Field Guide to Western Birds
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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.
Last updated in 1990, the Peterson Field Guide to Western Birds covers nearly 600 species on 176 color plates, with 588 comprehensive range maps, now included with the illustrations. Every bird watcher in western North America will want to own this long-awaited, up-to-date fourth edition.
A Look Inside Peterson Field Guide to Western Birds
(Click on each image below to read about the bird group)
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| Finchlike Birds | Grosbeaks | Parakeets and Parrots |
From Booklist
Based on the Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America (2008), this new edition of the original regional guide (1990) 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 sixth edition of Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central 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
63 of 63 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
There is a stack of bird books sitting near the window in my living room from which I watch a bird feeder and its visitors every day. I have an ancient 2nd edition of Peterson that really started me watching birds. So, I admit that I have a sentimental attachment to my Peterson Guides. I have hauled Peterson Guides over 4 continents. The National Geographic Guide is a back up for me, when I am trying to compare characteristics of the birds I see. Sibley I keep for comparison and because I love books-and as a general U.S. Guide. But, day-to-day, year-to year, I still carry my Peterson in a knapsack with my maps and snacks and use it as my comfortably dog-eared companion.
I also love this new addition. Although it is a bit larger, it is still smaller that my Sibley guide. It also has some of the improvements that made the Sibley guides popular, such as maps on the same page as the bird illustrations. (Another reviewer has complained the maps are not accurate, but I must admit that I only use the maps as a very general reference. The bird migration and shifting populations seem to make the presence of many birds "outside the map" a real possibility where I live).
The larger illustrations are a real improvement (much appreciated as my eyes age). The biggest difference for me, after years of birdwatching, is that the Peterson Guide is only one of the sources I consult. Now I carry a field guide but am more likely to take field notes and sketches home to look at more than one source. Perhaps because I studied art when I was young, I prefer the less constrained illustrations by Peterson vs. Sibley. All in all, the Peterson Guide is still the one I will carry with me in the field as the quick reference. I have often heard that Peterson is not for "serious' birders.... Read more ›
I also love this new addition. Although it is a bit larger, it is still smaller that my Sibley guide. It also has some of the improvements that made the Sibley guides popular, such as maps on the same page as the bird illustrations. (Another reviewer has complained the maps are not accurate, but I must admit that I only use the maps as a very general reference. The bird migration and shifting populations seem to make the presence of many birds "outside the map" a real possibility where I live).
The larger illustrations are a real improvement (much appreciated as my eyes age). The biggest difference for me, after years of birdwatching, is that the Peterson Guide is only one of the sources I consult. Now I carry a field guide but am more likely to take field notes and sketches home to look at more than one source. Perhaps because I studied art when I was young, I prefer the less constrained illustrations by Peterson vs. Sibley. All in all, the Peterson Guide is still the one I will carry with me in the field as the quick reference. I have often heard that Peterson is not for "serious' birders.... Read more ›
53 of 60 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a copy of a review I wrote for the eastern edition, but I think it fits them both.
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.... Read more ›
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.... Read more ›
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I love this book. This isn't a book set up for ornithologists. This is a book designed with the non-bird expert in mind. Not that it's dumbed down in any way, far from it, but it makes finding and identifying species easy based on where you saw a bird and what it looks like.
For the expert birder, there's plenty to love here, too. The index takes you directly to specific birds. The pictures show multiple pictures when birds look differently as immature or breeding. The maps are very useful in helping narrow the exact species. And having this book cover only Western birds means that you'll likely spend less time searching for a particular bird.
Although I read the digital galley and wasn't able to take the guide into the field, I was able to go back home and correctly answer this question: Hey Mom! What's that bird called? The bonus podcasts are very helpful.
I highly recommend this new edition for both dedicated or aspiring bird watchers and for parents who want to provide some more in depth and accurate information about birds found in their area.
For the expert birder, there's plenty to love here, too. The index takes you directly to specific birds. The pictures show multiple pictures when birds look differently as immature or breeding. The maps are very useful in helping narrow the exact species. And having this book cover only Western birds means that you'll likely spend less time searching for a particular bird.
