5 Best Bird Books for Bird Watchers in 2021
5 Best Bird Books for Bird Watchers in 2021
Bird watching or bird watching is an exciting and rewarding hobby to engage in. And guess what? It is not expensive at all. It just requires sitting in the wild with binoculars, telescope or the naked eye and watching the different breed of birds flying near you.
Believe me; If you think that there are a limited number of birds in existence, you will be amazed the moment you take part in this fun activity.
However, eared birds seem to be most effective when it comes to spotting and identifying the different types of birds that exist.
Let’s go a little further down history lane, shall we? The first time the term “bird” was used, humans didn’t just use it to refer to the act of watching or listening to birds. Alternatively, “bird” refers to the act of chasing a bird with a gun or firearm.
The best part about bird watching is that anyone can participate in it regardless of the age group. All you need is your field guide to bird watching. For starters, you can get books on birds to help you with your spending on birdwatching.
This will help you identify and identify the types of birds you encounter. Now, there are bird books for almost any age. For example, you will find bird books for preschoolers at the market.
There are also books about birds for children to help your children participate and enjoy birds from a very young age.
Trying to get a field guide book to make your hobby of birdwatching more exciting may not be the most straightforward task. There seem to be plenty of books about birds for bird watchers of all ages in the markets. That’s why we’ve come up with this guide for you. Here are the ten best bird books for bird watchers that you can read in your spare time.
Also, if you are a true birder, you may want to check out these killer topics about birds and birds.
Birding vs. Birdwatching vs. Pitching
Among bird lovers, there seems to be a slight difference between the words “bird,” “bird watch,” and “twitch.” In some parts of the world, the distinction between these words and their usage is very important.
For example, in North America, some bird lovers prefer to be known as “bird watchers” rather than “bird watchers”. However, the difference is noted in terms of the intensity of their dedication to bird breeding or bird watching in general.
For example, bird watching is seen as a limited range. Basically, bird watchers are seen as someone who uses their eyes only to watch and learn about birds. Also, North American bird watchers are often seen as someone who is not fully invested in the bird business.
In other words, bird watchers only watch the birds in their yards and wouldn’t care too much about traveling from place to place for their love of birds. They are simply bird watching for fun.
On the contrary, birders are fully invested, well-versed, and skilled in everything related to the experience of birds. The bird seems to know and do more than just visual and auditory recognition. They will go as far as migrating to a different country, the terrain in search or hunting other bird species (from common to rare species).
Birders are known to be dedicated enthusiasts who go to any length for the love of birds. They actively participate in all the details of the bird’s life from the use of its habitat, timing, molting, distribution, etc.
In other words, bird enthusiasts dive deeper into birds and their lives compared to bird watchers who stop only at the surface of visual identification.
However, in general, birding and birdwatching are used interchangeably. Hence, a ‘bird watcher’ can also be referred to as a ‘bird’ in a more general context. But it’s best to refer to yourself as a “bird watcher” in a broader context. the reason? Birder is an unfamiliar term to the layman.
Apart from birding and birdwatching, there is a third period called ‘twitching’. This term is a British term used to refer to the hunt or pursuit of rare bird species. In North America, it has a different name. It is referred to simply as “stalking”.
Twitching aims to build a list of bird species, from common bird species to rare species. A person who engages in twitching is called a twitch. Pickpockets go from place to place to identify different bird species to compile a list of species.
The 5 best bird books for bird watchers are reviewed below
As a bird watcher (beginner or professional), while there is no buying guide that can guide you as to what to look for when shopping for a good birding book, here are some of the best bird books to help you identify which bird is coming your way. Our list comes highly recommended by professionals and bird lovers from all over the world. So, you will really enjoy reading any of these books.
1
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Seventh Edition
The National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America is one of the best selling bird books that every birdwatcher should read. Think of this book as your best birdwatching friend. This is why the author and publisher have made it a priority to keep this book updated so that you don’t miss a thing.
One of the reasons you find this book useful is because it was penned by JON L. DUNN, one of the best books in the world of birdwatching. As a leading expert in the world of birdwatching, John is a Birding Magazine expert.
He also once chaired the American Bird Society’s Checklist Committee. As a reference figure in the field, John has brought years of experience and insight into this book to guide both novices and professionals in the area.
The book is smeared with hand-drawn illustrations by nature’s best artists to make the reading experience enjoyable. Part of the update in this seventh edition of the book is that the author added 37 new bird species to the initial 1,023 species the book had.
