Field Guide to North American Flycatchers: Empidonax and Pewees

by Cin-Ty Lee, Andrew Birch

A richly illustrated, portable field guide to flycatcher identification

The identification of Empidonax flycatchers and pewees can be a daunting challenge for even the most seasoned birder. Field Guide to North American Flycatchers takes bird identification to an entirely new level by training readers to observe subtle differences in structure, color patterns, and vocalizations before delving into the finer details of a particular species. Because the plumages of flycatchers are so similar, this one-of-a-kind guide uses illustrations that highlight slight variances among species that photos often miss. One of the last frontiers of bird identification is now accessible to everyone—once one knows what to look for.


Uses a holistic approach that makes flycatcher identification possible even for beginnersFeatures a wealth of beautiful illustrations that depict every species in North AmericaShows how to observe subtle differences in structure, plumage contrasts, and vocalizations, which together create a distinctive overall impression of the birdIncludes detailed audio spectrograms and seasonal distribution maps for each speciesShares invaluable tips for successful identification in all kinds of field settingsIts compact size and field-friendly layout make it the ideal travel companion for any birderCombined with the second volume in the Field Guide to North American Flycatchers series, which focuses on kingbirds and Myiarchus flycatchers, these companion guides are the most comprehensive and accessible treatments of flycatcher identification to date.

Genres: Birds, Field Guides, Science, Nonfiction, Natural History

168 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 4, 2023

Reviews

[Hannah Buschert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Field Guide to North American Flycatchers is the first guide from Cin-Ty Lee, illustrated by Andrew Birch that covers a difficult group of birds for beginners through expert birders.

There is a lot to like about this guide. Illustrations are beautiful, abundant, and clear to give you the tools to better tackles these species. I love that it combines a lot of different field guide components into each species: range maps, presence bar charts, sound spectrograms, general description, similar species, etc. Although it doesn't have a silver bullet, it gives you a lot of great tools for your toolkit.

Additionally, it is small enough to fit in your pocket or field bag for easy studying while faced with a difficult species in the field. Can't wait for the next volume!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I think birding books with live photography are superior, so this book was unlikely to be a favorite for me but as someone who does like and appreciate bird art, I thought I'd try it. Overall, I think the information in the book is useful, although on a very limited, tight group of birds and I wish they'd included more species/more lookalike comparisons to other species outside the scope of this book. That said, the pictures are fine, but (maybe in part because they're of such similar birds and the differences needed to be exaggerated) they felt slightly cartoonish and even the flycatchers I know well are hard to recognize here. If you enjoy/benefit from books with drawings, this is the book for you. If, like me, you prefer or have an easier time with photography, the information in the book is good but the art is really not helpful and I would stick to other reference guides.

*Update - just read that the authors are releasing a volume 2 (more flycatcher species) and a volume 3 (more complete edition), which I think is great, because I definitely wanted more species from them. I wish there were photographs, supported by art, but I realize lots of birders seem to prefer art, so I'm probably outvoted there. Still, I plan to buy volume 2.

[Mike Clay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent field guide to Empids and pewees. I am an experienced birder, yet struggle sometimes with IDs. The drawings by Andrew Birch are excellent. It uses a holistic approach to ID, and includes audio spectrograms to aid in ID.
For example, E. minimus is " a small, compact, big-headed and short-tailed Empid. Primary projection is short. Bright wingbars and dark ground color of wing result in strong contrast. Wingbars also contrast with upperparts. Crown is round with moderate forehead angle. Lower mandible is completely pale. Bill is small with broad base. Tail is narrow, often narrowing slightly toward body. Eye-ring is full asnd bold, but often diffuse and sometimes thinner at the top. Lores are often pale. Least habitually flicks wings and tail. It typically forages at low to mid-canopy and on the outer edges of shrubs and trees. Prebasic molt begins on summering grounds, but it is completed (flight feathers) on wintering grounds."
This book is best read before going into the field. A convenient bar chart of things like tail length, width, primary projection etc is provided which can be used in the field.

[Travis Derby · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I was a little cautious with regards to the price and how niche the subject is.

However upon receiving and looking through the book, I can assure anyone that this book is WELL WORTH it and then SOME!

The print and paper quality is top notch, along with the art, and for the subject matter.... well I believe that this is the first and last guide I will ever need on the elusive flycatcher, such a great resource! I wish there were more books made like this one for other birds.

If you want to learn more about Flycatchers... and who doesn't? This is THE definitive book for you.

[Vjera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light enough to carry in the field, however the cover is bigger than the book and felt awkward in my small hands. I liked the focus on shape and structure—learning that helped me with shorebirds, we shall see if it helps here also.
The illustrations are nicely arranged in similar patterns, making it easier to see the structures emphasized. I don’t think that could be accomplished with photos.
There’s a surprising amount of white space in the book, disorienting at times.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very nice field guide to a very challenging group of birds, the Empidonax flycatchers. The guides uses illustrations, not photos, but I believe that adds to the educational value of the book as it allows the illustrator to “average” characteristics seen in each species.

I also liked the work on the maps which now show the timing each species can be expected to migrate each Spring and Fall.

[Gary Dorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Makes these difficult species manageable. Kenn Kaufman was the first to make identification of these species possible to the average birder in his Advanced Birding, this book goes way beyond in making identification of most Empids a real possibility. I highly recommend for anyone who wants to take their birding to the next level.

[Kim Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

The following Empidonax and Pewees addressed in this book are the ones I have seen to date: YBFL, ACFL, ALFL, WIFL, LEFL, EAPH, EAWP.