The Warbler Guide

Good points:This book covers all the new world warblers found in the US.The Topographical description on pages 12-15 is excellent. The specie and photo chosen perfectly illustrate all the various features of the bird. The pointers all accurately terminate exactly on the feature being labeled. And, the way the wing feathers have been outlined with colored lines gives unmistaken clarity to the 3 zones of the wing.Pages 15 through 55 list the important characteristics to which a birder should pay attention. Though most of these are probably well known to advanced birders with experience, this book brings them front-and-center with good descriptions and usually great photo examples.There is a section that does a great job of de-mystifying sonograms. It is a great segway into the section on vocalizations which is quite thorough. Most vocalizations are supplemented with sonograms.The Quick Finder concept is done quite well. For easy comparison (and usually on just 1 or 2 pages) a specific characteristic is portrayed (i.e. face patterns, undertail views, etc.) The photos in these quick guides are grouped together in an intelligently ordered array with similar looking birds being adjacent to each other.Though I'm puzzled as to why these quick photo guides were placed in between the sections on flight calls and song finder charts. I think they would be better situated (and more easily found) as a stand-alone section either at the beginning or the end of the book.The species accounts are very thorough and are similarly structured for consistency for each specie. They are arranged in alphabetical order, not taxonomic. Though a scientist might find this disturbing, it is quite logical for a guide book of this nature. Each specie account includes basic descriptions in all plumages, comparisons to similar species, aging/sexing tips and vocalizations (with sonograms). Pertinent points are generally made quite well and are amply supported with good photos. Superfluous info is absent.There are other miscellaneous sections near the end of the book that could prove useful to some including accounts of a few similar (but non-warbler birds), summary lists on measurements, habitat, behavior, perching profiles and a review/quiz.Room for improvement:I was sensitive to the choice of some of the photos that were used to illustrate specific characteristics. In a few cases, the photos chosen did not overtly depict the characteristic being described.Examples:p. 34 N. Waterthrush and Swainson's photos are confusing with regard to bill shape. In the photo, the Waterthrush bill actually appears pointier than the Swainson's - which is contrary to their captions.p. 41 Tennessee and Orange-crowned photos do not portray the captions as well as they could. Author could've used other photos (available elsewhere in the book) to better illustrate his point about head/back contrast.P. 46 Author's point about primary wing projection is not obvious from the Pine/Blackpoll photos that were used.A few items may just be simple publication or printing challenges.For example, the 2 colors chosen for the Quick range icon and the Preferred Habitat icon are black upon dark green. These 2 colors do not have enough contrast. I believe many readers would have difficulty discerning the two.p. 50 The red marker used to bracket the tail extension of the Blackpoll is not positioned correctly for the point the author is trying to make.Personal preferences:The instructional section on sonograms is probably quite accurate and it is certainly interesting to a nerdy engineer like myself. However, I personally will never use the sonograms to ID a warbler. It is so much easier to use any the several widely available recordings. My ears can hear a recording much easier than my eyes can discern a sonogram.The quick guide photo array on Warblers in Fight will be of limited use to me. Warblers are seldom, if ever, viewed in flight long enough or in ways that would allow this chart to be useful.Recommendation:Congratulations to the authors. Well done! A great addition to any birder's library and a "must-have" for warbler aficionados. It's large size makes it "iffy" for carrying in the field but, it would be OK in a backpack and ideal in the car. A great value for the price.Len Kopka

If there is anything you want to know, about any warbler that migrates through North America. This is the book. It is the definitive resource if you are attempting warbler identification. Easy to use and understand. Well worth the price.

This year has been the most epic year in birds in my yard. I love birds, I search and identify, but..... I have a serious illness and immune problems so I rarely leave my property - before coved I limited where I went and how often bc I suffer greatly after public outings but since covid it is the health concerns. That leaves me with my local bird population. I maybe got 1 or 2 new sightings a year and was happy with it. This year is insane. Since October I have had so many migrating birds that I have 21 new sightings since October and 11 have been the last 11 days. My general bird Id books and websites are not enough . Sooooo many song birds and warblers and finches I can’t Id from one or two photos. This book SHOWS male and female, juvenile and grownup, breeding and non breeding, both sides and from underneath. I just wish there was a book this detailed to Id every group of birds, warblers is not enough. I am so very thankful for this book, the “similar birds” to each bird is even better bc occasionally it redirects you to the correct bird when you thought you found it already. Everything I could ever need to Id a tiny warbler is in this book. It is the absolute best. BEST.

Very effective guide to identifying warblers. They have clever tools for identifying birds that I wish I could find in other bird books. I found their visual finder guides (images comparing all of the warblers from specific angles, but many specific angles, not just perched and in flight), and the shape and color icons used for each bird are incredibly helpful. I have bought other books on identifying specific types of birds, specifically sparrows and gulls, and none were as clear or helpful.I volunteer with a group that helps rescue birds injured after hitting windows, and brings the birds that do not survive to a natural history museum. I've tried to use my volunteering to improve my bird identification skills, but the circumstances mean that some of the typical clues like behavior, song and habitat are not helpful. This book has details on those aspects as well, but the emphasis on visual identification is really useful for me. Sadly, we see a lot of warblers, and now I can figure out what I'm seeing instead of "another little yellow bird."Thanks for the great book. If you could do another on little brown birds, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

I bought kindle for travel. The book is huge!

Collectors of ornithological books can not miss this one. It is a new approach to bird ID, incorporating the great capabilities of digital photography.. Even if, like me, you will never set foot in North America, the brilliant display of the plumages of all species in the various versions - male, female and spring and autumn - is a first. There are incredible numbers of photos, admittedly some a bit small, showing the birds at all angles and with relevant closeups of focal ID features. The introductory section before the species accounts gives a very clear account of how moult occurs and affects the plumage appearance. There is also an excellent explanation of sonograms. Students of evolution will be stunned by the comparative display of all the North American Warblers. Creationists won't like this book. If these species were created rather than evolved, there was a lot of doodling involved!

This is a highly-specialised book for those interested in North American wood warblers. Anyone can identify adult males of course but the main purpose of this book is to help with identifying females, immatures and hybrids. It must be stressed that this is an in-depth guide including many photographs, much text and even sonograms. It can therefore only be considered suitable for use at home, in the car or back in the motel as it is quite large and heavy so cannot be describes as a field guide.

Superb bird book with simply stunning photographs and write ups on these amazing warblers. If you are planning a trip to the states or even for your reference shelf at home, this is a must have book for the ornithological connoisseur.

Excellent and comprehensive guide. Though it does not cover every warbler, it covers 56 in full depth. The photographs are excellent. For each warbler, numerous photos are provided.

Extremely comprehensive treatment of the species group - great selection of photos and very good text. Excellent