Although I read the digital galley and wasn't able to take the guide into the field, I was able to go back home and correctly answer this question: Hey Mom! What's that bird called? The bonus podcasts are very helpful.
I highly recommend this new edition for both dedicated or aspiring bird watchers and for parents who want to provide some more in depth and accurate information about birds found in their area.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Doug
Format:Paperback
I'll admit that I love the Peterson guides over any other version, partly because my first introductions to birding were through Peterson related materials (Birding by Ear and the previous edition of Peteron's Eastern and Western field guides.) I like the pictures, the descriptions, the maps and the layout better than Sibley, NatGeo, or Kaufmann. The mnemonics for vocalizations are certainly easier to use than the sonograms in the Golden Books version and more familiar to me than descriptions in other birding series.
I recently bought this new edition of the Western Peterson guide and it is a significant improvement over the previous version, which I disliked very much. Maps accompany the bird's pictures rather than the maps just at the rear of the book. I don't get to go birding out west very often but when I do, I need the maps and flipping to the back was always inconvenient. The maps in the old edition were also not in the same order as the birds in the pictures, differing from the easy to follow sequential arrangement of my now crumbling (from use) Eastern guide.
But I agree with the comments several reviewers have already made. This book outgrew the label of field guide. This book is too big to fit the pocket of either my cargo pants or my fanny pack. When I do go west, it's usually on business and space is limited in my bag. This book will displace something else. Two copies of each map don't make sense to me. I like the suggestion that there be two parts, a field guide and an accompanying map book. That would be a good idea for the next edition of both books or perhaps just put those big maps in the combined version.
I recently bought this new edition of the Western Peterson guide and it is a significant improvement over the previous version, which I disliked very much. Maps accompany the bird's pictures rather than the maps just at the rear of the book. I don't get to go birding out west very often but when I do, I need the maps and flipping to the back was always inconvenient. The maps in the old edition were also not in the same order as the birds in the pictures, differing from the easy to follow sequential arrangement of my now crumbling (from use) Eastern guide.
But I agree with the comments several reviewers have already made. This book outgrew the label of field guide. This book is too big to fit the pocket of either my cargo pants or my fanny pack. When I do go west, it's usually on business and space is limited in my bag. This book will displace something else. Two copies of each map don't make sense to me. I like the suggestion that there be two parts, a field guide and an accompanying map book. That would be a good idea for the next edition of both books or perhaps just put those big maps in the combined version.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
JUST WHAT I WANTED
My old Peterson wore out (helped along by the dog), so I ordered a new one, concentrating on western birds. Very nice, helpful book.
Published 20 hours ago by A. Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars
Da Birds
A gift for our daughter and her family. This book allows the easy identification of many birds in the Seattle area.
Published 9 days ago by Martin Lieb
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
Easy to use, great maps on winter, summer and breeding areas. Details of birds and distinguishing characteristics. Mly husband and I use it regularly.
Published 9 days ago by Diane Nein
5.0 out of 5 stars
amazon books always the best
Great book, condition new. As always amazon books are just as advertised. A great guide for bird lovers and children who are learning nature. ,Joe Cotta
Published 23 days ago by Joe Cotta
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Field Guide
I bought this for my husband who is a wildlife biologist who loves birds. We are planning a trip out west and he wanted to study birds of the area before we traveled there. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jawbee
4.0 out of 5 stars
This book meets all my needs for identifying North American birds
The illustrations are clear and describe is detail the habits and locations of North American birds. I recommend all enthusiasts purchase this guide
Published 1 month ago by Tome
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's a Peterson Guide. What can I say?
The format of this guide is somewhat larger and "slicker" than the Peterson guides I grew up with; however, it maintains the same ease of use and depth of information the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by George G. Sims
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Guide to Birds
I purchased this as a gift for some friends in the Pacific Northwest who spend a lot of time on their boat and expressed an interest in having a book on board that would help the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kimberley S.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Peterson Field Guide
You can never have enough books. It seems as each book gives just another piece of information to help ID your birds in the field.
Published 1 month ago by Betty White
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
As all Peterson's Guides are, it's easy to use, serves its purpose perfectly, and referenced often when in the west.
Published 2 months ago by Sharon A. Pesselato
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