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Title: Birds of North America: A Guide to Field Identification by Chandler S. Robbins, Bertel Bruun, Herbert S. Zim, Jonathan P. Latimer, Karen Stray Nolting, James Coe, Arthur Singer, Herbert Spencer Zim ISBN: 1-58238-090-2 Publisher: Golden Guides from St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 01 February, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.45 (20 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: A classic updated, but on the cheap
Comment: The Golden field guide, *Birds of North America* has been a favorite companion for countless birders since it was first published in the late 1960's. It has the virtues of being nationally comprehensive, easy to follow (illustrations, maps, songs, and descriptions are provided on the same two pages), and perhaps best of all, small enough to carry in a jacket pocket. It also uses an interesting and highly useful visual "sonagram" approach to conveying information about bird vocalizations.
Unfortunately, however, the ornithological powers that be are constantly lumping and splitting species, rendering field guides at least somewhat obsolete overnight. Consequently, these books must be updated periodically so as to be optimally useful to birders. The Golden guide was last updated during the 1980s, and was long overdue for a makeover.
Happily, this has finally been provided. And indeed, this revised version of the guide is (for the moment) up to date regarding the various lumps and splits that have gone into effect over the past decade. Some of the "splits" are fully illustrated, as with the Canyon vs. California (formerly Brown) towhee. Some, however, are only mentioned in the text, and sometimes all too briefly. It's probably ok not to have a separate illustration of the smaller Gunnison species of the Sage grouse, but a separate illustration of the California gnatcatcher surely should have been provided. Similarly, the somewhat larger and brighter Island scrub jay should have been depicted separately from its relatives the scrub and Florida jays.
Certainly, the publishers of this revised version of the Golden guide have made an earnest effort to provide an updated and attractive entry into the increasingly crowded birding field guide competition. They have included, for example, some new plates illustrating the various introduced parrot species and some (surely not all) of the Eurasian vagrants that are reported in Alaska and along the west coast. There also is a fine illustration comparing the tail feather patterns of both common and accidental pipit species.
However, it seems apparent that the update to this guide was done on a fairly tight budget. Most disappointing is the sometimes mediocre reproduction of what otherwise are fine color illustration plates. Particularly in the shorebird, gull, and tern sections, the quality is simply not first-rate. Apparently sloppy reproduction work also can lead to some misleading visual information. For example, based upon the illustrations of the loon species, one might conclude that the summer Pacific loon has a greenish throat patch while that of the Arctic loon is purplish.
Still, overall, I have always liked this field guide simply because it is so very easy to carry and to use. Consequently, whereas other larger, heavier volumes may be what I study while preparing for a day in the field, the Golden guide provides me with the quick reference I might need while out in the field. As a handy pocket reference, I would continue to recommend that birders consider purchasing this field guide in its updated version.
Rating: 5
Summary: This is the BEST bird book out there!!
Comment: The Golden Guide to Field Indentifcation of Birds of North America is a handy, not to mention effective, guide to the birds. Accidentals, rarities, stragglers, and casuals are all covered, along with the common birds. This guide includes full color illustrations of birds were and how they are most often spotted, whether gliding over the ocean or perching in dense underbrush, as well as winter, summer, eclipse, immature, chick, juvenile, adult, male, female, breeding, non-breeding, molting, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd winter plumages, if need be. Any bird spotted can quickly be indentified quickly and easily with this guide.
Rating: 5
Summary: great buy
Comment: This guide is wonderful. The pictures are very descriptive and make it easy to identify different birds.
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Title: Birds : A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press by Ira N. Gabrielson, Herbert S. Zim, James Gordon Irving ISBN: 1582381283 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 14 April, 2001 List Price(USD): $6.95 |
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Title: Trees of North America : A Guide to Field Identification by C. Frank Brockman, Rebecca Marrilees ISBN: 1582380929 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 14 April, 2001 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Wildflowers of North America : A Guide to Field Identification by Frank D. Venning, Manabu C. Saito ISBN: 1582381275 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 14 April, 2001 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Butterflies and Moths : A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press by Robert T. Mitchell, Herbert S. Zim, Andre Durenceau ISBN: 1582381364 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 14 April, 2001 List Price(USD): $6.95 |
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Title: Insects : A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press by Clarence Cottam, Herbert S. Zim ISBN: 1582381291 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 14 April, 2001 List Price(USD): $6.95 |
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