- From the renowned author of the New York Times best seller The Sibley Guide to Birds, a comprehensive, beautifully illustrated guide to identifying birds in the field--an essential companion for birders of all skill and experience levels..
From the renowned author of the New York Times best seller The
Sibley Guide to Birds, a comprehensive, beautifully illustrated
guide to identifying birds in the field--an essential
companion for birders of all skill and experience levels.
The Sibley Guide to Birds and The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and
Behavior are both universally acclaimed as the new standard
source of species information. And now David Sibley, America’s
premier birder and best-known bird artist, turns his attention to
the general characteristics that influence the appearance of all
birds, unlocking the clues to their identity.
In 200 beautifully rendered illustrations and 16 essays, this
scientifically precise volume distills the essence of Sibley’s
own experience and skills, providing a solid introduction to
“naming” the birds. Birding Basics reviews how one can get
started as a birder--the equipment necessary, where and when to
go birding, and perhaps most important, the essential things to
look for when birds appear in the field--as well as the basic
concepts of bird identification and the variations that can
change the appearance of a bird over time or in different
settings. Sibley also provides critical information on the
aspects of avian life that differ from species to species:
feathers (color, arrangement, shape, molt), behavior and habitat,
and sounds.
With Sibley as your guide, when you learn how to interpret what
the feathers, the anatomical structure, the sounds of a bird tell
you—when you know the clues that show you why there’s no such
thing as “just a duck”—birding will be more fun, and more
meaningful. An essential addition to the Sibley shelf!