I am fond of birding how-to books. David Sibley’s Birding Basics is a wonderful collection of tips and exercises designed to help the reader become a better observer of birds, the skill that most people would say defines a “better birder.” Sibley’s book is designed for those who are already birding. Pete Dunne on Bird Watching is Pete’s book for absolute beginners, with lots of information for those just getting started. I wondered which niche this new little book from National Geographic would fill. Written by two highly respected members of the birding community, Jonathan Alderfer and Jon Dunn, the National Geographic Birding Essentials seemed likely to be a worthy addition to the “how-to” genre.
It doesn’t take long to realize that Birding Essentials is not a book for beginners, except perhaps the rare beginner who wants to quickly become an expert. No, Birding Essentials is really an instruction manual on how to become a top-notch (and respected) birder. There are nods to the absolute beginner, but these quickly vanish into the background as the authors deluge readers with countless facts and details. In the first paragraph of chapter 4, “Birds of a Bird,” the authors sympathetically point out that, “All the names and details may seem overwhelming when you’re first starting out.” Next come 42 pages of detailed description of every external characteristic that a bird could possibly have, including the important differences between the relative size and shape of certain feathers in different families of birds. Most true beginners will be much happier with Kenn Kaufman’s field guide, which pares down the detail and carefully avoids technical jargon.
Does this mean I dislike the book? Not at all! Birding Essentials packs an amazing amount of really useful information into a fairly small and very attractive book. It’s really a textbook on birding, defining terms, describing field methods, and offering countless tips to help readers become better birders. It’s a how-to book like Sibley’s designed for birders who are already hooked on the hobby and who are willing to work to become better observers. Birding Essentials accomplishes this goal quite well – though the book’s true audience will want to skip over the few short passages directed to the absolute beginner.
In chapter 5, “How to Identify Birds,” the authors weigh in on a growing debate among birders about the relative importance of field marks versus “GISS,” general impression, size, and shape. They sensibly state, “We think that using aspects of both approaches is the best course.” There is an awful lot of information about field marks, however in the 84 pages of chapters 5, 6 (“Variation in Birds), and 7 (“Identification Challenges”), and several illustrations of circumstances where a bird’s posture can mislead an observer relying solely on GISS. Two photos of Semipalmated Sandpiper on page 93 are particularly instructive; in one shot the bird is fluffed up and relaxed, while in the other it’s alert, standing tall, and looking extremely thin. They sure look like different species at first glance. Chapter 7 is reminiscent of Kaufman’s old “Advanced Birding” volume in the Peterson series, with very detailed looks at some of North America’s toughest birding challenges.
My verdict? I think almost every birder can pick up valuable tips from this meaty book. The enthusiastic intermediate birder can probably benefit the most from Birding Essentials. If you learn everything that this book and Sibley’s Birding Basics offer, you’ll be a top-notch birder for sure. Looking for a book to get someone enthused about birding? Look elsewhere, perhaps to Pete Dunne on Bird Watching and the Kaufman field guide.
Alderfer, Jonathan and Jon L. Dunn. National Geographic Birding Essentials: All the Tools, Techniques, and Tips You Need to Begin and Become a Better Birder. Washington, National Geographic, 2007. 224 pages, $15.95 paper. ISBN-13: 978-1-4262-0135-6.
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