Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America
$8.90
Pros
- good for novice and intermediate birders
- small and light-weight
- based on high-quality photos
- brief text expertly captures the essence of the bird and ID challenges
Cons
- too brief to be very useful for expert birders trying to nail down a difficult ID. This just isn’t that kind of book
- Some users prefer illustrations
“Perhaps the best benefit to the Kaufman series of field guides – which also includes Insects, Butterflies, and Mammals – is the ability for kids of all ages to pick up and use the book with great ease. …”
“While we own tons of field guides (and family specific books), the Kaufman is the one we turn to the most. But of course, using multiple guides is highly recommended.”
Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America
January 15, 2008
The Birdfreak Team (BirdFreak.com)
“This guide is a rare combination of innovative, portable and packed with useful information, reflecting Kenn Kaufman’s gift for observing and teaching about nature.”
FieldGuideReview.com
March 1, 2016
Field Guide Review Team (FieldGuideReview.com)
Publisher’s Description:
In 2000 Houghton Mifflin first published the Kaufman Focus Guide to the Birds of North America. Critically acclaimed for its innovative design, the Kaufman guide began introducing a new generation to birding. In 2005, this new Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America is now the most up-to-date field guide, including dozens of changes by the American Ornithologists’ Union in official names of birds; the addition of new species to reflect the latest scientific discoveries; and dozens of updated range maps. Additional information helps beginning birdwatchers get started, all in the same compact format that has made this guide the easiest to use for fast identification in the field.
Comments
Portability
9.80
Quality
9.70
Features
9.60
Usability
9.90
Completeness
8.80
Although this is not the guide I carry, it is one of the guides I recommend for beginners. I feel it has the best text of any modern guide.