(Part 2) Top products from r/Ornithology

I just realized no one has asked you where you live! All these answers are pretty much North America centric as I am assuming that is where you live.

Everyone has mentioned Sibley (who is pretty much my idol) but there a couple other books that might be interesting to you as well. I would definitely recommend his field guide over his full guide for you.

• The Birder's Handbook is an interesting browse-y sort of read; it has both essays and species info in it. There are so many interesting tidbits to pick up in there.
  
  
• Hope is the Thing with Feathers by Christopher Cokonis is a very interesting and sad read about recently extinct bird species of North America. It is somewhat painful to read--as a birder--because you will never be able to see any of those species in the field but it is a wonderful look at how we both see and have seen birds.
  
  
• Nat Geo's Birding Essentials is a good place to sort of "learn the language" of birding. I don't like their field guides as much as I like Sibley's but this book is quite good at covering a range of birding subjects for the beginner.
  
  Another good idea would be getting a hold of regional field guide or an American Bird Association (ABA) list for your area. It would help you to narrow down the species you are likely to be looking at. Using a field guide full of incidentals/rare/crosses/sub-species can be confusing for a new birder so a smaller list can help you pinpoint which species you should be flipping through your book to look at. You can often find these lists at state and county parks. Your state/local DNR site is a great place to find birding resources in your area!
  
  My favorite bird is the Ovenbird! They are fat and stripey and seriously loud for being sort of cagey undergrowth dwellers. I often log them on my bird lists without ever seeing one because their loud calls are unmistakable (and often unending). They aren't impressive or majestic but they are pretty cute with their stripey orange mohawks.
  

I think the best way to learn about birds is to actually watch them, so I'd recommend finding your nearest nature sanctuary to see if they have birdwatching walks/classes. If you're in North America, the Audubon Society is a great organization that runs bird sanctuaries and teaches people about birds. There are similar organizations in other regions - you'll just need to do a little online searching. There are also loads of books to help you get started, like this one.

You can also learn a lot about birds online. Cornell University provides online ornithology courses, but they also provide tons of free info about North American birds and their nests, global bird sightings, and more.

I started learning about birds by reading books, and there are plenty of great options. Visit your local library to see what they have. Books cover everything from identification to intelligence to falconry.

What kinds of birds are you particularly interested in? Is there any aspect of birds that you find most fascinating, like anatomy, flight, song, color...?

Hey, just wanna update if you are interested, if not just ignore this :P.

Anyways i got my monoscope(i think thats what its called for what i got) yesterday.

It's pretty small. I tested it by looking at cars and people downstairs on my flat. I'm at 8th floor and the horizontal distance would probably be 150m~. I can see the cars quite sharply but can't see number plates.

However, when i look at people, it's just a blur, can't even see their faces. Don't see how it would help me view animals or other animate objects.

And the monoscope i got, i moved its object lens barrel and somehow it got stuck, and i took 30minutes to finally get it moving again, by removing the barrel and putting it back.

When i removed the barrel, i accidentally cleaned some grease and when i placed it back, it was not able to move smoothly, which meant that when i'm trying to adjust the object barrel lens when viewing, it's impossible. It moves roughly, doesn't slide anymore.

The focus lens was super super easy to adjust, so when i'm trying to adjust something else such as barrel lens or zoom i would accidentally touch it, and things go differently, need to readjust all.

It basically just magnifies images that i could already see with my spectacles.

Looking at it through one eye is super straining and gives me dizzyness after extensive use.


I'm thinking of returning it and upgrading to buying a more binoculars instead. Thinking binoculars would be more comfortable for my eyes.

Might purchase this , still looking at more options, maybe even going for an even pricier one. I quite enjoyed the feeling of seeing far objects.

If you can swing just a little more than $200, the Vortex Diamondback 10x42 are a solid choice.

I just picked up a pair of Zeiss Terra ED 10x42 for $399 (no tax and free shipping) through Amazon. Previously, I had the Nikon Prostaff 7 10x42 that I had picked up at REI for $180 in June of 2013.

The Nikon's had been great for the year they lasted. Keep in mind I bird most every day. The Binoculars had a lot of use and abuse. The focus nob came un-glued from the focus wheel. The right eye cup came un-glued as well, but would still stay on. I sent them to Nikon and they're being replaced under warranty.

I've had my Zeiss for about 2 weeks now and I'm really enjoying their entry level binos. They're just a bit lighter than my Nikon's were. They focus very quickly and are very comfortable to hold and look through.

Hope that helps, and good luck deciding on a pair. So much to choose from out there.

Bildstein has a decent book that can be dry at times, but packed with good information.

Another decent one is by Scott Weidensaul here that rumor has it may be updated soon.

Eagle watchers is a good one that is a little more focused towards the people investigating the raptors, but still lots of good info.

Buteo books has a ton of species-specific books that talk about species like Golden Eagles, Merlins, etc.

If you are looking for amusing/entertaining birding books, I would recommend Why Don't Woodpeckers Get Headaches? and Good Birders Don't Wear White: 50 Tips from America's Top Birders.

This isn't quite what you're looking for, but Bird Tales from Around the World is nice if you have kids (or just love bird folktales).

I agree with everyone else, Sibley is one of the best out there today.

If your in Scotland then the Collin's bird guide is your best bet in terms of an ID tool. The Sibley's one mentioned is more for north America, Whereas the Collin's guide covers Europe and Britain, as well as some of the vagrants that show up from time to time.

I think that this workbook is very good: Finding Your Wings. It helps beginning birders recognize bird taxonomy as the basis of more specific bird identification.

I like the Princeton Guide (L. Svensson + others). I'll admit, it's the only guide I've used in Europe, but it's worked well for me.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0691143927/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_aYe7AbW5XFWCK

I don't know about the monarchs, but someone here will be able to clue you in.

Looking further, I find that the Vortex Diamondbacks are really highly regarded. They are on Amazon right now for $166

http://www.birdwatching.com/optics/2016_affordable_8x42/review.html

Vortex Optics New 2016 Diamondback 10x42 Roof Prism Binoculars https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0192GJLMU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_YqvCybKA6BN1H

https://www.amazon.com/Nests-Nestlings-North-American-Birds/dp/0691122954/ref=pd_sim_14_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0691122954&pd_rd_r=1BRNVTKG3GQWQ8VPNSXS&pd_rd_w=Ep8GE&pd_rd_wg=EH2sp&psc=1&refRID=1BRNVTKG3GQWQ8VPNSXS

Peterson's Guide is a book; probably in local libraries and still in print. https://www.amazon.com/Peterson-Field-America-Guides-Hardcover/dp/0618966145

Still available, on CD: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0618225943

And the other side of North America: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0395975190

iOS app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/peterson-backyard-birds-field/id431948401?mt=8

https://www.amazon.com/Who-Would-Win-Tyrannosaurus-Velociraptor/dp/0545175739