Customer Reviews

National Geographic Reference Atlas to the Birds of North America

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

 

 

This book has all the details a birder could ask for in a reference volume. It divides birds into families then describes in detail traits of the birds, migration patterns, behavior, feeding habits, plumage, sounds, etc., pretty much everything about the particular bird. There are detailed maps showing ranges and migration so everyone who sees a bird can appreciate what it went through to get to where you are.

This is not a field guide, and is not meant to go along on your next hike. It is hardcover and meant for desk research. But this book has so much valuable information, Audubon would be envious. The only real flaw is the green bar on the right hand side of each page. Different colors would have made for a handy reference index. But no real matter, this book more than makes up for minor flaws.

It is hard to believe that this book came from National Geographic. The lack of useful maps is astonishing. This book is basically worthless to any birder as it presents very little information that is no already in any field guide. The book which is 480 pages has only 41 maps covering only 112 birds. OK there are also the standard thumb nail size maps found in any field guide book in the back of the book but this is a "Reference Atlas" from National Geographic!! Some of the choices for the full page maps are rather odd. Full page North American maps for the ranges of Wagtails, Brambling, Eurasian Tree Sparrow and one for the Sky Lark with only 4 dots on it. Another is separate facing full pages one for Lewis's Woodpecker and one for the Red Bellied Woodpecker even though their ranges hardly over lap. While several maps show migration routes only a few show date lines for movement. For those thinking that a very good choice would be range, migration and times for Wood Warbles look else where as there is only two maps one for the Blackpoll and another for "Eastern" warblers neither with date lines. Don't think at the text makes up for the lack of maps as it is only the very basic generalization on bird families with very little individual species information, if you have a good field guide you already have this. But there are a lot of pretty pictures, you know the type non birder editors like but are of little use for identification purposes. As you can see this book is aimed at non-birders and coffee tables. It is such a shame as National Geographic could have made a standard reference guide for the ages if they had just stuck to maps. We will give it 2 stars for being pretty.

This is a handsome volume, basically a glorification of the range maps found in most bird guides. Although the wintering grounds are shown for inter-continental migrants, little other new information is presented. I had hoped for more practical information, like where and when species are most likely to be found in the U. S.

Mel Baughman compiles and edits National Geographic Reference Atlas To The Birds Of North America, which is much more than your usual take-along handbook of species. With over 700 maps, essays by 20 leading experts, cross-referencing tools, and color photos combined with extensive natural history facts, this is one of the best references on any home or library shelf. Species field notes are quite detailed, descriptions delve into feeding behavior as well as appearance and habits, and vocalization and breeding ranges are detailed along with status and conservation. Very highly recommended indeed: it stands out above all its competitors.

Great reference book for people who find birds intresting. I bought it for my Mother for her birthday. She just loved it. The pictures are great.