Birds of Eastern North America, A Photographic Guide: a Review

Blue Grosbeak from Birds of Eastern North America, a Photographic Guide.

As an avid hobbyist birdwatcher, I admit freely that I cannot walk out into the countryside and identify by sight or sound every bird that I see, even in my own familiar territory. There are those who can, and I envy them greatly. When I go birdwatching, I take with me one or two field guides to help me put names to birds I see. I also keep birding books near the windows that face out into the yard and the birdfeeders there, so that I can quickly identify any new visitors. I was happy, therefore, to receive an advanced copy of Birds of Eastern North America, A Photographic Guide and its companion book, Birds of Western North America, A Photographic Guide by Paul Sterry and Brian E. Small from the Princeton University Press for review purposes.

Before we get into the details, let me note that, like most birding books, the visual presentation of the birds is one of the distinguishing feature of Birds of Eastern (and Western) North America, A Photographic Guide. Therefore I have included a slideshow which includes artwork from the books as well as some sample of complete page layouts. Each slide has text which outlines a particular point about the image. This section of the review can be accessed by this link to the slideshow.

The artwork on the covers of the two volumes is strikingly different than most of the birding books in my library and is indicative of the photographs on the interior. The photographs in Birds of Eastern North America, a Photographic Guide are typically taken with a relatively shallow depth of field such that the background behind the bird becomes in most cases a wash of color, and does not distract from the bird itself. This treatment helps show off the bird’s colors and physical traits against the colors in which it will be typically seen, but leaves the bird sharply outlined so that its shape does not get lost in background detail. I prefer this treatment to other books which simply present the bird against a solid white background.

In birding books and field guides there are two basic layouts. One style separates the descriptions of the birds from the photographs in separate sections of the book. In these types, in order to read behavior notes, check typical ranges, and read song notes for a given species, one must turn away from the photograph and find a complete separate page elsewhere in the book. The two new volumes by Sterry and Small are, I’m happy to say, not arranged this way. Each bird’s description is on a page facing the photograph so that as one is chasing a bird through the field or forest, one need only find a single page to avail oneself of all the information on the particular species in question.

Additionally, the descriptions of each species contain, in those cases where it is relevant, a listing of similar species that may be confused with the bird being described. In these cases, specific field marks and advice on distinguishing the two are provided. In some cases a separate photo of the similar species is embedded within the description for further clarification. This is a definite plus for both novice and experienced birders alike and is particularly helpful when trying to pick out an odd specimen within a larger flock of a different, but similar species.

Another uncommon, but quite helpful feature of Birds of Eastern (and Western) North America, a Photographic Guide is the section in each bird’s description called Observation Tips. This consists of a sentence or two offering advice on finding a specimen of the described species. For example, under the entry for the Red-Necked Phalarope, the Observation Tips read as follows: “Easy to see mid-May-Jul, in Arctic; otherwise seen on pelagic boat trips during migration or from coasts during on-shore gales in fall.”

As is expected each entry contains a color coded range map and description of each species’ current status and habitat preferences. In addition to a general description of each bird, separate treatment is given to each sex, juveniles, and seasonal plumage where the appearance of each is different or subject to change throughout the year. Often separate photographs of each variation are provided. This is an indispensible feature for a top quality birding field guide.

Another feature of Sterry and Small’s latest offerings, is the section entitled Habitats for Birds at the beginning of the book detailing various types of bird habitat and distinguishing characteristics of each. A representative photograph of each type of habitat is also provided for reference.

In terms of field guides, the books are larger physically than most. They measure approximately 5.25” by 8.25” compared to the 4” x 7.75” of the National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds, Eastern Region. This larger size makes Birds of Eastern North America, A Photographic Guide and its companion a bit more cumbersome for birding expeditions. Conversely, though it provides more internal real estate for larger photographs, so the trade-off will likely be a matter of personal preference for each birder.

Overall, Birds of Eastern North America, a Photographic Guide and Birds of Western North America, A Photographic Guide by Paul Sterry and Brian E. Small should be a welcome addition to the libraries of serious birders as well as those who enjoy birdwatching only from their own backyard feeders. Each book is priced at $18.95 by the publisher, and should be found at your favorite book store or at Amazon.com and other online book retailers. I recommend both books, for those in the appropriate regions.
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In the interest of full disclosure, please note that both of these books were provided to me for review purposes by the courtesy of the books’ publisher, Princeton University Press. Princeton University Press was also helpful in providing original artwork files for use with their kind permission in this review. However, it should be noted that no preconditions were placed on the review, neither the publisher nor the authors had a chance to preview my opinions on the books prior to publication of this review.

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