Choosing a bird book

Most of us birdwatchers own several birding guides, both national and regional. The most common division for regional guides are the Western and the Eastern versions. Some publishers also print separate Texas and Florida guides. Books vary also on their format, with some using photographs and others using drawings.

Though most birders have a preference, both types can prove valuable for identification and should be on the birders bookshelf. The advantage of photos is that the photo is a more accurate version of what you will actually see when out birding. However, drawings will show more detail in the bird's coloring, markings, and other features that you may not see in the wild, and may give you clues of what to look for. Using both guides is often helpful in making an identification.

The Sibley Guide to Birds along with the Eastern and Western regional guides by David Allen Sibley are among the best in the drawing category. All birds were drawn by Sibley. The Field Guide to Birds of North America by the National Wildlife Federation (and available in RVbookstore.com) is in the photographic version and has more than 2,000 images taken by leading nature photographers showing birds in their natural habitat.

Whichever book or books you choose, make sure it contains the following features:

• Shows birds in all plumages, in all its seasonal changes.
• Gives size measurements of bird and its wingspan.
• Shows birds in flight, illustrating the wing patterns and colors to look for.
• Shows seasonal range and migratory routes for each bird.
• Discusses or shows similar birds that could result in mistaken identities, and tells how to differentiate between them.
• Describes the bird's various voice sounds: mating calls, singing, warning, etc.
• Describes bird's usual habitat, feeding patterns, and behavior.

When you travel through a new area, check with visitor centers or chambers of commerce for regional birding guides, a checklist of regional birds by season, and for the locations of noteworthy birding locations and birding trails.