Bird book suggestions

[Caleb S]

I'm looking for suggestions on a quality book for identifying bird species and hope someone can help me out. I have looked at a bunch of options online but first hand experience would be helpful.

[Jim Almquist]

The 2 that I and many others use are Sibleys East of the Rockies and National Geographic. They both have good pictures and descriptions but if I had to pick one it would be the Sibleys.

[Steve Foss]

I've been birding since 1972, and I have used them all. I agree with Jim. The Sibley Guide to Birds is the best out there. I have the larger one that covers the whole of North America, because birders travel and birds don't respect range maps in field guides. Its companion volume, The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior, is also excellent. When I want to ID a bird I use the birding guide. When I want to find out how a bird species lives, what it eats and more, I use the companion guide.

[buzzsaw]

Sibley is my favorite. Petersons is okay.

[jonny_redhorse]

Again the "Sibleys"!.....My version is"Guide to Birds"by David Allen Sibley.....very exacting details in the illustrations for each bird species....not photos in this book but rather painted(or ink/pencil) illustrations...I think I paid $28.00 for it....