Kaufman Field Guide To Advanced Birding (Kaufman Field Guides)

BASICS: softcover, 2011, 448pp; 550+ medium-sized color photos show identification points noted in the text; 10 pairings of similar species cover 46 species; additional species addressed more broadly in the various chapters; majority of the material focuses on how a birder examines certain groups of birds to become more advanced in his observation skills.This new book is an extension and not a replacement of the author's earlier book "Advanced Birding" from 1990. The subtitle of this new book (Understanding What You See and Hear) is a clue to the different angle taken with this book. Although it offers some focused identification material on similar species, the amount is significantly less than the previous book. Instead, the majority of this book gives us a broader view of the birds. It also points out difficult-to-identify groups of birds that challenge us to develop a more advanced focus of birding.This book provides detailed identification notes on 10 distinct pairings of similar birds, comprised of 46 species (e.g., scaup, loons, Accipiters, Empidonax). In contrast, the prior book has 29 distinct pairings covering 88 species. All the birds mentioned in this newer book are also found in the original book.Within this book are over 550 small to medium-sized color photographs that show key points mentioned in the text. These photos may show the entire bird or, sometimes just the head, wing, or bill to help emphasize identification details. Another 30 black-and-white illustrations show additional ID points.It seems the mission of this book is to serve as a primer to learn what is necessary to become an advanced birder. It discusses the "theory and practice" so the birder has the tools to independently discover the finer identification points rather than to simply disclose to the reader what those ID points may be. Basically, you're being given the "theory" to each grouping of birds so you can apply it to your own birding experiences in the field.Regarding the various grouping of birds, nine of them address identification at a broader level without specifically comparing similar species. This material gives the reader advice on what should be examined to aid with identification. Sometimes, nuggets of ID pointers are given for a particular species; however, these are interspersed throughout the pages and may not stand out unless you thoroughly read the chapter. Fortunately, many of these nuggets are used as a legend underneath a photograph to demonstrate what the author is discussing. So, what else will you find in this broader, more generalized (but still useful) material? I'll use the 30-page section on the gulls as an example.Instead of pairing similar species next to each other, this chapter discusses the many variables and complexities the birder will encounter when tackling the identification of gull plumages. The author advises the birder to first practice on and to become familiar with the more common species at hand. This does not mean to simply learn what to call a bird but, to become more intensive in studying the many facets of a bird's feathers, wing shape, head, etc. To develop a more advanced skill with identifying gulls, the author recommends paying particular attention to key physical aspects of a gull, regardless of species. These include body structure, facial expression, bill shape/color, head shape, wing shape and pattern, color of the eye, eye ring, and legs, etc.To demonstrate the complexity of gull plumages, a very nice series of 19 photographs shows the age progression of a Ring-billed Gull from juvenile to full adult. Additional material discusses the complex plumage sequence of the gull family in general, often giving brief examples of a particular species. A warning is also given about new knowledge that sheds light on the molting complexity. Familiar terms used today to describe gulls (e.g., 2nd year) may not actually reflect the bird's true age.Lastly, the section on gulls provides a nice overview and several examples of the truly frustrating event of hybrid gulls plus giving a good overview of the Herring Gull complex.My favorite section of the book is the 41 pages and 63 photographs dedicated to 12 species of Empidonax flycatchers. This chapter delves into great detail, supported by multiple photos of each bird. Another 29 photos zoom in on just the underside of the beak to show the critical pattern plus known variations of the bill's coloration.A few other highlights of this book should be pointed out such as the 22 pages that review the warblers, which is done in a manner similar to the section on gulls; another 7 pages dedicated to the fall Blackpoll, Bay-breasted, and Pine Warblers; 14 sonograms to help aid the description of warbler songs; and, a full page on the enigmatic Timberline Sparrow, currently treated as a subspecies of the Brewer's.Emphasizing the book's focus to help develop a birder into an advanced birder, the first 135 pages provide extended material on anatomical terminology, molt, behavior, voice, and principles of identification. All of this information is necessary to help the birder become both a more keen and an aware observer. Anyone who's wanted to know how to take that next step to becoming more knowledgeable about a particularly frustrating group of birds will certainly want to have this book at home. It is not really a field guide to be toted in one's back pocket, but it is a great resource to examine before and after those birding forays. - (written by Jack at Avian Review with sample pages, April 2011)I've listed several related books below...1)  Advanced Birding  by Kaufman2) Ageing North American Landbirds by Molt Limits and Plumage Criteria by Froehlich3)  Birding in the American West: A Handbook  by Zimmer4) Dichotomous Key to the Shorebirds of North America by Mellon5)  Identify Yourself  by Thompson6)  Identification Guide to North American Birds, Part I  by Pyle7)  Identification Guide to North American Birds. Part II  by Pyle

