taken up the torch. Haven't seen it, but if someone is looking for the latest?
If a person was feeling flush, I would also recommend Pete Dunne's Essential Field Guide Companion to the birds of North America. It has no paintings, or photographs, which may seem ridiculous, and for that reason, can't be used as a primary guide. However, because of this, he can go into a lot more detail on things like bird behaviour, which can be very helpful in bird identification. Cheers, Thor
Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.
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Post by lynnmi on Sept 8, 2008 13:15:02 GMT -8
Thor: You are right about the Peterson guide. I have had it for several weeks now and should have remembered it. For me personally, it will not replace either Sibley's or the NGS for use in the field. It is still a worthwhile guide to get. If anyone is interested, I noticed it on sale at the Mission Save-On-Foods store for only $19.95.
Lynn
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Ive been there. A replacement I would suggest is Sibley's Guide to Birds of Western North America. I have several guides, but this is the one I use the most. To be fair to the other guides, they are older books and the Sibley's is new by at about 20 years. Still, I am familiar with the other new guides out there (would still buy them and will some day) but still think Sibley's is among the finest.