Customer Reviews

Birds of Arizona Field Guide

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Provides a good description of the birds it covers, but does not include many birds that are part-time visitors from Mexico.
For example, in southeastern Arizona, we have 13 species of hummingbirds visit every year. The book lists four.
The Hooded Oriole is common in southeastern Arizona, but is not found in the book.

I live in Phoenix (central AZ). I've just gotten beyond the totally novice birdwatcher and found that this book does not cover some of the species I see quite frequently such as the ash-throated and brown-crested flycatchers, great egret and bushtit (as well as the hummingbirds mentioned in another post - rufous and allens being two I have seen). It's also missing some less common birds I see in my local area: canvasback, blue-grey gnatcatcher, eared grebe. However, I do use the book in combination with other guides such as the SIbley Guide to Birds (best reference) and the Petersen Field Guide "Western Birds".

The author's tips train you to look for traits that are helpful in identifying the bird quickly and easily in the guide. He describes behaviors that are often as helpful as the good photos in identifying what you have seen, even after it's flown away. Highly recommend this book for use in AZ.

If you travel and you want a good field guide for a local area or state that you will be visiting AVOID these field guides. They are written for people under the age of 10. The species are all found in major cities in virtually every US state and you will not be able to locate ANY of the birds that you were hoping to find.

This man provides exhaustive and extensive descriptions of mourning doves for every state that he writes a book, but if you want to find out about flycatchers or hummingbirds in Arizona, FORGET IT!!!!!!!!!!!

I once purchased one of these field guides before a trip to Florida. It was the biggest waste of time, money and effort. Avoid these books at all costs.

There are a number of State Bird Guides in this series.
I have written a detailed review one of them,"Birds of California" on August 5,20"08 explaining why this is a poor choice.
This one , Birds of Arizona" similar in all respects except its for a different state.
While there may be some reviewers who rate it highly,I suggest you read my comments ,as well as others, who have given low marks for this as well as others in the series.

This was the first field guide I bought when I moved to Arizona a few years ago. We have a wealth of wild birds in our backyard, and this guide provided a great source of information as I began to learn how to identify different birds. Yes, it is lacking on some levels, but for beginners of ALL ages (I am NOT a child - I'm 60+) I think this is a valuable starting point to becoming a more experienced bird watcher.

I have since added a couple more comprehensive guides to my collection. But when I spot a new or unfamiliar bird, this is the guide I always go to first. The way it's organized, by color, does really help with beginning to identify different birds and I've found it immensely helpful. For under $15, it's a good solid investment. Hopefully Mr. Tekiela will work on another edition that includes more Arizona birds, both migrating and permanent residents of our beautiful state.

Of the several Arizona bird books I have purchased this one is the best. Pictures can be matched to observed birds and there is a brief description of the birds. You will not regret buying this book.

I reslly hate the organization of this book. Say you are looking for a woodpecker. Instead of having the woodpeckers all together, you are left to guess what COLOR the author considers some woodpecker to be. Don't buy this book if you know anything about birds. Has only some of the most common AZ birds.

Great pictures to help identify each bird - some books only have written descriptions or drawings. The size is small enough to take along on walks and hikes as well as good quality paper to withstand packing it along.

We are enjoying the series of three books I ordered and hope to purchase a few more related to Arizona. This one in particular helped me identify a couple of birds I was surprised to see. Order came quickly and books were what was expected. Thanks.