Books on Birds
We have written the reviews for each of the following books based on our experience using them in the field and as a reference.
If you want to purchase the book directly from our website please click on the book title to obtain ordering information.
Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania Authors: Dale Zimmerman, Donald Turner, and David Pearson.
This book is invaluable for the serious and beginning birder and anyone interested in the amazing diversity of birds in East Africa. This field guide includes 1,100 bird species that are all pictured in 124 excellent color plates. Also, there are 800 range maps. There is an abbreviated text section in the back of the book that includes information on bird size, breeding plumage, call, habitat, and distribution. Our review is on the paperback edition which is smaller and lighter in weight than the earlier hardback that weighs in at nearly 2 kilograms. We have taken both paper and hardback editions to Africa and the paperback is the way to go. With this book you may be the bird expert on your next safari because most of the safari guides are not well versed in the birds with one exception. East African Ornithological Safaris (EAOS) of Nairobi, Kenya was started by this book's coauthor, Donald Turner, whom we have had the great pleasure of meeting on three of our trips. The EAOS guides are personally trained by Donald Turner and these guides are great. On our first visit we saw over 360 species of birds!
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America
This is a revised edition (3rd) of the popular field guide to the birds of North America (including the continental United States, Canada, and northern border of Mexico). It covers more than 800 species of bird. There are 80 more species than the previous edition. The text and range maps have been revised. We like this particular field guide because the full-color illustrations are very good and the diagnostic characteristics that distinguish the birds are very clear.
Peterson's Field Guide: Mexican Birds Authors: Roger Tory Peterson and Edward L. Chalif
A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America
Authors: Steve N.G. Howell and Sophie Webb