Bird watching is a hobby that appeals to many people. Most bird watchers know how important it is to learn the different bird species and their calls. That knowledge can be a big help when you’re out in nature looking for birds. But what if you don’t know where to start? What books are best for learning about birds, and what should you look for in one? If you are one of those people, or know someone who is, and need some great books on the subject, we have compiled the top 5 best bird watching books ever written! These books cover everything from identification to migration patterns. So if you want to learn more about these beautiful creatures, read on!
5 Best Bird Watching Books on the Market
National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds: Eastern Region
Welcome to the Eastern Region of North America! This is your go-to guide for those birds that are native to eastern North America. Should you find yourself in the company of these birds, whether they’re perched on a branch or flying past your head; this book is sure help you identify them and learn something new about their ongoing survival.
Think of it as a reliable friend with text and picture reminders that can be trusted by birders across eastern North America—whether armchair or credentialed alike!
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America
The National Geographic Field Guide to Birds of North America is one of the most comprehensive and up-to-date guides on the market. In this revised edition, American ornithologists have revised the taxonomy, so now every bird description is accurately placed in accordance with their scientific classification. The book includes detailed illustrations for each species (many never before seen), as well as diverse habitats across North America that are accompanied by descriptions of birds commonly found there, making it an indispensable resource for both novice and experienced birders alike.
Whether you live anywhere from Big Sur to Chicago or Alaska to Florida, let this guide lead you through the continent’s spectacular avian diversity: over 1000 different species which are just about everything you need to know about North America’s birds.
I found this book at the top of my list because it is comprehensive and offers a lot for someone who doesn’t have an extensive background in bird watching, but still wants some guidance on what they should be looking out for when identifying new species. This guide has more than 700 photographs that are sure to inspire any budding birder or nature enthusiast, with sections dedicated to identification clues like habitat preferences and distinct markings so you can start filling up your life lists as soon as possible.
The Sibley Guide to Birds
This is the most comprehensive and authoritative field guide to North American birds ever published.
This handbook has everything you need: more than 7,000 stunning color illustrations; descriptions of all species found in North America-including rare, vagrant, accidental, and introduced birds; range maps for every bird showing wintering grounds as well as summer and resident ranges; full text describing identification marks for males/females of each species with size comparisons within families; tips on how to identify difficult groups such as waterbirds or owls; handy tables of similar looking birds that are often confused with one another (such as crows).
That book has more than 700 updated maps of ranges, showing winter, summer, year-round and migration ranges.
Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central North America
Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central North America is an illustrated two-in-one pocket guide that provides you with all of the information, tools, and convenience you need for identifying North American birds.
Inside these books, they will help teach you everything from how to use a birdfeeder to identify your backyard visitors to what this little brown warbler has in store for us. With over 1200 paintings and photographs on virtually every known species east of the Rockies, there are far too many illustrations for each page; so be sure to turn them as often as possible so that they don’t become stale or repetitive!
With all-new range maps, updated text, and 40 new paintings, the completely revised editions of two classic Peterson Field Guides are sure to be valuable additions to any birder’s pocket or daypack.
At a trim size of 5 x 8, they are portable but also beautifully illustrated so that one is able to identify birds on sight with quick reference to the Peterson System for easily distinguishing species.
Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America
The Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America was an essential part of the birding community for generations. Supposedly, it even helped launch many a young birder’s career. It has now been redesigned with new features and the latest information, making your life in the field easier than ever before.
This field guide is organized by bird family groupings. It has color-coded tabs for easy reference. I like this book because it talks to you in a conversational tone and has a convenient layout.
