Comments on: New Birder Experience – What is the Best Field Guide to Birds?

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[...] August 2009 We discussed one of the many bird cliches: The Catbird Seat As part of the New Birder Experience we tried to pick the best field guide for new birders [...]

By: The Birdfreak Team

The Birdfreak Team — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:07:09 +0000

Becky – thanks for the comment. I am mixed about checklists in the guides. I think they are neat but I don’t use them much, especially because the guides get updated and then I don’t want to transfer the list. Plus, using multiple guides can add to the complication of having an in-guide checklist. Definitely a great idea to keep guides in the car. I have one at work too because people are always asking me what bird such and such is and they describe it and then I can show them.

By: Becky

Becky — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 03:59:32 +0000

I started with a Peterson’s Guide many years ago when I was an art major in college. I have always loved his illustrations! On artwork I’d give Peterson an “A” and Sibley a “B”. Just get out both of your books and compare them side-by-side. My dream bird guide would be a Sibley’s with Peterson illustrations.
I appreciate Sibley’s multiple views. I especially like having the map and the information on the same page – very helpful – you don’t have to keep flipping around. I would like to have a bird check-list in my Sibley’s. It’s fun to look back at what I have seen.
I keep both books under the seat in my car with some binocs. When I get home I check out the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website for more info. and their McCauley Library of birds sounds and video – terrific!
Happy Birding.

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:08:25 +0000

Sibley is definitely my preference east or west of the Mississippi.

By: The Birdfreak Team

The Birdfreak Team — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:49:23 +0000

Dawn – thanks! It would be interesting to know just how many birders own Sibley guides… guessing it is a ton!

By: Dawn Fine

Dawn Fine — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:57:56 +0000

good post..I am enjoying reading the comments as well…We live in a motorhome so We Try not to carry too many books.
We have sibleys and national geographic.

By: The Birdfreak Team

The Birdfreak Team — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:44:23 +0000

Adam – completely forgot about the Stokes guide, probably because it is somewhere at the parent’s house. The Kaufman is a good one and has stood up to a lot of abuse but only on the cover.

Christine – Paintings do have the advantage of highlighting specifics over photos but I understand some birders find this a bit misleading at times.

We’ll try to get a post out on scopes but it may be a bit general and not brand specific; what to look for when getting one. We started with a fairly inexpensive Eagle Optics brand and it did the job for a few years.

By: Christine

Christine — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:42:19 +0000

I’m a new birder and I love my Eastern Sibley. But I’ve never used a different one in the field. I prefer the paintings to the photos because I know every mark and color were put in the paintings for a reason, but with photos I don’t recognize subtle differences as easily.

I’d also love to see a post on begining scopes cause I would like to get one but can’t spend money on a super high quality scope. I’d love to know what experienced birders think the best scope for a small budget is.

By: Adam

Adam — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:15:57 +0000

I am new to birding, although I have had the Audobon and Peterson guides for a few years. When I saw the Kaufman and Stokes guide, I was sold. They both show the birds in a common stance, which is helpful in the field. The color coding on the pages makes it easy to find the section I’m looking for, and the quick references in the front and back of the books comes in handy. I also like the fact that so far, they both seem fairly water resistant. While I also have other books for reference (N.W.F., Audobon, Peterson), and some more specific books (sparrows and finches, warblers, hawks, nests, bird behavior, etc.), the Stokes and Kaufman guides go everywhere I go. I keep one in my car and one in my work vehicle.

By: The Birdfreak Team

The Birdfreak Team — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:41:12 +0000

Erik – excellent points. The National Geographic is a good one.

Patrick – Kaufman was high on the list for this test, especially after pointing out the intentional removal of “clutter” from the photographs. You can hardly go wrong with Peterson (even the new edition).

Robert – Superb point about taking notes and drawing in the field. This is something that will be part of a future post on this topic. It is difficult to get into (especially for those who can’t draw well) but it is worth it for building birding skills.

By: Robert Mortensen

Robert Mortensen — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:02:51 +0000

I started with Sibley’s Guide to Birds of Western North America and it is still my preferred field guide. I have copies of others at home too for cross-checking.

In order to step up my birding skills I am currently going field guide-less in the field. I am focusing on looking harder at the bird and taking notes and making drawings. When I get home, then I look at the field guide. I can already notice my skills improving.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:32:16 +0000

I agree with Erik. I typically recommend Peterson to new birders, but not the new bulky one. I like the prior Eastern edition since it’s more compact. Sibley can be a bit overwhelming. I like the simplicity of Peterson with the field mark system. Kaufman also gets some votes. A lot of beginners seem to like the photos. It can also be overwhelming since it has all of NA in it.

By: Erik

Erik — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:46:17 +0000

Favorite field guide: National Geographic

Favorite for new birders: depends on age. For younger birders I recommend Bill Thompson’s “The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of Eastern North America”. For others, Peterson. The Peterson guide is easier for a new birder to use over the Sibley because they can riffle through the pages easily. The layout of the Sibley puts the birds on the left hand page in the spine. Watch a new birder use their guide. They’ll spend a lot of time riffling from the back to the front or vice versa until they get the feel of the guide and the layout.