Complete Birder

By a conservative estimate, about seven million Americans are "fairly interested birders." This book is aimed at the 95 percent of them who want to become better birders. Lively, anecdotal, and authoritative, "The Complete Birder" takes you by the hand, leads you into the field, and shows you step-by-step what to do and what not to do - to improve your birding skills. It covers everything from choosing and using binoculars to birding by ear - recognizing birds by their songs and calls. It tells you how to master the most difficult and popular groups of birds by applying a knowledge of their habits, habitats, and key features to break them down into manageable subgroups. Although no birding book is truly complete, "The Complete Birder" is the next best thing to having an expert by your side whenever you go birding. It's the second book every birder needs, after a Peterson Field Guide.