Customer Reviews

Houghton-Mifflin 0-395-96371-0 Peterson Field Guide To Eastern Birds

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I mistakenly thought that the large print version would be the same as my trusted old Peterson Guide, just in large print. Nope! The format is entirely different and greatly abbreviated. It's misleading to title this text the same as the original. This may be a nice guide for a novice bird watcher for bird feeder identification. I gave my copy away to a shut-in with minimal bird identifying experience.

Comparisons of similar species and views of both sexes and juveniles make this book my first pick to identify a new bird. The drawings, complete with arrows pointing to defining features, speed identification. Although it is large print, which is easy on the eyes, there is really not all that much text. The book is mostly colored drawings showing several birds to a page with their expected location maps and a few key facts. Both sexes and young are shown if they are different and I love the arrows which draw your attention quickly to things that make this species unique from another. Special comparison pages show all the similar warblers together, for example, and highlight the differences.

The advantage of really good drawings over photographs is that individual birds can differ so you may not see a match as easily. Species may change color as they grow, or with the season, they can look very different when fluffed out than otherwise. Photos don't often catch good views in flight and lighting may affect the color you see or don't see. Drawings can overcome all those issues and give you a good representation from different angles, etc. I love good photographs, but find the drawings help me more often in early identifications.

While this book is larger than I want to carry in the field, it has so much useful information packed into it with surprisingly few words, it is the first I reach for at home. For example, it allowed me to successfully identify the young Eastern Towhee that recently turned up under my feeders. This baby's coloring is nothing like its parents and none of the other books or software showed or described it.

While I turn to other sources for in-depth information about a bird, first I have to know what kind it is. Some are easy to identify and other books work fine, especially if it's a common bird. But since this book includes so many types, great drawings, comparisons and arrows pointing out what specifically to look for, it's the best first place to look. Highly recommended identification resource.

This easy on the eyes large format edition is a great book for all ages and levels of bird watching. The soft cover makes it light to handle or take with you in the field. The large format makes identifying birds much easier and quicker. Well layed out and practical.

I purchased this book for my mother, who is in her 70s. She recently started birding so this was her first field guide-easy to read, large pictures make identification very easy for the beginning birder of any age.

I was extreemly happy to find this book in larg print. This was a Birthday gift for My Sister who is a readaholic and has problems reading small print. The book is bold and pictures are simply beautiful.

Best book ever for easy use & clear identification of east coast birds. Large print is perfect for switching from binoculars to identifying details. I regularly give copies to my friends as I think it's simply the best. Lee W.

This over sized edition of Peterson's Guide is an excellent source of identifying local birds. Very well organized, very informative, and the larger pictures are easy on the eyes. Well worth the cost.

This has been a great book for Eastern USA birds. Easy to find the bird your looking for, or trying to identify!

The book is organized well and has the information you need to Bird watch in my area.

Altho listed as used, the book is in perfect condition.
Great reference asset for the bird watcher or wood carver.