The Art of Bird Identification: A Straightforward Approach to Putting a Name to the Bird

by Pete Dunne, David Gothard (Illustrator)

How to get good, then better, then even better at identifying birds in the field-and have fun doing it A straightforward approach from Pete Dunne, one of the country's top birders and birding instructors, written in his distinctive style Includes descriptive information for 75 bird groups to help get the ID process off on the right foot Practical, expert advice and entertaining in-the-field examples of birding successes and common mistakes

Genres: Birds, Nature, Nonfiction, Science, Reference

147 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2012

Reviews

[Garrett Haynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provides some helpful advice in learning how to identify birds. It is not a systematic approach such as start at the bill and work toward the tail picking out each feature, his technique is more about taking in the whole bird, it’s appearance, behavior, and environment to narrow down possibilities and figure out the bird. One helpful tip is to really study the bird. How does it fly or hop from branch to branch. How does it move it’s head. How does it feed. Describe it in as much detail as possible and really get an image of the bird in your brain. Then once you out a name to it there will be a whole image of the bird and characteristics to associate the name with.

[Mark Nenadov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dunn has a lot of good insight. A helpful, easy read with some humorous flair. Probably best suited to a beginner on their way to intermediate experience.

[Dan N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 stars.

[Deborah J. Kainauskas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Must read for evety birder.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid advice on demystifying the process of identification.

[Trisha Roberson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Useful tips for identifying birds. Describe size compared to a well known bird, eg smaller than a crow. Describe habitat and activity. Colour of breast, head, wings.