Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 Guide to the Birds of Alaska October 4, 2007
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is a comprehensive guide to the birds that inhabit Alaska. I would like to see range and distibution maps of the birds and more than one or two pictures of a particular species.
 Guide to the Birds of Alaska January 18, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Was an invaluable reference on my Alaska trip. The pictures are wonderful. Easy to use.
Loved having it August 16, 2006
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
We've traveled to Alaska more than once, and both times enjoyed having this guide book along to help identify birds, especially those not seen in the lower 48 states.
From sooty shearwaters and bald eagles to horned and tufted puffins, one can find all sorts of sea and birds of prey here, as well as wood and grassland birds.
A wonderful source to carry along and help identify species one has previously never seen.
Guide to the Birds of Alaska July 27, 2006
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
This guide help me to eliminate some of the birds that are not in Alaska. The pictures are not real clear, so it was difficult to use for identifying purposes. The script did suggest possible other bird that are similar, and was helpful it that way.
 A truly beautiful book but not necessarily enough August 15, 2005
29 out of 29 found this review helpful
Armstrong's book is filled with beautiful photographs and covers all the regular species that you will see in Alaska. It is a great introduction to the birds that inhabit the area. Every Alaskan birdwatcher should have a copy.
But, if you are a beginning birder, or new to the Northwest you might need a different field guide. Animals are illustrated with one, two, or three photographs. Unfortunately photographic guides are often deceiving in the field. I recommend you take another good field guide with you.
Each species has 90 to 100 words to cover field marks, similar species, voice and habitat. In some cases like the Black-Backed Woodpecker, only 56 words are used. The writing is great, but the scope of the book does not allow in-depth coverage of each species.
Range finding is limited to a chart with six rows for regions and four rows for seasons. In Alaska, six regions are equal to six average states in the lower forty eight and saying Common, Uncommon or Rare in a region doesn't help pinpoint the species much. A map would do better to give an idea of locations (at least pointing out a species as coastal, or centered on mountain ranges in a given area etc.)
I wouldn't talk anyone out of getting this book, it is beautiful and well written, but if you are planning a birding trip and need to find locations - try West's A Birders Guide to Alaska, and if you are unsure of your ability to indentify birds in Alaska, at least augment this book with the Sibley or National Geographic Guides. If you going to one of the shorebird festivals, definitely get a specialized guide like Paulson's Shorebird Guide.
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