It also includes 80 new maps and a revision of 350 maps already in the book. You’ll also find 250 new illustrations for your reading pleasure.
The classification has also been revised to meet the latest classifications of the American Ornithological Association. These new features make it the ideal book for bird watchers around the world, especially in Canada and the United States.
Features clues:
- 592 pages
- 350 revised maps
- 80 new maps added
- 250 new illustrations
- 37 species of newly added birds
- Revised classification to conform to the most recent classifications of the American Ornithological Association
Customize:
- Publisher: National Geographic
- Model: 7 edition
- Dimensions: 5.7 x 1.3 x 8.3 inches
- Weight: 1.95 pounds
- Cover: paperback
- English
- Page length: 592 pages
- Published: 12 September 2017
Positives
- Clear and easy to recognize images and illustrations
- comprehensive and detailed
- Well organized, so you can easily find the bird species you are looking for
- Lightweight
- modern classification
Negatives
- The binding of the book is not very good.
2bird genius
The Genius of Birds, written by Jennifer Ackerman, documents the amazing nature of the bird brain. Jennifer discovers and explores the intelligence of bird species. Next, she sets out to document her findings in this great read. If you are a devoted bird watcher, you will be amazed at their discoveries.
According to Jennifer in the book, birds seem to have remarkable intelligence that may redefine what we understand that intelligence means. This book is completely revolutionary. It changes your view of bird perception, making you more interested in birds and studying birds.
Of course, Jennifer doesn’t present the myths in the book, but rather the facts corroborated by the decades of research she embarked on. She takes us on a journey that debunks the myth that birds are stupid.
With a love for science, human biology, and nature, Jennifer Ackerman contributes to numerous publications such as The New York Times, National Geographic, and Scientific American.
Features clues:
- Posts footnotes for compelling reading.
- Lyrically written.
- Full of evidence and facts
- He has a straightforward, entertaining style of writing
- Revolutionary in nature
Customize:
- Publisher: Penguin Books
- Model: print edition
- Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.74 x 8.37 inches
- Weight: 11.2 ounces
- English
- Cover: paperback
- Pages length: 352
- Published: April 11, 2017
Positives
- Revolutionizing the way you think about birds
- Provides insight into the intelligence and brilliance of birds
- It is very entertaining to read
- Posts a footnote to avoid cluttering up words and ideas in the book.
- Based entirely on facts and decades of research
Negatives
- It has no illustrations
3 Sibley Guides to Bird Life and Behavior (Sibley Guides)
Looking to dive deeper into the hobby of birding? Then this book is the perfect place to start for you. Known as “the perfect companion for a bird guide,” this book chronicles the life and behavior of birds. Basically, you won’t learn anything directly about bird identification. But you will surely satisfy your curiosity about bird life.
David Allen Sibley takes you on a journey into how birds do their business. It explores bird activities of nesting and mating, flight patterns, egg laying, how they feed, habitats, plumage and feathering, breeding and courtship, anatomy, scientific gathering, global distribution, etc.
In developing this book, David publishes using expert-trusted text and full-color illustrations. The illustration makes it easy to access and read. Sibley’s Guide to Birding offers a great way to get involved with birding.
Like you, author, David Allen Sibley, is an experienced and skilled bird watcher. He has been practicing the hobby since 1969 when he was seven years old.
Features clues:
- Integrate illustrations with authoritative texts from professional biologists and ornithologists.
- Provides comprehensive information about birds and their behavior
- Organized Classes
- 608 pages
- paperback
- Written in an accessible style
Customize:
- Publisher: Knopf
- Model: Flexibind ed. Release
- Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.6 x 9.7 inches
- Weight: 2.96 pounds
- English
- Page length: 608 pages
- Cover: paperback
- Published: July 28, 2009
Positives
- The chapters are carefully organized for easy reading
- The illustrations are perfectly executed
- Provides comprehensive details of birds, their lifestyle and behaviour.
- Great books for beginners.
Negatives
- It does not cover much information about bird species.
4
Peterson’s Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Sixth Edition
Although written by Roger Tory Peterson, he was given little assistance in developing and completing Peterson’s Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern and Central North America. He worked alongside a few other people.
For starters, Michael Diorgio contributed illustrations of birds to the book. Paul Lehmann and Larry Roach worked to update the map in the guide. While Rosche was working on the map graphs, Lehman collected the map data.
As a birder, if you are looking to explore the terrain of eastern and central North America to see the range of birds that harbor them, then this Peterson bird guide is the perfect companion for you.
