Here is why. Sibley is very large--about 13 sq inches larger the BNA and 18 sq inches large than Golden, too large to fit in any pocket and it is "heavy".

The art work is good with many more view than either of the other two books, but the descriptive text is very limited.

Here is an example: Huttons vireo.

There are five pictures in Sibley. Two in NGS and one in Golden. But in my opinion only one of this bird is all that is required. Others may disagree. Sibley has one sentence describing this bird 15 words. NGS has 85 words. Golden, 79 words. All three note that Huttons vireo is similar to the ruby crowned kinglet, but Golden and NGS show you a picture of the kinglet right beside the vireo and explain how to tell them apart. Sibley just says to compare it to the kinglet.


The Sibley Guide to Birds: Field Identification   March 24, 2001
This rating should actually be a four and a half, the only drawback on the wonderful book is it is to large for a field guide. With this book you will have no doubt in identifying your bird. Have fun.


The Sibley Guide to Birds: Field Identification   March 24, 2001
 3 out of 7 found this review helpful

This rating should actually be a four and a half, the only drawback on the wonderful book is it is to large for a field guide. With this book you will have no doubt in identifying your bird. Have fun.


Eggzactly Wrong   February 3, 2001
 4 out of 46 found this review helpful

This is a book about identifying birds. The index does not include the word "egg", nor can any trace of the word be easily discovered....certainly no pictures. I am very disappointed with this monstrous oversight.


Wonderful - get it!   January 13, 2001
 18 out of 19 found this review helpful

Absolutely the best bird identification guide I have. Worth every penny of the cover price. It is not really too large for carrying into the woods though it is indeed larger than most field guids - and the precise, carefully described illustrations make it far more helpful than photographic guides, and even - I never thought I'd say this! - than Peterson's. Buy this at once - every bird lover will love this book.