I am a beginner birder with over 100 species identified in the past year or so. With my love for birds and birding increasing, I crave for more knowledge, and I am very grateful to have found this book, and grateful to Kaufman for putting such complex knowledge in such an accessible way.This book goes beyond the identification by picture approach that a field guide typically offers. It provides a great tool kit for bird identification, such as shape, behavior, seasonality, etc.In a typical field guide, the general info section such as bird anatomy, plumage, molt is often very dry and difficult to understand. I have never managed to finish reading a single page on such topics. But this book is so well written and enjoyable to read. It uses pictures and diagrams very effectively. For example, a picture and a diagram of a bird's wing are put side by side so that the reader can see which name applies to which feathers on a real wing. At the end of the chapter, I could name the feathers correctly 80% of time.The chapters on how to identify specific species are really helpful. For example, Kaufman divides the warblers into different groups by their look, and provides info on what to look for in a warbler. The knowledge I gained from the book has immediately helped me to narrow down the possibilities. Warblers no longer look all the same to me anymore. I can identify them in a more systematic way.In short, if you want to sharpen your birding skills, this book will not disappoint!Other birding books I like in my collection- Sibley's field guide: superb illustration for identification purpose- National Geo's field guide: great for referencing because of its nice index page- Firefly Encyclopedia of birds: huge book with great info and essays, extremely fun to readMy tools to aid my birding fun- swaro 8x32- Canon SX50: compact, light, powerful telezoom and sharp focus that takes amazing bird pictures from distance

As described.

"Field Guide to Advanced Birding" by Kenn Kaufman This is an incredible book! Kenn Kaufman is recognized world-wide as a leading authority - maybe THE leading authority - on wild bird identification. You will read only a short distance into this book before you realize he is also an incredibly gifted instructor. You will also quickly find that in his book he has somehow combined a huge wealth of professional knowledge and skill with a tremendous amount of common sense and excellent observation to produce a highly readable, highly understandable, highly instructive goldmine of education for anyone who really wants to learn about the birds we share this continent with. And one of the best things he does is point out (quite correctly) that birders come in all degrees of interest and skill and means, and they all ALL important because it is the backyard feeder-watchers who contribute the most new raw data to the field of Ornithology every year. Their information is the bedrock upon which enjoyment and protection of birds is based everywhere for everyone. "Field Guide to Advanced Birding" is indeed "advanced" but Kaufman's skill as a teacher makes that advancement easy and available enough for even the most causal birder to master. Yet even long time "experienced" birders are going to have their eyes opened by Chapter 2, guaranteed!Kenn Kaufman's "Field Guide to Advanced Birding" is unquestionably a classic of Birding literature and it's had to imagine any serious birder who wouldn't gain a world of good knowledge from it. This will be one of the books in your Birding library that you won't loan to ANYBODY.

Questo libro non è una guida analitica all'identificazione di molte specie ma insegna a guardare i particolari per riconoscere le differenze tra specie simili della stessa famiglia. Lo trovo un approccio molto utile per un naturalista che non è alla ricerca di una semplice guida da campo ma voglia imparare ad osservare. Naturalmente bisogna conoscere bene i termini ornitologici internazionali anche se la lettura è molto scorrevole. È un vero peccato che tratti principalmente specie americane.

This is a well written and well researched overview of the subject. It is not intended for the beginner but would be more appreciated by an intermediate level birder. It is worth the read for sure, but those just getting into bird watching (or birding as the elite prefer) may get slowed down in their search for enlightenment by a level of detail that will elude them until they gain more knowledge and experience. That being said, it is a fine reference full of keen insight and helpful advice.

An excellent book from the expert author. Though I live in India, but the information about birding seems applicable here as well. Will surely recommend.

Excelente libro.

Perfect