Nearly ten years after the last edition was published, Peterson has finally released this updated version. Believe me; Comes fully loaded.
The book has updated the organization of the chapters to help readers quickly locate what they are looking for. Maps have also been updated and 40 new panels have been added to the book.
Certain species have been renamed as well, and the team has audited more than 500 species to be succinct and straight to the point.
Features clues:
- 464 pages
- Graphics and photo illustration
- Easy identification for bird enthusiasts
- Portable Size
- Updated by bird experts
Customize:
- Brand: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Model: 6th edition
- Dimensions: 5.25 x 1 x 8 inches
- Weight: 1.6 lbs
- Cover: paperback
- English
- Page Length: 464 pages
- Published: March 14, 2010
Positives
- Portable so you can carry it easily
- New information first
- Brief and direct description of about 500 species
- Amateur bird enthusiasts will find it easy to use.
- Well detailed and detailed paintings and photographs
Negatives
- Not exactly the best for beginners; You’ll need to know certain things (like bird names, for example) to use this guide effectively.
5Bird watching for dolls
It’s okay to be new to bird watching. After all, every expert started from somewhere. However, one thing you must do to make your bird watching experience unforgettable is to learn the basics. A great book to help learn “back to basics” is this one from Bill Thompson.
It takes you on a journey into the world of birds, so that you have a flawless start. It will teach you and help you to recognize the different types of birds that exist by sound and sight. Although titled Bird Watching for Dummies, this book can also be benefited by bird professionals as it provides “back to basics” information about birds.
Aside from knowing bird identification, it teaches you how to feed and house birds. The book covers other topics related to birds such as nest visuals, bird festivals, bird feeders, etc.
Bill Thompson III has accumulated a lot of experience in the bird watching industry. He has worked on numerous birdwatching brochures, and his birdwatching list includes more than 1,000 species of birds from all over the world.
Features clues:
- Good guide on how to identify birds by sight and sound
- Helps you understand bird watching terminology
- Shows you how to build a bird-friendly backyard
- It covers the basics of bird watching
- The book is written in a conversational style with a sense of humor in it.
Customize:
- Brand: John Wiley & Sons
- Model: 1st Edition
- Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.95 x 9.25 inches
- Weight: 1.55 pounds
- Cover type: paperback
- Page length: 432 pages
- English
- Publication date: September 22, 1997.
Positives
- The perfect guide for dummies that introduces them to the basics
- Covers a variety of bird-related topics
- It is easy to read
- It’s educational and entertaining at the same time
Negatives
- Published in 1997, it’s a bit outdated.
Buying Questions Guide
Here are some of the frequently asked things about bird books for bird watchers.
What is the best bird identification book?
There are quite a few bird identification books on the market. While every book has its strengths and weaknesses, some of them look great. However, the fact that they are distinct still does not rid them of their subtle flaws. Overall, the best book for getting to know birds is Sibley’s Guide to Birds.
The reason is that it is accessible to birds of any skill level, and the illustrations are accurate and detailed and how comprehensive they are. While the Sibley’s Guide to Birds is a great place to start, you may also want to search bookstores to discover a bird guide that matches your style as a birder.
Is there an app to identify birds?
In the 21st century, nearly every book has moved from paperbacks to digital copies. So, to answer your query, there are dozens of applications for identifying birds. The best part is that these bird identification apps are as comprehensive, if not more comprehensive, and just as easy to use as traditional handheld books.
Also, you can carry it easily without worrying about the extra weight you are adding to your bag. Some traditional bird identification books are heavy and not fun to navigate. As a birder, it is always essential to carry a bird identification guide with you. While paperback books may seem like a pain in the ass, you can always use the great apps developed by innovative bird purters.
What is the best bird identification app?
The best bird identification bike is the Merlin Bird ID from Cornell Lab. This Merlin Bird ID app uses AI to make it easier to identify birds. No matter where you are, learn about any bird you encounter with this digital guide book companion.
By answering simple queries or simply taking a picture of a bird you see, Merlin will show you everything there is to know about the bird, from the sound it makes to other identification tips. It is easy to use, and you can create a life list with this app. The app also contains nearly 20,000 bird calls and songs to enlighten and keep you entertained.
How do bird watchers count birds?
Counting birds is without a doubt one of the most difficult and scary tasks for birds. But you still have to do it for the checklist and documentation. As a result, bird keepers have created effective counting techniques for flocks of birds and individual birds. To count individual birds, make sure that you can see the birds and that they can be identified. If the birds are moving slowly and you can identify them, you can post the first, second, and third basic single counting technique.
