Peterson Guide To Bird Identification―in 12 Steps

by Steve N.G. Howell, Brian L. Sullivan

Identifying birds can be overwhelming. Where and how do you start? The good news is that most people already know more than they realize about birds, which can greatly simplify the identification process.
     Written in a helpful, conversational style and illustrated with numerous photos, this “12-step program” starts with the basics and builds logically into a manageable framework that enables anyone to get into, or get more out of, the world of watching, identifying, and enjoying birds.
 
“Identifying birds is a science and an art. These leading masters of the craft share a wealth of inside knowledge in this gem of a book. If you’re a birder at any level of experience, I guarantee this book will improve your skills in the field.” —Kenn Kaufman, author of the Kaufman Field Guide to Advanced Birding
 
“The birding equivalent of having Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking teach you how to count, add, subtract, multiply, and comprehend quantum mechanics. Bird watchers at every skill level will garner insights from this book.” — Pete Dunne, author of Birds of Prey


STEVE N. G. HOWELL is an international bird tour leader with WINGS, a popular speaker and trip leader at birding festivals, and author of numerous books and articles. He lives in California.

BRIAN SULLIVAN works on eBird and digital publications at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. He lives in California.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Birds, Reference, Ornithology, Science

160 pages, Hardcover

Published April 3, 2018

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pithy and even humorous little book that makes a great case for these twelve steps in bird identification: taxonomy, location, habitat, season, lighting, distance, behavior, sound, structure, plumage, variation, and notes. With a thorough look at each of those elements, the reader who follows this guide should be able to make a very educated guess at identification. I love how the authors admit that everyone makes mistakes in birding, and they never take themselves too seriously. There are some beautiful photographs and great comparisons and examples to help birders develop their skills.

[Martin Arriaga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to learn the basics of how to begin bird watching. It is full of very helpful information and is delivered in an easy to understand way. This book makes bird watching feel very approachable.

[Douglass Gaking · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a helpful resource for thinking about bird identification. Most importantly, it emphasizes factors other than plumage. It is easy to overlook and to forget other factors that are much more critical. These authors humbly and humorously teach birders how to get it right without getting uptight.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a guide with different kinds of birds, but an explanation of issues and things to think about when using those guides, and it is top-notch. The organization is fantastic, the examples are plentiful, and there is great use of humor and logic.

I read the book because it was on a recommended list. Those lists can really be hit or miss, but this book deserved it.

[Jason Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed this book for a friend, with intentions of gifting it to a younger new birder. The information is written in a way that aims at new birders, but is not elementary in itself, meaning that children may not benefit from the information as much as adults. Some concepts will be hard to portray to a child, such as habitat differences or how bird plumage changes with the seasons. But for what it is, the book is a wealth of information and I will surely add a copy to my bookshelf as a reference for new birders.

[Dan Watts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick and easy read, and is accessible to those who know little about birdwatching. The authors do a good job of avoiding minutia and terminology, focusing on the relatively simple steps that a beginner needs to know and can reasonably handle. However, almost all of the examples and photos are birds that I've never heard of, so the trick to identifying them meant little to me. I think they are birds commonly found in the southern US, but pretty much unknown up here in Canada.

[Tonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book for beginner and more experienced birders alike. I've been interested in birds my whole life, and I started keeping track and trying to identify birds for the last five years. This book has some great tips on identifying birds, many I haven't heard before. The book is funny and light but very informative. I highly recommend it for birders!

[Keith Strachan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent guide to approaching birding sensibly, following a logical 12 step process that the author details well.

The many clear and detailed examples with wonderfully illustrative images served to support the narrative that birding is a delightfully dynamic yet complex, thoughtful, and oft’ times challenging activity.

Great accessible read for all levels of birders.

[Eila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pues ví La Residencia con Uzo Aduba y lo que más me gustó fue todo lo de la observación de pájaros. Sabía que existía pero no que fuera algo tan serio y como siempre me han gustado las aves (tengo comedero y bebedero en casa) me pareció que podía ser un gran hobby, especialmente cuando ando en Jalisco y Nayarit. Y este librito me dio mucho por donde empezar. Ideal para principiantes.

[Abby Tamkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice little book giving an outline of how to identify birds. Here is the list of 12 items to consider. And the order does matter!
Taxonomy (make sure it's a bird)
Location (where are you)
Habitat
Season
Lighting
Distance
Behavior
Sound
Structure
Plumage
Variation
Notes

[Dorothy Timm · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a birder struggling with bird ID, this book has some good tips. But be aware, it's NOT of interest to the Non-birder.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of all the things to consider when identifying birds.

[Jen D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and semi-helpful

[Paula Perdoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read
TAXONOMY
LOCATION
HABITAT
LIGHTING
DISTANCE
BEHAVIOR
SOUND
STRUCTURE
PLUMAGE
VARIATION

[Jane Considine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would have been helpful to me if I had read it when I first became a birder. A very good resource for people new to birding or people like me who are still learning.

[Marie Hesler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative book to help in identifying birds. I am not sure if I will ever succeed in identifying birds. But I enjoy the challenge. This book provides 12 steps to help narrow down the choices and helps you to select the most likely option.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a good read It helped this begining birder immensely. Well written and humorous when it needed to be.