7 replies to this topic

[bluedog1us]

I think this is a Chipping Sparrow but not sure.  Bad picture but best I could get under the circumstances.

Attached Files

•  Unknown (6-28).jpg   495.54K   0 downloads

[Harrier]

Yup, Chipping Sparrow.

[wildfelco]

agree

[bluedog1us]

Thanks to both of you.  The field guide I have is Golden's "Birds of North America" and it show that the chipping sparrow doesn't live here (Louisiana), so it must be outdated.  Is there a better field manual to use?

[Harrier]

I used to use a golden guide, then I switched to Peterson, then Nat Geo. I would recommend either Peterson or Sibley for a beginning birder. "Big Sibley" can be a little too advanced for beginners, and even the smaller ones don't really show the birds in an understandable format, which is why I prefer Peterson. Either way, you should probably buy a strictly Eastern field guide. I now use a Sibley, along with my Nat Geo. For more field guide tips, check out the forum here: http://www.whatbird....read/28465.aspx

[cnybirder]

Harrier:

I used to use a golden guide, then I switched to Peterson, then Nat Geo. I would recommend either Peterson or Sibley for a beginning birder. "Big Sibley" can be a little too advanced for beginners, and even the smaller ones don't really show the birds in an understandable format, which is why I prefer Peterson. Either way, you should probably buy a strictly Eastern field guide. I now use a Sibley, along with my Nat Geo. For more field guide tips, check out the forum here: http://www.whatbird....read/28465.aspx

 I disagree. I don't see where "Big Sibley" is "too advanced" for beginners.  I have never found it hard to understand. Sibley's illustrations are the most accurate lifelike illustrations in any guide. Almost all his bird shapes are as you would see the bird in the field. He has illustrations of most plumages, which beginners have a hard time identifying. He has more fieldmarks and notes than peterson. Peterson's shapes are way off, all birds have the same shape and they do not look like they look in the field. I started with the "Big Sibley" and still use that as my main guide. I actually had Peterson first but that was before I was a birder. I was amazed at how much better Sibley was and how much easier it was to identify birds with Sibley than Peterson. But I guess we all have different opinions. 

 I would recommend Sibley to anyone.

 

 

[Harrier]

I don't mean to get into "Guide Wars," but I'll just chip in a bit more about why I think Peterson is more understandable. It's really a matter of personal preference, but when I stated birding, I didn't look much at shape, which Sibley does portray better. Too many birds, as in Sibley's Big guide, can be confusing. Comparing birds in the Sibley guides is tough, because there are so few birds per page. Peterson lays out the similar birds on one page, in one shape, and points out the plumage differences so that you can get a handle on identifying birds. I've learned more about shape in the field than in my books (except for The Shorebird Guide). Once again, this is just personal preference, and field guides are like clothes-- You just need to find the brand that works for you.

[fisherman1313]

cnybirder:

Harrier:

I used to use a golden guide, then I switched to Peterson, then Nat Geo. I would recommend either Peterson or Sibley for a beginning birder. "Big Sibley" can be a little too advanced for beginners, and even the smaller ones don't really show the birds in an understandable format, which is why I prefer Peterson. Either way, you should probably buy a strictly Eastern field guide. I now use a Sibley, along with my Nat Geo. For more field guide tips, check out the forum here: http://www.whatbird....read/28465.aspx

 I disagree. I don't see where "Big Sibley" is "too advanced" for beginners.  I have never found it hard to understand. Sibley's illustrations are the most accurate lifelike illustrations in any guide. Almost all his bird shapes are as you would see the bird in the field. He has illustrations of most plumages, which beginners have a hard time identifying. He has more fieldmarks and notes than peterson. Peterson's shapes are way off, all birds have the same shape and they do not look like they look in the field. I started with the "Big Sibley" and still use that as my main guide. I actually had Peterson first but that was before I was a birder. I was amazed at how much better Sibley was and how much easier it was to identify birds with Sibley than Peterson. But I guess we all have different opinions. 

 I would recommend Sibley to anyone.

I use Sibley, Nat. Geo., Peterson and Stokes and will get the Crossley when the western version comes out. All have their benefits. One of the main things I like about Sibley is that it is one of the few guides I have found that shows all the different species in flight.