Guide to birds of eastern and central north america guides a unique identification system, which has been called the greatest invention since binoculars. This guide is illustrated with drawings and photographs in color and black and white and all provide up to date range information and the most useful descriptions, pinpoints key field marks for quick recognition and easy comparison of species. Measures 4-1/2-inch length by 7-1/4-inch width.
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With all-new range maps, updated text, and 40 new paintings, the completely revised editions of two classic Peterson Field Guides are sure to be valuable additions to any birder's pocket or daypack. At a trim size of 5 x 8, they are portable but also beautifully illustrated. Photographs, while modern looking and colorful, capture just one moment in time. The paintings in these guides, however, show all of a bird's key field marks and use the Peterson Identification System to make bird identification easier for beginning and intermediate bird watchers. A team of professional birders has updated the text, the maps, and the art for these authoritative guides. Expert birders also created 35 entertaining and easy-to-use video podcasts, which are available to download. They make fun and educational viewing on a computer desktop or MP3 player.
With all-new range maps, updated text, and 40 new paintings, the completely revised editions of two classic Peterson Field Guides are sure to be valuable additions to any birder's pocket or daypack. At a trim size of 5 x 8, they are portable but also beautifully illustrated. Photographs, while modern looking and colorful, capture just one moment in time. The paintings in these guides, however, show all of a bird's key field marks and use the Peterson Identification System to make bird identification easier for beginning and intermediate bird watchers. A team of professional birders has updated the text, the maps, and the art for these authoritative guides. Expert birders also created 35 entertaining and easy-to-use video podcasts, which are available to download. They make fun and educational viewing on a computer desktop or MP3 player.
The best-selling field guide since 1934, the Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central North America is now in its sixth edition. With clear, succinct accounts of more than 500 species, accurate and beautiful paintings on 159 color plates, and 512 maps annotated with extensive range information, this is the most up-to-date and accessible field guide for bird watchers in eastern North America
A Look Inside Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central North America
(Click on each image below to read about the bird group)
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| Miscellaneous Chickenlike Birds | Atlantic Alcids (Auks) and Murrelets | Waxwings, Bulbul, and Starlings |
From Booklist
Based on the Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America (2008), this new edition of the original regional guide (2002) brings the same improvements and corrections to maps, taxonomy, and paintings. Peterson Field Guides are best for beginning to intermediate birders and are, as always, wonderful for teachers and trip leaders. The 2010 volumes (that is, this title and the fourth edition of Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Western North America) are simply subsets of the 2008 comprehensive volume, and as such contain no new information. Highly recommended for all libraries, especially those that do not own the 2008 North American guide. --Jeff Kosokoff
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
91 of 98 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
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.
39 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
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...
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By H. Moro
Format:Paperback
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!
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!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Price was right. Didn't seem "New"
It was described as "New" yet it didn't seem new. The cover and spine had some creasing and it had a black marker line along the bottom of the book.
Published 2 days ago by Maren K. McKellin
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Top 2 Field Guides for Birders
I bought this to use in a beginning birder class that I took at the Audubon Society. Although I had some experience birding, it had been many years since I was engaged in this... Read more
Published 3 days ago by B. McEwan
5.0 out of 5 stars
bird lover
just what I wanted. great illustrations, easy to use, well constructed. A good tool for beginners as well as experienced bird watchers.
Published 4 days ago by hotflash
5.0 out of 5 stars
Second Generation Peterson Guide User
I have used Peterson Field Guide to Birds for 30+ years... and I have my original copy. I bought this edition for my son to use in his new home. Read more
Published 8 days ago by Roger Marcum
4.0 out of 5 stars
A great resource
This book is a wonderful resource. I would have given it 5 stars except I keep finding birds that I can't identify. Read more
Published 24 days ago by Jeanne Denise Hester
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book with good information
I purchased this for my teen daughter's birthday last year. She is interested in wildlife and birds. Read more
Published 1 month ago by J. Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best field guide there is.
Best field guide there is. I especially like the format. Having a map beside the picture of the bird helps greatly to make a correct identification. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Joan Skaggs
5.0 out of 5 stars
There's a reason it's a classic
I gave this guide as a Christmas present & the recipient just loves it. He refers to it time & again.
Published 1 month ago by V. Flynt
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Conclusive
This book lays out the birds in a way that I guess I'll just have to get used to. There is a reason for its organization. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Karottop
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent field guide for identifying birds.
This edition is much better than the much older guide that I had and contains much more information.
It is an excellent guide.
It is an excellent guide.
Published 1 month ago by Paul Nicander
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