Beginners to Identify Birds Like a Pro

Are you new to birding and looking for the best books to help you identify birds? Picking up a good field guide is one of the most important things you can do when starting out in birdwatching. But with so many options, it can be overwhelming to choose the right book.

In this guide, we'll cover the top 10 best birding books for beginners, including:

• Comprehensive field guides that cover all the birds in your region
• Beginner-friendly guides with clear photos and descriptions
• Regional guides focused on the birds found in your part of the country
• Specialty guides for topics like backyard birds, bird behavior, and more

We'll explain what makes each book great for new birders and share tips on how to use them effectively. By the end, you'll know exactly which books to get to take your birding skills to the next level.

Let's dive in!

1. The Sibley Guide to Birds

The best comprehensive field guide for beginners

The Sibley Guide to Birds by David Allen Sibley is one of the most popular and comprehensive field guides available. It covers over 810 North American bird species with detailed illustrations and descriptions.

What makes it great for beginners:

• Illustrations show birds from multiple angles and in various plumages, making identification easier
• Concise descriptions cover key field marks, behavior, habitat, and more
• Range maps show where each species is found
• Spiral binding lays flat for easy use in the field

The Sibley Guide comes in two versions - one covering Eastern and Central North America, and one for Western North America. Whichever region you live in, it's a must-have reference book for your birding library.

Tip: Focus on learning the most common birds in your area first. Sibley's range maps will help you quickly identify which species are likely to be seen in your region.

2. National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America

A close second for the best comprehensive field guide

The National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America is another top pick for beginners. Like Sibley's guide, it covers hundreds of North American species with illustrations and descriptions.

What makes it great for beginners:

• Illustrations show birds perched and in flight
• Descriptions include information on size, shape, behavior, habitat, and more
• Range maps show seasonal differences in distribution
• Thumb tabs make it easy to quickly flip to the right section

The National Geographic guide is a bit more compact than Sibley's, making it a good choice if you want a book that's easy to carry in the field. It's also available in a spiral-bound version for even easier use.

Tip: Use the size and shape information in the descriptions to quickly narrow down possibilities when identifying an unfamiliar bird.

3. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior

The best book for learning about bird behavior and biology

While The Sibley Guide to Birds focuses on field identification, The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior takes a deeper dive into the lives of birds. It covers topics like anatomy, physiology, flight, feeding, nesting, and more.

What makes it great for beginners:

• Detailed illustrations and diagrams explain bird anatomy and behavior
• Chapters cover different aspects of a bird's life cycle
• Includes information on conservation and threats to birds
• Provides a foundation for understanding bird identification

While not a field guide, this book is a great companion to Sibley's field guide. It will help you understand the "why" behind the field marks and behaviors you observe, making you a better birder overall.

Tip: Read the chapter on bird anatomy and plumage before heading out in the field. Understanding feather types and body parts will help you describe what you see.

4. The Sibley Guide to Trees

A must-have for learning bird habitats

While not a bird book per se, The Sibley Guide to Trees is a valuable resource for birders. Many birds are closely associated with certain tree species, so learning to identify trees can help you predict what birds you might find in a given habitat.

What makes it great for beginners:

• Covers over 600 tree species found in eastern and central North America
• Illustrations show leaves, bark, fruit, and winter buds
• Descriptions include information on size, shape, habitat, and more
• Compact size makes it easy to carry in the field

Knowing the trees in your area will help you narrow down bird species based on their preferred habitats. For example, if you see a bird in an oak tree, you can eliminate species that don't typically use oak habitats.

Tip: Use the tree guide in conjunction with your bird guide to learn about the habitats of different bird species. Over time, you'll start to recognize bird-tree associations.

5. The Backyard Birder

The best book for attracting birds to your yard

If you're interested in attracting birds to your backyard, The Backyard Birder by John V. Dennis is a great resource. It covers everything from setting up feeders and birdhouses to creating bird-friendly landscaping.

What makes it great for beginners:

• Includes profiles of common backyard bird species
• Provides tips for choosing the right feeders and food
• Offers advice on creating a bird-friendly yard with native plants
• Covers basic bird behavior and biology

By learning how to attract birds to your yard, you'll have more opportunities to observe them up close and practice your identification skills. You'll also be helping to support local bird populations.

Tip: Start with a basic bird feeder and seed mix to attract common species like sparrows, finches, and chickadees. As you learn more, you can add specialized feeders and foods to attract a wider variety of birds.