However, in the case of a small to medium-sized flock of birds, try the grouping method. This technique counts birds five by five or ten by ten. But it does require practice to be perfect and fast at it. When it comes to one species of bird in larger flocks, bird watchers publish the belt technique. The selective counting technique is ideal for large flocks of mixed species.
When encountering large flocks of birds with many diverse species actively moving and flying, bird watchers use the lineage technique. The timing technique is useful when bird watchers encounter a large, mixed flock of birds whose movement is too fast to be counted. If it seems too difficult, try photographic technique. Here, you can take a picture of the flock of birds (if possible) and then count either on your computer or on a hard copy.
How do you recognize the bird?
Identifying birds is not as easy as it sounds, even for experienced bird watchers. However, there are techniques you can adopt that will make it easier for you to identify birds. Using these tips will help you make better use of the field guide. You don’t need to scroll through the entire guide pages in search of bird species. These techniques will help to search your domain directory strategically.
Some of these techniques include the size and overall shape of the bird. You also need to monitor the behavior of the bird (does it move with a flock or in isolation, what part of the tree does it stay in? Does it feed in water or on the ground, does it sit in the open or in the bush?) Find its habitat and range, what are the fields and color? Once you can answer these common questions on seeing a bird, you will be able to use your birding guide to learn about bird species effectively.
What is the proper name for a bird watcher?
A bird watcher is a person who watches birds and recognizes them through sight and sounds. Most often, bird watchers are called Birders or Twitchers. However, the term “birder” or “twitcher” seems to differ in some way from the term “bird watcher”. Pilots do more than identify bird species through sight and sounds. Birders are intensely involved in the hobby of birds.
They travel outside their space to other parts of the world to see and document different bird species. They don’t come across bird species just by chance; They actively sort different types of birds and for fun. Traders, however, get involved in the twitching game, traveling to see different species of birds to compile a comprehensive list of bird species.
Therefore, if you are passive in your hobby of birds (i.e. you follow your bird-watching friends), the right name for you is “bird watcher” because you are only interested in watching and listening to birds. However, if you invest deeply in the hobby, you are a “bird”. If you are chasing birds in order to compile your life list, you are restless.
How do I find the name of a bird in a picture?
The easiest way to find the name of a bird in a photo is to use the Merlin Bird Photo ID website. Simplifies your bird identification experience. All you have to do is add the picture of the bird you want to search, and it will help in identifying the bird from its name all the way to the other traits of the bird. Created by Cornell and the Visipedia Project to simplify the task of identifying birds. You can meet up to 400 birds at the site who reside in Canada and the United States. In terms of accuracy, the site is 90% accurate in recognizing the image of the bird you are uploading it to. However, the creators of this site are still working to ensure that the site offers 100% accuracy.
How do you play with a pet bird?
Birds are intelligent and social creatures. They remain happy when they relate to you and your family. There are quite a few ideas for playing with your pets so that they feel loved and cared for. You can play fetch and retrieve with some birds the same way you play with your dog, for starters. You can also play games like peek-a-boo, hide-and-seek, and climbing rope (especially with parrots). Don’t forget to combine rewards and spread encouraging words while playing with your bird.
What is an eBird List?
Your eBird Life List documents, neatly, all the experiences you’ve had in your life as a birder or birdwatcher. With the eBird platform built in such a way that it is easy for you to enter your bird sightings, location, date and time when you saw the bird, you can have a very up-to-date ebird life list.
The best part is that if you’re bad at counting birds, you don’t need to record the number of birds you’ve encountered in your eBird life list. You can only use the alphabet in place of the estimated number of birds you have encountered and documented. Also, if you have a long list of bird species that you’ve seen in your life, you can gradually upload them to the eBird Life List. You don’t need to download them all at once.
What is the best zoom for bird watching?
In general, choosing a random binoculars for bird watching can disappoint you in the long run. High and low magnification in binoculars has its advantages and disadvantages. But the best magnification to use depends on the location you are viewing the birds from. However, most bird watchers prefer 8-power binoculars over 10-powered binoculars. In essence, as a bird watcher, you’d be better off with 8x or 7x magnification. Some bird watchers claim to see 10x more detail.
conclusion
Bird Books for Bird Watchers are designed to help both professional and amateur bird watchers identify the different types of birds that come their way. If you are a beginner, the best place to start is to get a good book on birds that introduces you to the world of birds and the different species that exist. With our list of great books, you’ll be on your way to falling deeply in love with birds and other species.
