The Sibley Guide to Birds - Comprehensive North American Bird Identification Book for Birdwatching, Hiking, and Outdoor Adventures

The arrival of this book gives North American birders what their European counterparts have enjoyed for some time now - a first rate, superbly illustrated bird guide. The artwork by the author, David Sibley, is equal to the best work in the better European guides.This is work by someone who knows what birds look like. And can convey that knowledge through a drawing. The colors are clear and bright (the way so many birds actually look when seen well) and though occasionally they may seem a touch off, they are probably as accurate as modern printing will allow. The figures are a refreshing change from the often too dark and dingy, over detailed, and awkward images in some other guides, North American or otherwise.Where feather detail is needed, it's shown, see p. 186, Western Sandpiper, for example. The birds are accurately posed, and, equally important, they are well portrayed in terms of head and body shape and "facial" expression. The printing in my copy is excellent and tack sharp.The organization and layout for this book is outstanding, and though it may remind some of the equally excellent Birds of Europe by Svensson, Mullarney, and Zetterstrom, it differs somewhat. For one thing, Sibley seems to treat birds more in terms of natural groupings than as completely individual entities. This reflects the more fluid context that many forms exist in, rather than our rigid and heirarchical taxonomies.The text on the top of many pages refers to both (usually) of the species shown, and there are many other extra bits of information scattered throughout like this. Birds are shown by age and sex from top to bottom of the page. If you want to compare juvenile plumages of two similar species, you can find them both at the top of the column, just under the images of flying birds. All the birds on a plate generally face the same direction too, facilitating easy comparisons.I would have liked to see more information on habitat and especially status, even though the latter is more subjective and can vary throughout a species' range. But these are minor complaints and the book really stands up as it is.It's true, you won't be carrying this book in your pockets - unless they are particularly large ones! But it's no larger than many of the other international guides out, and lighter than many of them. Stick it in a book cover and drop it in your day bag or pack. You won't notice it! I recently carried one of the heavy international field guides for a couple of months in my pack. It wasn't the problem I thought it might be.Probably the best technique for birding is to just leave it in your pack or car most of the time anyway, having studied it at home and gotten an idea of what to expect on the outing. But even very experienced birders may want to consult their guide on the spot occasionally. This one is no doorstop, so you'll be able to take it along.Because of its excellent organization, outstanding illustrations, and up to date information, this is now the best bird guide for North America. Both beginners and experts will no doubt find it very useful. Thanks and congratulations to the author for such good work, and to all you birders out there, get this book!