Published in association with America’s preeminent authority, the Smithsonian Institution, this comprehensive handbook to the birds of North America: Eastern Region includes 706 species — all birds known to breed east of the 100th meridian on the United States and Canada, as well as regular visitors and vagrants to this region. The Smithsonian Handbook is the first identification guide that includes details of the bird’s life history in a concise and user-friendly format. Each full-page profile combines a precise description, annotated photographs, and artworks to highlight the key field marks of the species in each plumage. Similar species are shown and distinguishing characteristics are noted. Further information on the bird’s habits describes the typical song and other vocalizations, behavior, breeding, nesting, population, and conservation concerns. Typical flight patterns and nest locations and shapes are described with clear icons, and amplified in the text. Each bird’s range during summer, winter, and on migration is clearly shown on a map.
Product Features
- DK Publishing Dorling Kindersley
Beautiful book, but be advised, this is NOT a field guide. This book is a superb piece of craftsmanship. The cover and pages are of high quality, the illustrations are beautiful, and there’s that overall feeling of “substance” when you hold it (all book lovers know that feeling I’m referring to). But be advised, this is a handbook, NOT a field guide. The book is organized in “taxonomic order”, not by physical attributes of birds. For example, at the beginning of Kaufman’s Field Guide to Birds of North America, it tells you where in…
Not a good field guide ! As a reference work, this is top notch! As a field guide for bird identification, it is terrible! Birds are listed alphabetically, which is great if you already know the name of the bird, but if are searching for a name based on its appearance, good luck!
But some of the photos are not the best. Some birds I could not identify from the … I usually don’t have a problem with smithsonian books. I own many. But some of the photos are not the best. Some birds I could not identify from the photos in this book. Had to use a few different books to get an identification right. I think the color on some photos is a little off. But very informative and nicely organized.