Getting started -- Finding birds -- The challenges of bird identification -- Misidentification -- Identifying rare birds -- Taxonomy -- Using behavioral clues -- Voice -- Understanding feathers -- Feather arrangement and color patterns -- Structure of tail and wings -- Bare parts -- Molt -- Feather wear -- Age variation -- Ethics and conservation.
Summary:
Using many illustrations, David Sibley reviews all the basic concepts of bird identification and then describes the variations that can change the appearance of a bird overnight.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.