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Backyard Birding References:
Field Guides, Natural Histories, Birdsong CDs, and more
Category Item Notes Price
Now get out there and find yourself some LBBs!
Field Guides Birds of North America - Golden Guide (external link) A great general purpose guide - has maps, calls and pictures on same page as descriptions $19.95
Peterson's Field Guide to Western Birds (external link) These books have the range maps in the back, and I find myself constantly flipping back and forth, but they are still a very good reference. Also available for Eastern North America (external link). $19.95
The Sibley Guide to Birds (external link) Beautiful illustrations - a fantastic and detailed guide. Also available in more portable Western (external link) and Eastern (external link) North America editions for $19.95 each. $35.00
Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America (external link) Beautiful new field guide! $19.95
National Geographic Field Guide (external link) Great guide, but sort of big to carry into the field. Excellent reference. $24.00
Audubon Field Guide - Western Birds (external link) Not recommended except as a second "back up" guide - uses photos, which are not as easy to tell field marks from. Organized by color. Good cross-reference. Also available for Eastern North America. $19.95
Stokes Guide (external link) Another book with photos organized by color. Again, I would not recommend this as your primary field guide, but a good back up or place to start. Also available in much smaller Beginner's Guides ($8.95 ea) for both Eastern (external link) and Western (external link) Regions. $17.95
Note: There are bird books for just about every region, and specialty books on different types of birds, such as hawks, owls, woodpeckers and hummingbirds. Have fun browsing and follow your fancy!
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General Birding References Sibley's Birding Basics (external link) This book goes over "...how one can get started as a birder: the equipment necessary, where and when to go birding, and... the essential things to look for when birds appear in the field." -- Powell's Books $15.95
National Geographic Birding Essentials (external link) "All the Tools, Techniques, and Tips You Need to Begin and Become a Better Birder" $15.95
Birdwatching for Dummies (external link) "...full of practical tips and proven advice to make your bird watching experiences as fun and rewarding as possible." -- Powell's Books $9.50 (used)
Orvis Beginner's Guide to Birdwatching (external link) This book provides answers to the most-often asked questions ranging from what to wear to where to go and how to make the best use of your binoculars, field guide, and backyard birdfeeder. (Publisher) $19.95
Bird Behavior The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior (external link) Fantastic Natural History of birds for those who want to know more than just "what bird is that?" $30.00
Birder's Handbook (external link) The first natural history compendiumm of north Amerian birds - great reference! $21.95
The Backyard Bird-Lovers Guide (external link) Everything readers want to know about feeding, territory, courtship, nesting, and parenting characteristics of 135 species. $24.95
Bird Song Birding by Ear (external link)
Western		 "Birding by Ear can enable anyone to become a better birder. Use it in conjunction with the Peterson Field Guide to Western Bird Songs (external link), which provides a thorough catalog of the songs and calls of the familiar birds of western North America. Birding by Ear may well become as essential to you as your Field Guide and binoculars." (publisher) Both CD's also available for Eastern Birds (external link) $30.00
The Singing Life of Birds (external link)
The Art and Science of Listening to Birdsong with CD		 "Kroodsma has written a fascinating and entertaining book for anyone who yearns to understand the hidden dramas unfolding in his or her own backyard. Using highly personal stories, Kroodsma explores how and why birds sing." $16.95
Bird Songs (external link)
250 North American Birds in Song		 "...North American birds in a stunning new format. ...[which includes] description, ...full-color illustrations and a built-in digital audio player..." $45.00
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Bird Conservation Birder's Conservation Handbook (external link)
100 North American Birds at Risk		 "Simply admiring birds isn't enough-birders everywhere need to be actively engaged in preserving them, and Birder's Conservation Handbook gives them the knowledge and the tools to do just that." - Review on Powells.com $35.00
Where Have All the Birds Gone? (external link)
Essays on the Biology and Conservation of Birds That Migrate to the American Tropics		 "This is a splendid book, simultaneously fascinating and frightening.... For the birds' sake, read this book!" - Review on Powells.com $32.95
Silence of the Songbirds (external link) Subtitle: How We Are Losing the World's Songbirds and What We Can Do to Save Them $24.95
Great Birding Websites All About Birds (external link)
Cornell Lab of Ornithology		 Fantastic website - very helpful and informative. Includes a comprehensive Online Field Guide (external link), a Gear Guide, information on Bird Conservation (external link), and much more. Free
Audubon Birding Basics (external link) Audubon's website is a wealth of information, including Audubon At Home (external link), which has great information on creating your backyard habitat, among other things. Free
Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (external link) The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center is dedicated to fostering greater understanding, appreciation, and protection of the grand phenomenon of bird migration. Free
eNature - Birds and Birding (external link) Online Field Guides, Natural History, Songs, Regional and Migration Information, Articles, and information about feeders, houses, and more! Free
Virtual Birder's Bird Song Matcher (external link) Fun online game to test your skill at "birding by ear"! Free

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