I've been birding for more than twenty-five years, so I've built up quite a collection of guides. Sibley has become my new favorite, incorporating the best of the rest.

The layout of the book features an introductory section that discusses bird classification, range explanations, discussions of species variation,taxonomy, and songs/calls. Then the book follows the order of bird groups that were found in the original Peterson guides, explaining each group and its individuals.

An average page will include:
* A genus breakdown featuring one or two species with info
* Weights, lengths, and wingspreads
* A brief description with taxonomy to note
* Flight paintings (wings up, wings down)
* A minimum of three side paintings: usually juvenile, adult female, and adult male
* Picture pointers for features of note
* A vocal description
* Maps of range with season distinctions and rare sighting pinpoints

This is similar to many other field guides, but there are features of "Sibley" that are unique:

* The sheer breadth of coloration, hybrid, and regional variations in the paintings is extraordinary. This greatly aids in resolving issues where the bird on hand doesn't look exactly like more simplistic guides' illustrations. In other words, if the variant isn't listed for a certain bird here, it doesn't exist!

* Though essentially a paperback, it has a reinforced binding and flexible plasticized cover that give the book the durability expected of a guide while avoiding the more rigid covers that sometimes twist in a backpack and cause the spine to break. Thick pages resist bending and tearing.

* Clean layout. Despite the sheer amount of info on a given page, it is easy on the eyes and cleanly-associated with a specific bird. You won't mix up what you are reading or looking at.

* The size of the illustrations enables detail to come through (but see below.)

* Very current. Allows for migrants and released birds not found in other guides.

* Includes a pictorial overview of groups so a user can see a comparison of birds within a like group.

There are so many good things to say about this guide, but there are a few detractions. The biggest (pun intended) concerns the size, which is fifty percent larger than your average guide. This makes it unwieldy when compared with some other guides on the market. As a result, it is far heavier, too. It lacks a checklist format in the index for keeping a "life list" of birds seen. Lastly, it is a bit short on behaviors that might aid in identification. I suppose these were kept for the companion Sibley guide covering bird behavior, also an excellent book.

I still consider the old "Golden Guide" with illustrations by Arthur Singer to be the best true field guide (because of its combination of excellent graphics and small size), but as a more comprehensive work, nothing beats Sibley. Any serious birder must have this book.

Happy birding!


The only drawback is size   February 15, 2003
 8 out of 8 found this review helpful

I don't usually carry this in the field (unless I expect to encounter tricky birds like sandpipers or gulls) due to its size, but it is definitely the new standard for field guides.

UPDATE: There are now Eastern and Western versions of this guide available, which makes it my hands-down favorite.

This book gives you nearly every view of a bird. Every species has at least 4 views with perched and flying, plus juvenile, female, male, winter, fall, or whatever other plumage variation you find. There are over 40 illustrations for the Red-tailed Hawk alone!

I'm hoping someone will catch on to this format and make fish, herp or mammal guides with this many beautiful illustrations.

One caution: If you're just getting into birding, I would not recommend you start with this book. I still have a special place in my heart for the classic Peterson guide and it's a lot simpler to navigate at first.


Excellent Resource   January 7, 2003
 4 out of 6 found this review helpful

I can't believe this book as reviewed only has 4.5 stars. I own 2 shelves full of books on birds and birding and at least 5 field guides. This is a 5 star birding field guide. While I agree, it is difficult to carry, and the Nat'l Geo. field guide is a good second choice, count me as one of Sibley's fans. Makes identifying some of the more difficult birds much easier. If you are serious about birding, it's a "must have."


Complete   January 1, 2003
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I am so pleased to have my Sibley's to reference. I have found it an articulate, discrete, identification resource. It provides wonderful in-flight descriptions, and immatures. Best success with other bird guides (national geographic) as cross-reference companions. I believe that it is a just complaint that it too large for easy pocket-slipping, but the lay-out is easily read with lots of white space. I suggest color-coded tabs for easier section access in the field. Appreciated that it was not dumbed-down too much for an amateur.


The absolute best   December 17, 2002
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

This book is the absolute best money can buy if you want to identify North American birds. It's bigger than the other guides ,and for some people that means it's a bit inconvenient; but it's so good at what it does, I bring it along with me on hikes anyway. Every time. I carry it in my binocular case around my shoulder. Golden and Petersons stay at home.