From the renowned author of theย New York Timesย best sellerย The Sibley Guide to Birds,ย a comprehensive, beautifully illustrated guide to identifying birds in the field. Sibley's Birding Basics is an essential companionย for birders of all skill and experience levels.
With Sibley as your guide, 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 thereโs no such thing as, for example, โjust a duckโ birding will be more fun, and more meaningful. An essential addition to the Sibley shelf!
The Sibley Guide to Birdsย andย The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behaviorย are both universally acclaimed as the new standard source of species information. And now David Sibley, Americaโs 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 Sibleyโs own experience and skills, providing a solid introduction to โnamingโ the birds.ย Birding Basicsย reviews how one can get started as a birderโthe equipment necessary, where and when to go birding, and perhaps most important, the essential things to look for when birds appear in the fieldโas 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 informationย on the aspects of avian life that differ from species to species: feathers (color, arrangement, shape, molt), behavior and habitat, and sounds.