From the Publisher: "Join the experts in this revolutionary approach to bird identification. Experienced birders use the most easily observed characteristics - size, structure, behavior, and general color patterns - to identify birds even before looking carefully at plumage details. Now birders at all levels can learn how to identify shorebirds quickly and simply. Quiz questions in the captions will engage and challenge all birders and help them benefit from this simplified, commonsense approach to identification."

The Shorebird Guide. Michael O'Brien, Richard Crossley, and Kevin Karlson. Houghton Mifflin, 2006. Over 870 color photographs, distribution maps. 477 pp. Flexi binding. Item#24-206. $24.95

Birding by impression: The new development in modern birdwatching is a holistic approach to identification. This is a method that starts with the basics: instead of jumping right to plumage details, a birder first uses relative size, structure, behavior, and voice to begin the identification process. This is considered a more reliable starting point, leading to faster and more accurate identifications. Shorebirds often present a problem to a large number of birders. Size similarity, the complex variety of plumages, and endless variations make identification difficult, as well as the distance at which an observer usually finds him or herself. All of these characteristics also make shorebirds the ideal group of birds on which to use a holistic approach.

All of the North American species of shorebirds are covered here in great detail, with several photos per species; including male, female, juvenile, post-juvenal molt, breeding, and non-breeding. They include an effective mix of standing and in-flight photos, with other behavioral postures. An added benefit is the fact that the authors include similar species in the photos, for easy comparison.

More than 870 stunning color photographs grace the first half of this book, starting with a general impression of the species and progressing to more detailed images of the bird throughout its life cycle. The identification section of the book includes color distribution maps, details on Size, Structure, Behavior, and Status; plus detailed photo captions. A flight photo is included for each species, as well as a description of common flight calls.

An amusing detail about this book is the quizzes the authors sprinkle throughout the photo captions. Readers are asked to identify age, sex, or other species. An appendix at the end of the book provides the answers, with tips for better identification.

The second half of the book is comprised of species accounts. Here you will find the detailed information about status, taxonomy, behavior, migration, molt, and vocalizations. A glossary, bibliography, and detailed index round out this excellent guide.

The high quality and sheer number of color photographs alone make this guide a must- have, and its straightforward format and wealth of information only add to its value. Buteo Books highly recommends The Shorebird Guide.

About the Authors

Michael O'Brien is a tour leader for Wings, as well as an accomplished bird artist. Considered by his peers to be one of the top experts on bird identification in North America, he conducts workshops on shorebird identification for Wings.

Richard Crossley has traveled all over the world studying shorebirds and has a wealth of knowledge on vagrant species. He is a master at identifying birds at a distance, based on their size and structure.

Kevin Karlson, a professional wildlife photographer and photojournalist, is the president of Jaeger Tours, a birding tour company. He worked as a wildlife biologist on the Alaskan Arctic from 1992 to 1995 and has extensive firsthand knowledge of Arctic nesting shorebirds. His photo collection from that area is among the best in the world.

Photographs by:
Richard Crossley
Kevin Karlson
Mike Danzenbaker
Arthur Morris
and other noted photographers