Customer Reviews

Florida's Birds: A Field Guide and Reference

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Florida-bound or resident bird-watchers won't want to be without the second edition of a classic state- specific field guide, FLORIDA'S BIRDS: A FIELD GUIDE AND REFERENCE. This is no reprint edition: each section of FLORIDA'S BIRDS has been updated and thirty new species added, along with range maps for species and color-coded guides to month of presence. Each bird is illustrated not once but three times, text discusses habitats and habits, and sections on bird study and feeding provide in-depth detail. A 'must' handbook for any with Florida roots.

Eventhough I may not have really saved any money, I did not see any point in keeping this book once I received and reviewed it. I ordered for my son in law who lives on Fl coast and loves to fish coastal waters. He wanted a book to give information about the birds he saw then. I was hoping the size and information in this one would make it good for his purpose. This was not the case, however.
More than half of the book is concerned with ecological and birdwatching information--that is just not what he was looking for. I was disappointed in the size of photographs of the birds, but when so much is given to other aspects not that much room for bird information is left.
The quality of construction seemed good, but the spine is fairly narrow and the book needs to be opened fully to read all the text. It is possible that repeated readings may cause some pages to come loose.
On the hunt again

As an enthusiastic birder, although not an expert, I used "Florida's Birds" as a study guide prior to a recent vacation to get an idea of which birds I might see, and to increase the chances of a positive identification when I spotted them. I had researched guides to Florida's birds, and chose this one because it was well-recommended. It proved useful for study, and I turned to it often during the trip. The descriptions of types of habitat in Florida, the color plates of similar birds grouped together and other birding/ecological concerns were helpful.

If I had to use only one birding guide book in Florida or elsewhere in the U.S., it would be The Sibley Guide to Birds for its more detailed descriptions and more numerous illustrations of different sexes, ages and alternate plumages. However, "Florida's Birds" had more detailed local range descriptions and nesting information which was very valuable in the field. The two guides complimented each other and I will use them both in the future.

Those who will be birding in Florida may also want to check out "Great Florida Birding Trail" brochures for detailed site information.

I got this book for the purpose of identifying species while reviewing photographs I've taken. I haven't used it in the field (yet) but it has become an excellent reference guide. There is a lot of information, the decriptions are well-written and the sections about Florida ecology and environments are also helpful. I'm a native Floridian and I found myself frequently learning new things while reading this book. I highly recommend this book.

Now in a newly revised and expanded second edition, Florida's Birds: A Field Guide And Reference is a wonderful guide for Florida birdwatchers. Every section has been updated, and 30 new species added. A brief introduction and overview leads into the species-by-species listings that include the names, description, habitat, range, life cycle summary, and a color-coded at-a-glance list of the months each species can be found within Florida. Perhaps most captivating of all is illustrator Karl Karalus' full-color renditions of each bird species, in a meticulous and lifelike manner reminiscent of Audubon himself, making Florida's Birds a delight to simply page through. Highly recommended for Florida ornithologists and bird lovers.

I bought this book for my mother who is a nature photographer and loves to take photos of all the wild birds in the area. This book was great and helped her identify the different birds in her shots!

This was my 2nd purchase of this book. I first ordered as a gift and liked what I saw. Product shipping was prompt and produce in perfect shape.

I gave this book as a gift to friends who hosted my visit in January. They loved it and used it immediately. I felt it could have had larger pictures.

Gave this to my dad so he could ID the birds they see in FLA.

I got this book to take along on a trip to Florida planned for a couple of months from now, so at this point it's too early to say exactly how helpful it is. However, based upon previous trips to Florida, it seems to be pretty good so far (although there are two birds I've previously seen that I still couldn't find in this guide).