Peterson Guide to Bird Identification—in 12 Steps

Steven N.G. Howell, Brian L. Sullivan

• Publisher: Mariner Books
• Year: 2024
• Print ISBN: 9781328662064
• eBook ISBN: 9781328558138
• Subtopic: Ecology

"The birding equivalent of having Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking teach you how to count, add, subtract, multiply, and comprehend quantum mechanics." —Pete Dunne, author of  Birds of Prey
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 Birds That Audubon Missed
"If you are going to have a book-based conversation with bird experts about identification, Howell and Sullivan are going to be at the top of the list. . . . a highly opinionated book reflecting the approach and thoughts of the authors. Which is exactly what makes it a book that all birders should read, consult, and maybe even, like me, read again." —Donna Schulman, 10,000 Birds
"This book is friendly, non-intimidating, and even humorous. New birders can acquire some basics from this handy little book, and experienced birders can pick up some vital pointers, especially useful when helping the uninitiated." —Paul J. Baicich and Wayne Petersen,  The Birding Community E-Bulletin

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Contents
• Copyright
• Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History
• What Is This Book?
• You Can’t Get There from Here (Taxonomy)
• Why Is Birding Like Selling Real Estate? (Location)
• Are Your Feet Wet? (Habitat)
• Well-Seasoned Assumptions (Season)
• Can You See the Light? (Lighting)
• The Great Equalizer (Distance)
• What Are You Doing? (Behavior)
• Listen—What Do You Hear? (Sound)
• Shaping Your Experience (Structure)
• Feathers Make a Bird (Plumage)
• This Bird Looks Different (Variation)
• Write It Down (Notes)
• Summary
• Acknowledgments
• Notes
• Further Reading
• Photography Credits
• Index
• About the Authors