Identifying birds is a pastime that many people enjoy.
Sibley bird identification is named after David Allen Sibley, who worked for over 12 years to create a guide for identifying birds. Sibley wanted his guide to have illustrations of all the bird species as well as any variations in the plumage. He wanted the drawings to show the bottom view of each bird as well as the view from the top. His unique guide allows bird watchers to easily identify and compare different species.
Layout of Sibley's Guides
A key characteristic of Sibley's bird guides is the layout. Species are presented in a vertical column on each page. At the very top is a picture of the bird in flight. Beneath it are pictures of different angles of the bird, followed by the description of the bird's call---the noise that the bird makes---and a map of the regions the bird inhabits. Readers may scan across the top of each page to match images and down the column for additional information. The Sibley bird identification method also allows comparisons of birds.
The First Sibley Guide
Sibley first published the guide in 2000 and it has since become a must-have for bird watchers. The guides contain more than identification. Sibley covers such key topics as getting started as a birder, looking for habitat clues and how a bird's feathers may vary according to age or season. The guide helps the reader discover the range of clues that will lead to a positive identification of a bird.
Range of Contents
"The Sibley Guide to Birds" covers 1,200 species of birds: 550 eastern species and 650 western species. There are detailed drawings of every bird---at least six illustrations per bird. Bird descriptions are clear, detailed and---unlike some other bird identification resources---include information on the birds' habitat and behavior. Maps that are included are the most current and accurate available.
Comparison with Other Guides
There are many differences between Sibley's bird identifications and those of other bird guides. Some of Sibley's books are available as small, spiral-bound notebooks that may be carried easily into the field. The illustrations by Sibley are more comprehensive than those of other guides, showing each bird in stages of flight and describing differences in the plumage at different times of the year and in different types of weather. It contains color-coded maps so that you may narrow your choices by region.
Different Sibley Guides Available
Sibley's books include "Guide to Bird Life and Behavior," "Birding Basics," "The North American Bird Guide" and "Birds of Eastern North America."
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