Peterson Reference Guide To Birding By Impression: A Different Approach to Knowing and Identifying Birds

This is an excellent field guide, with a more 'rounded out' approach to birdwatching. The authors, Kevin Karlson (one of the nicest men I have met) and Dale Rosselet (whom I have not met) emphasize how to rnore carefully observe birds in the field, noting their shape and other physical characteristics before getting to plumage distinctions (which is how most birders identify what they are seeing). This is 'birding by impression', which is how we often recognize family and friends before they are close enough to clearly see - shape, structure, height, and gait (or with birds - flight pattern). I am trying to put this in practice in my field work now, and it is slowly beginning to help as I linger with my views longer whenever possible, and 'get to know them' better. Combined with typical field identification, I believe this will help expand my own skills. The writing is excellent and the quizzes throughout are helpful in applying techniques emphasized in the text. Strongly recommended for birders of any level.

I found some similar species incredibly difficult to separate in many books; but the Peterson book's comparison photos make it easier to break down the similarities with it's group and comparison photos. There is a lot of great informative text; but I would have liked a bit larger and clearer photos, so some of the species differences were more obvious.

I did my birding homework and decided that this was the new book to purchase for my SIL. As it turns out, she and her husband are scheduled to attend a lecture/seminar on this very topic by these very authors when they go on their next vacation. This book made a wonderful present although I can't tell you much about it because I never had a chance to pre-read it. I am giving serious consideration to buying another for another SIL (other side of the family) because just the samples I read and the reaction from the recipient have increased my positive impression.

It's a welcome addition to advanced birding. I do not believe any false claims about the content were made. It is not going to include every bird in North America. We have field guides for that. In the Peterson series, there is a recent book on plumage, feathers and molt. That one was quite difficult to study and memorize, going toward grad student ornithology. This one is fine for improving birding skills in the field. I tend to use more of the actual field marks, and they are in no way overlooked in this book focusing on "gist." Raptor specialists use the method in this book more than the generalist birder. Kenn Kaufman has two books on advanced birding. I carry the new one of them in my car birding bag. This one is a hard cover book I tend to leave at home and review a particular family of birds at a time. Kaufman Field Guide to Advanced Birding (Kaufman Field Guides) Also in 2017, a Princeton press book covers some of the same material. Better Birding: Tips, Tools, and Concepts for the Field The Peterson book is going to have more of the birds that the average birder is likely going to find, such as dowitchers and other shore birds covered here.

Excellent Bird Book for Birders. This really helps you see the characteristics of birds and how to tell them a part. I've been a birder for years. I just got back from a trip to the Outer Banks of NC. I photograph birds, view them and then identify them. Many times I need to look deep into their color, etc to distinguish which bird it is. This is the perfect book for me.

As an amateur birder, I enjoy using Peterson's technique to figure out what birds are frequenting my yard, and learning the distinguishing features makes the lessons stick.

Great concept for identifying birds. Since we can't always get close to birds or the lighting if poor, this is the next best thing for knowing what bird you're looking at.

Met Kevin Karlson before the book was published. Experienced first hand BIA methodology. Very helpful. Enjoying reading the book including the quizzes.

The best bit for me about the book is that it proves beyond doubt, on the cover no less, that all the so say Blue Phase Ross geese are 'man made' Lesser/Ross hybrids with heads like the bird depicted in the bottom right corner of the 2 attached photos. The true Ross goose is in the middle and completely different.

excellent

Perfect

A very good addition to my bird related library ...something for the advanced serious birder in there...as much as for the novices.

Nice book but not for identification in close up !