Sibley's Birding Basics

<b>From the renowned author of the&#160;<i>New York Times</i>&#160;best seller&#160;<i>The Sibley Guide to Birds&#160;</i>a comprehensive beautifully illustrated guide to identifying birds in the field. <i>Sibley's Birding Basics</i> is an essential companion&#160;for birders of all skill and experience levels.</b><br><br>With Sibley as your guide learn how to interpret what the feathers the anatomical structure the sounds of a bird tell you. When you know the clues that show you why there&#146;s no such thing as for example &#147;just a duck&#148; birding will be more fun and more meaningful. An essential addition to the Sibley shelf!<i><br><br>The Sibley Guide to Birds</i>&#160;and&#160;<i>The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior</i>&#160;are both universally acclaimed as the new standard source of species information. And now David Sibley America&#146;s premier birder and best-known bird artist turns his attention to the general characteristics that influence the appearance of all birds unlocking the clues to their identity.<br><br>In 200 beautifully rendered illustrations and 16 essays this scientifically precise volume distills the essence of Sibley&#146;s own experience and skills providing a solid introduction to &#147;naming&#148; the birds.&#160;<i>Birding Basics</i>&#160;reviews how one can get started as a birder&#151;the equipment necessary where and when to go birding and perhaps most important the essential things to look for when birds appear in the field&#151;as well as the basic concepts of bird identification and the variations that can change the appearance of a bird over time or in different settings. Sibley also provides critical information&#160;on the aspects of avian life that differ from species to species: feathers (color arrangement shape molt) behavior and habitat and sounds.