Customer Reviews

Houghton-Mifflin 0-547-15246-2 Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central North America

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I really wish I could agree with the glowing reviews given by others, but I can't, at least in some respects. I grew up with the original Peterson field guide, and it was my parents' bible. The revisions over the years greatly enhanced the original material. I doubt there is a "seasoned" birder out there who would not say that the Peterson guides are responsible to a great extent for their love of birding.
As soon as They were available I signed up for the pre-order of both the eastern and western editions. I have had them now for around 5 months, and they have never left the house. I can only really comment on the eastern edition, because I never had a previous western ed., but I assume this applies to both.
The book's content is at least 95% the same as the previous edition. I have spotted an added picture or two, but not many. Colors have been changed slightly, but I am not sure that they are better, and it may just be the printing process. The text is updated to agree with current information, bird names, etc., but I haven't noticed much else. In that the pictures and information in the guides has always been excellent, all well and good.
The complaint I have is that the book is just no longer a FIELD GUIDE to me, as past editions were. It is thicker, somewhat heavier, and for a very poor reason, in my estimation. The difference is primarily in the back section of range maps, which has almost doubled in size. It takes up roughly 1/4 of the total size of the book. Now, we all refer to a range map from time to time, but I would bet its something like 1 in 300 times we use the book. Beyond that, the regular pages have smaller maps for the birds which suffice very well at least 95% of the time. To waste all that space and weight is ridiculous. If it is necessary to include all those large maps, I suggest they should be published separately and packaged with the guides, letting the user decide whether or not to carry them. I'm betting not 1/10 of 1% would. The old guide slid nicely into a pocket of my field pants. I won't be doing that with the new one, I'd be afraid it would rip the pocket out, if I could get it in at all. The newest National Geo. guides are top notch, and they are smaller, thinner, and lighter than Peterson, as are others. The "big Sibley" has become the bible for most birders, although mine will never leave the house or car because of size, so that leaves out the new Peterson from any primarly use other than possibly the "bird feeder birder". My feeling is, the people at Peterson "just don't get it" as far as their niche in the guide book business goes. I feel guilty for being a detractor of this "new standard", but I would feel more guilty if I did not.

Sure there is lots more competition from other bird books now; but for ID of birds Peterson is still the best! The use of "points of emphasis" drawings to distinguish what makes a species different is still the best technique and biggest help - even for experienced birders (and I fit this category knowing warblers by their song). Do not go with books that use photographs whatever you do - birds just do not look like the photo in real life; as there is significant variation by bird. But a few characteristics are prominent on all birds of the same species - thus, Peterson drawings emphasizing these prominent points are the most helpful approach. Also, do not try to make a reference book with more info into a "field guide" for ID - too much info is bulky and confusing and harder to reference "in the field". RTP is still King and his legacy lives on...

I was initially reluctant to buy the first edition of the namesake guide that R. T. Peterson (who died in 1996) was not at all involved in producing, but I was needlessly concerned. This new guide incrementally improves on its previous (5th) edition, incorporating a cleaner layout, updated range maps, and the revised taxonomy of the latest supplements to the AOU checklist. The original plates, similarly, have been dealt a subtle hand; overall, I feel they've never looked better!

If I had any criticism to level at this new edition, it's that the the text is often spare. Terminology and useful explanations of plumage features in the 5th edition that would confuse or overwhelm only the newest birdwatcher has often been omitted entirely. Understandably, this guide has long been a favorite of beginners, but I resent "dumbing down" of one of the few references one is likely to carry into the field. (If nothing else, it means a beginner is likely to outgrow this guide sooner than he or she ought to.) Finally, was the publisher unable to find a better picture of Mr. Peterson than the one they used for the back cover? Yikes!

I bought this book for my 10 year old grand daughter who is battling cancer. She loves this book! She spent the first 2 days with it always in her hands, going through every page. Now she uses it to identify birds in her yard and the surrounding area. It was a huge hit with her. Thank you.

The 6th edition of Peterson's Field Guide is the best yet. Very clear pictures and text.

I have the Sibley's Guide and this one. I like the Sibley's Guide because it shows variation in species. The red tailed hawk is a very good example. But, it is rather large. I have the North America version. I probably should have bought the Eastern version. I keep the Peterson's Guide in my car for hiking. I like it because it points out the identifying characteristics of a bird.

This book was everything I needed to identify each bird in my yard. I like the interesting information on each particular bird's migration, mating and feeding habits. Plenty of information to help a beginner.

I find that I consult this bird book quite often. Before ordering it, I could only identify a few birds that came to the feeder. A friend moved to an area where there are a lot of birds so I bought one for her, hoping she will find it helpful as well. Also, the book arrived in good shape and promptly after the order was placed.

I have or have had, most all of the North American Bird Field Guides available and still I keep coming back to the Peterson for several reasons. First is the quality of the artwork. The birds look much more natural and the colors are way more accurate than in either Sibley or National Geographic. I don't like the flat 2-D presentations in either of those guides. And, personally, I just do not like the photographic guides as lighting, etc. can play tricks and make the birds look different than they really are. If I want the challenge of identifying badly lit birds then I go to the Crossley which really isn't a field guide but a great book to learn from. The Peterson is the only book with thumbnail maps for a quick peek in the field, to rule a species in or out, as well as large detailed maps in the back for close examination if necessary. I find myself going to the rear maps very frequently as I travel looking for where birds are. The notes that accompany each species are a wealth of information, not just a rehash of the features that are visualized in the picture. Sibley and Nat Geo both have more extensive entries for Gulls and Hawks and I do refer to them if I am at the coast or wanting to know about a western species, however, the Peterson is still overall the best for eastern birding in my opinion. The front matter and various learning pages sprinkled throughout the book are great for beginning birders. This particular edition is really nice because it isn't so huge that lugging it into the field is a chore. Also, many species vary from coast to coast and with this guide you are sure that you are seeing the eastern version of the bird - think Fox Sparrow. All and all the best bird book for beginner through advanced birder.

I received this product in a timely fashion, in good condition. The illustrations are fabulous and the information comprehensive. It's just the right size for taking on outings.