Better Birding reveals the techniques expert birders use to identify a wide array of bird species in the field—quickly and easily. Featuring hundreds of stunning photos and composite plates throughout, this book simplifies identification by organizing the birds you see into groupings and offering strategies specifically tailored to each group. Skill building focuses not just on traditional elements such as plumage, but also on creating a context around each bird, including habitat, behavior, and taxonomy—parts so integral to every bird's identity but often glossed over by typical field guides. Critical background information is provided for each group, enabling you to approach bird identification with a wide-angle view, using your eyes, brain, and binoculars more strategically, resulting in a more organized approach to learning birds. Better Birding puts the thrill of expert bird identification within your reach. Reveals the techniques used by expert birders for quick and easy identification Simplifies identification with strategies tailored to different groupings of birds Features hundreds of photos and composite plates that illustrate the different techniques Fosters a wide-angle approach to field birding Provides a foundation for building stronger birding skills

Offers tips and advice for how to improve bird watching skills, from choosing equipment and guides to where to watch and what features to look for when trying to identify a bird.

The essential tools you need to become a better birder This unique illustrated handbook provides all the essential tools you need to become a better birder. Here Derek Lovitch offers a more effective way to go about identification—he calls it the "Whole Bird and More" approach—that will enable you to identify more birds, more quickly, more of the time. He demonstrates how to use geography and an understanding of habitats, ecology, and even the weather to enrich your birding experience and help you find something out of the ordinary. Lovitch shows how to track nocturnal migrants using radar, collect data for bird conservation, discover exciting rarities, develop patch lists—and much more. This is the ideal resource for intermediate and advanced birders. Whether you want to build a bigger list or simply learn more about birds, How to Be a Better Birder will take your birding skills to the next level. Explains the "Whole Bird and More" approach to bird identification Demonstrates how to use geography, habitats, ecology, and the weather to be a better birder Shows how to bird at night using radar, collect conservation data, develop patch lists—and more Offers essential tools for intermediate and advanced birders

Pennsylvania is one of the best places to go birding in North America. From the shores of Lake Erie in the northwest and the great river basins of the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela to the central Allegheny Mountains and east along the Pocono Mountains and the rich farmlands and rolling hills of the south, the Keystone State has a great diversity of birds. The American Birding Association Field Guide to Birds of Pennsylvania includes more than 275 species birders are most likely to see in the commonwealth. Illustrated with hundreds of crisp, color photographs, it includes descriptions of each birds along with tips of when and where to see them, written by an expert Pennsylvanian birder. It's the perfect companion for anyone interested in the amazing diversity and beauty of Pennsylvania's birds.

Top 100 Birding Sites of the World features detailed accounts of the best birdwatching sites in the world, giving background and first-hand experience of what you can find there. Each is ranked from one to 100. The expertly written and very readable text is backed up by lavish photos of the birds and scenery at each of the chosen hot-spots, including rare images of amazing species and some of the world's best avian spectacles such as the Snow Goose 'blizzard' at Bosque del Apache and the swarms of Lesser Flamingos on Africa's Rift Valley Lakes. Coverage is global, with sites from across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia, North and South America and Antarctica. Whether you want to use it to plan your holidays for years to come, or just as an inspirational book to dip into, Top 100 Birding Sites of the World will have a wide appeal for all those with an interest in birds and birdwatching.

With more than 15,000 interior lakes and bordering both Lake Superior to the north and Lake Michigan to the east, Wisconsin is famous as a place to observe waterbirds of all types. It also has expansive forested areas, plains, and farmlands providing ideal habitats for hummingbirds, raptors, warblers, sparrows and more. And with nine national wildlife refuges, two national parks, and more than three million acres of IBAs (Important Bird Areas), Wisconsin is truly a great state for birds and birders. Written by expert Wisconsin birder Charles Hagner and filled with gorgeous color images by Brian E. Small, the American Birding Association Field Guide to Birds of Wisconsin is the perfect companion for anyone wanting to learn more about the natural history and diversity of the state's birds and when and where to see them.

A comprehensive guide to New York birdwatching from the American Birding Association The Empire State is one of the best places for birding in North America—from the Adirondack Mountains in the north; the Finger Lakes in the west; the Hudson Valley in the east; and the marshes, bays, and beaches of the south, New York provides habitats for an amazing array of birds. As a flyover state for many migrating species, backyard birders can see hundreds of species per year as they head north in the spring and south for the winter. TheAmerican Birding Association Field Guide to Birds of New York includes more than 300 species birders are most likely to see in the state. Illustrated with hundreds of crisp, color photographs, it includes descriptions of each bird along with tips of when and where to see them, written by an expert New York birder. It is the perfect companion for anyone interested in the amazing diversity and beauty of the birds of New York.