6. The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America

The best regional field guide for the eastern US

If you live in the eastern United States, The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America is a great choice. It covers all the birds found east of the Rocky Mountains, with a focus on the species most likely to be seen in the region.

What makes it great for beginners:

• Illustrations show birds from multiple angles and in various plumages
• Descriptions cover key field marks, behavior, habitat, and more
• Range maps show where each species is found year-round
• Compact size is easy to carry in the field

By focusing on the birds found in your region, this guide will help you learn the species you're most likely to encounter. It's a great complement to a comprehensive guide like Sibley's or National Geographic's.

Tip: Use the range maps to identify birds that are rare or out of season for your area. If you see a bird that's not shown on the map, it might be an unusual sighting worth reporting.

7. The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America

The best regional field guide for the western US

For birders in the western United States, The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America is the regional guide to have. It covers all the birds found west of the Rocky Mountains, with a focus on the species most likely to be seen in the region.

What makes it great for beginners:

• Illustrations show birds from multiple angles and in various plumages
• Descriptions cover key field marks, behavior, habitat, and more
• Range maps show where each species is found year-round
• Compact size is easy to carry in the field

Like the eastern guide, this book will help you focus on the birds you're most likely to see in your region. It's a great way to narrow down your options when faced with an unfamiliar bird.

Tip: Use the habitat information in the descriptions to predict what birds you might find in different environments. For example, if you're hiking in a coniferous forest, you can focus your search on birds that use that habitat.

8. The Sibley Guide to Bird Behavior

The best book for learning about bird behavior

While The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior covers bird biology and anatomy, The Sibley Guide to Bird Behavior focuses specifically on bird behavior. It covers topics like feeding, nesting, courtship, and migration.

What makes it great for beginners:

• Detailed illustrations and diagrams explain bird behaviors
• Chapters cover different aspects of a bird's life cycle
• Includes information on bird communication and social behavior
• Provides a foundation for understanding bird identification

By learning about bird behavior, you'll be able to predict what birds might do next and understand the context of their actions. This will make you a more observant and knowledgeable birder.

Tip: Pay attention to bird behavior when you're out in the field. Is the bird feeding, singing, or defending territory? Knowing what to look for will help you identify birds more accurately.

9. The Stokes Field Guide to the Birds of North America

A great alternative to Sibley and National Geographic

If you're looking for a field guide that's a bit different from Sibley's and National Geographic's, consider The Stokes Field Guide to the Birds of North America by Donald and Lillian Stokes. It covers over 850 species with detailed illustrations and descriptions.

What makes it great for beginners:

• Illustrations show birds from multiple angles and in various plumages
• Descriptions cover key field marks, behavior, habitat, and more
• Range maps show where each species is found
• Includes information on bird behavior and biology

The Stokes guide is a bit more compact than Sibley's and National Geographic's, making it a good choice if you want a book that's easy to carry in the field. It's also a great alternative if you prefer a different style of illustration or description.

Tip: Use the behavior and habitat information in the descriptions to help narrow down your identification. If you see a bird feeding on the ground in a grassy field, you can eliminate species that don't use that habitat or feeding method.

10. The Sibley eGuide to the Birds of North America

The best digital field guide for beginners

While physical field guides are great for learning, digital guides can be incredibly useful in the field. The Sibley eGuide to the Birds of North America is one of the best digital guides available. It includes all the content from Sibley's print guides, plus additional features.

What makes it great for beginners:

• Illustrations and descriptions from Sibley's print guides
• Includes audio recordings of bird songs and calls
• Allows you to search for birds by name, appearance, or location
• Syncs across devices so you always have it with you
• The Sibley eGuide is available as an app for iOS and Android devices, as well as a web app. It's a great complement to a physical field guide, and can be incredibly useful when you need to quickly identify a bird in the field.

Tip: Use the audio recordings to learn bird songs and calls. Being able to identify birds by sound will make you a better birder, especially during migration when birds are more vocal.

Conclusion

These are the 10 best birding books for beginners, covering everything from comprehensive field guides to specialty books on behavior and attracting birds to your yard. By starting with one or two of these books and using them regularly, you'll be well on your way to becoming a skilled birder.

Remember, the most important thing is to get out there and start birding. Use your field guide to identify the birds you see, and don't be afraid to ask for help from more experienced birders. Over time, you'll start to recognize more and more species, and your skills will improve.

Happy birding!