Birding in the American West: A Handbook

by Kevin J. Zimmer

From the Great Plains to the Arctic tundra, the American West, including Alaska, is home to a stunning variety of birds. This indispensable volume, both a field guide and a site-finding guide, provides an ideal introduction to the pleasures of birding west of the Mississippi. Featuring practical but little-known tips for identifying birds, it will be welcomed by beginning as well as seasoned birders. Birding in the American West: A Handbook
*tells where to go, what birds to look for, and how to identify them. *describes the exciting and varied bird habitats found in the West. *is heavily illustrated with drawings and photographs to help birders in
the field. *spells out useful techniques for distinguishing among similar-looking
species and addresses difficult cases in far greater detail than do
standard field guides. *features species accounts with valuable information on bird location,
behavior, and field marks. *presents detailed listings by state on where to find birds, with an
emphasis on the microhabitats of especially sought-after birds. *teaches bird-finding and bird-identifying skills applicable anywhere.

416 pages, Paperback

First published March 24, 2000

Reviews

[Scott Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I own the 1991 edition of this guide and have appreciated Zimmer's comparative identification analysis for some of the more difficult species (empidonax flycatchers, catharus thrushes, and some of the drab western vireos) found in the 2nd half of this book.

[Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Formerly "The Western Bird Watcher", great supplement for the birder in the western US. Hard to identify western species very helpful.