Personally, I had little trouble navigating through this rather sizeable book. Everything from illustrations to maps are clearly laid out in an orderly manner. It is very important to be able to quickly find the information you need at critical moments when birding.

I also had few problems toting this book around. Any avid birder would be in good enough shape that a few extra pounds of baggage won't kill him.


A wonderful, practical guide!!   October 24, 2000
 56 out of 56 found this review helpful

After spending a weekend in the field with the new Sibley's, I can attest to the value of this book. Initially I was impressed by the many illustrations and detail that obviously go into every species description. Sibley spends needed time and space on difficult-to-identify species instead of just a couple of head profiles. On a weekend when I saw both Harlan's and Krider's Red-tailed Hawks (as well as the usual birds), this was quite welcome. The only item that could be a possible drawback with this book is that I don't feel enough attention was given to identifying habitat for many birds. When one is trying to Empidonax flycatchers, habitat is vital when making identification. While habitat is mentioned, I just don't think that it is given the importance it should have. That said, this book is a winner!! I wouldn't hesitate to purchase this book (or give it as a gift). It may replace your field guide of choice, but even if it doesn't it is an excellent supplement. As an aside - with all the splitting going on, this is the first book I've seen (I haven't looked at Kaufman's) that places Vireos with the Jays they have now been classified with. Also, all the most recent name changes have been included. Quite a benefit!


Great structure and approach to details   October 17, 2000
 35 out of 35 found this review helpful

Many a word has been said about this wonderful book and rightly so! It combines the styles of all the previous versions of birding guides, corrects their mistakes in structuring (e.g. maps or descriptions at the end of the book, etc.) and much more: you finally have the opportunity to see each bird from as many as five+ different positions, including flight patterns, and all on one page! The drawings remind me of those by Roger Tory Peterson, but you get more different angles. In a word, I would say this book represents a new generation of bird guides and sets a new standard of field guide publishing.

Very highly recommended.


The Best So Far!!   October 16, 2000
 9 out of 12 found this review helpful

I started with Chester Reed. In 1936 I went to the first Peterson and have used Peterson as my principal help ever since. Yesterday I saw a flycatcher that didn't quite fit.I thought I would try Sibley. In a glance my problem was solved!! This new book has my vote. GET IT. Peter Mott, Former Bird Study Instructor, Maine Camp, National Audubon; Former President, Florida Audubon; Former President, New York City Audubon


Get this book!   October 16, 2000
 38 out of 38 found this review helpful

The arrival of this book gives North American birders what their European counterparts have enjoyed for some time now - a first rate, superbly illustrated bird guide. The artwork by the author, David Sibley, is equal to the best work in the better European guides.

This is work by someone who knows what birds look like. And can convey that knowledge through a drawing. The colors are clear and bright (the way so many birds actually look when seen well) and though occasionally they may seem a touch off, they are probably as accurate as modern printing will allow. The figures are a refreshing change from the often too dark and dingy, over detailed, and awkward images in some other guides, North American or otherwise.

Where feather detail is needed, it's shown, see p. 186, Western Sandpiper, for example. The birds are accurately posed, and, equally important, they are well portrayed in terms of head and body shape and "facial" expression. The printing in my copy is excellent and tack sharp.

The organization and layout for this book is outstanding, and though it may remind some of the equally excellent Birds of Europe by Svensson, Mullarney, and Zetterstrom, it differs somewhat. For one thing, Sibley seems to treat birds more in terms of natural groupings than as completely individual entities. This reflects the more fluid context that many forms exist in, rather than our rigid and heirarchical taxonomies.

The text on the top of many pages refers to both (usually) of the species shown, and there are many other extra bits of information scattered throughout like this. Birds are shown by age and sex from top to bottom of the page. If you want to compare juvenile plumages of two similar species, you can find them both at the top of the column, just under the images of flying birds. All the birds on a plate generally face the same direction too, facilitating easy comparisons.

I would have liked to see more information on habitat and especially status, even though the latter is more subjective and can vary throughout a species' range. But these are minor complaints and the book really stands up as it is.

It's true, you won't be carrying this book in your pockets - unless they are particularly large ones! But it's no larger than many of the other international guides out, and lighter than many of them. Stick it in a book cover and drop it in your day bag or pack. You won't notice it! I recently carried one of the heavy international field guides for a couple of months in my pack. It wasn't the problem I thought it might be.

Probably the best technique for birding is to just leave it in your pack or car most of the time anyway, having studied it at home and gotten an idea of what to expect on the outing. But even very experienced birders may want to consult their guide on the spot occasionally. This one is no doorstop, so you'll be able to take it along.

Because of its excellent organization, outstanding illustrations, and up to date information, this is now the best bird guide for North America. Both beginners and experts will no doubt find it very useful. Thanks and congratulations to the author for such good work, and to all you birders out there, get this book!