Anatomy of a Field Guide: The What and How

Welcome to Episode 3 of the Birding Tools Podcast.

If you’re just starting to look for your first bird field guide, or if you want to better understand how your guide is organized, this episode is for you!

In this episode, I’ll be getting into the anatomy of your bird field guide, including what makes a great field guide and how it’s organized.

Getting comfortable with the layout and contents of your field guide will reduce the overwhelm you might feel every time you pick up that book.

And guess what? Birding isn’t meant to feel overwhelming! Let’s dive in together.

Don’t forget to head over to our Guide Map page to see the guides I recommend for different countries and regions.

Here’s how the episode goes

[0:53] I’ve created a Field Guide Map that shows my recommendations for field guides for various countries or regions around the world. Take note that I’ll be continuously adding to this over the next few weeks! Have a suggestion? Write to me to let me know!

[1:30] First, what’s a field guide? These small but incredibly useful books are jam-packed with information about all the birds you’re likely to see in the region for which it’s written. Importantly, your field guide is the number one thing you should bring with you when you go out birding!

[2:50] There are two things to keep in mind about the field guide you select for yourself as a first-time birder. First, choose a guide for the region you’re birdwatching in so it covers the locations where you’ll jet off to see birds. Next, consider buying a guide that has drawings instead of photographs as your first guide.

[4:30] Before you head outside with your newly acquired field guide, remember to sit and study it for a bit. Get comfortable somewhere with your favorite beverage and get acquainted with your guide.

[5:30] Start by reading the introduction to your field guide, with a special focus on the anatomy of birds.

[7:57] Field guides are ordered taxonomically, or by their evolutionary order. Better understanding these bird groups, or families, will help make you a better birder and aid in your bird ID skills!

[9:30] Given your field guide is ordered taxonomically, similar species are grouped together near each other. The first half of your guide has non-passerines, or non-perching birds such as water birds and larger land birds. Contrastly, the second half of your guide has passerine birds, or perching birds, including thrushes, finches, sparrows, and warblers.

[10:55] Each species found in the designated region will have a short paragraph listing out its five key identification characteristics. In addition, guides show an image of the bird in different plumages and the overall range map where the bird is found.

[12:33] Having both a phone app and a physical book is a great way to keep you covered no matter where you are. No matter, I don’t recommend replacing a phone app with your field guide book!

Click here to listen!

You can also read more about this item and others to start birding on our Get Started page!

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Links Mentioned in this Podcast

Lots of great beginner’s tools and resources are mentioned in this episode. Since we are based in North America, our focus tends to be on North American birds and resources.

However, if you need a hand finding the best resources for your country or region, please reach out so we can help you start birding on the right foot.