This is a very entertainingand somewhat helpful compilation of stories and tips for birders. The tips are contributed by many individuals. Most of the tips are meant to be constructive, but some are just humor. Both make the book worth reading.

There is a common thread in this book that I've seen in many books on bird watching that are not field guides. Several authors suggest that most birdwatchers go through an evolution their approach to birds. The authors point out that new bird watchers are heavily concentrated in bird identification. Then more advanced birders usually progress to listing and are called "birders" or "tickers". A later stage often follows in which the observer actually observes the bird behavior, no longer trying to cover a lot of ground and see what is around the next bend or next habitat. Alternatively, some advanced birders turn more to concentrating on range distribution or changes in range distribution and abundance. Some of the contributors in this book recommend that birders who are becoming less interested in their passtime take up these next levels of bird observation; behavior study and distribution. These are good suggestions as are many of the others. I recommend this book for bird watchers of all levels. ( )

Editor Lisa White has compiled a decent collection of short essays by leading birders on a wide range of topics. These are articles that will overwhelm a casual birder with extreme detail. They are simple, often humorous takes on making the best of whatever birding experiences you choose to have, starting with the mix of seeds you put in a feeder out back. Each writer tosses in a few hundred words on a different topic. Their advice includes how to be a better observer and note-taker, choosing practical optics, and whether organized tours are right for you.

I watch birds but don’t maintain a life list. That’s my shame as a birder. This book addresses that, too. One of the essays suggests alternate lists for folks not interested in a single, all-encompassing list. It was interesting, but I’ll likely never get around to those either.

Good Birders Don’t Wear White was a quick read and one in which the short chapters made it easy to manage a few pages at a time. Most of the essays were enjoyable.

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