Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Birds

I have so many bird guides but this is the one that I always go back to! When I started out, I didn't understand why the author used drawings, but now I know it's brilliant. Birds look different in every photograh but a drawing with an arrow pointing to a good ID feature is key! Wondrful book, my only complaint is that I always want more information about a species than the small paragraph given. This book was designed to be carried on a birding trip so I guess it can't be a tome.

This book was owned by my mother--who was the nature lover and birder in the family. She found more to watch then you might expect living in New York City. We lived near Central Park, which is something of a bird sanctuary. This book taught her a lot that she passed on to me, Though I'm by no means the naturist she was, I do appreciate the way this book made me more aware of the birds around me. I was oblivious before to all but the pigeons ("rock doves" in this book) and sparrows. After this I was more aware of the occasional American Robin, Cardinal and Blue Jays I'd see around the streets, let alone the Mourning Dove, Chickadees, Mockingbird, Oriole, Tufted Titmice among others I could spot in Central Park. Somehow it all made New show more York City a friendlier and more magical place. show less

I remember this book fondly as my father had and used a previous edition to identify birds around our house when I was a boy in Maine. As such a book is a tool in the field, perhaps some commentary is needed about its qualities as a tool. The pages are glossy and have a thick feel, and the format between soft-back and hard-back is pliable and feels good in the hand. The other tools within the book are useful: a Latin species name index, regular index, and checklist for the species for the reader to tick off when they have seen a specific bird. The map section seems a little overkill as it takes up 20% or so of the pages and I do quite well using the thumbnail size maps listed alongside each species. And the similar, necessary posing of show more the birds from the side, could be augmented with some different poses: from time to time I see a bird head-on or under it and want the book to validate the girth or other qualities of the bird which can't be done with most of the pictures in the book. Overall, the book is fine, time-tested, and perfect for home use. show less

A classic that, after many decades, has finally been surpassed. If you need something for your bird feeder window or car, this may be ok. Otherwise take the time to pore through the Sibley Guide.

Peterson's illustrations, organization and tips on how to distinguish similar species make identifying birds as easy as it can be for befuddled city folk like myself.

This is the copy that belonged to my grandmother. It gives excellent descriptions of the birds of North American. Great for bird watchers.

Not my favorite field guide. The illustrations are excellent, but I don't like having to look up maps in the back of the book. I consider this a good supplemental guide, but it's not one I often carry in the field.