Shorebirds are challenging and an enigma especially in non-breeding or transitioning into breeding plumage. This book, is by far, one of the best books for shorebird identification. The pictures are excellent and show birds as you find them on the mudflats - with their heads hidden or partially visible. The pictures of the dowitchers and the eastern and western races are particularly interesting. If a person is not into birds but likes photography, I would highly recommend it for them also.

This is the ULTIMATE shorebird guide and the "best by the best". This book teaches instead of informs. For each bird there are series of photographs of not only different plumages, but diagnostic comparisions with other species as well as birds in "real life" lighting and viewing positions. The book also teaches many easy tips for identifying those confusable shorebirds based on differences in shape, behavior, and sometimes one or two diffences in plumage. After reading many shorebird guides, watching videos, and listening to experts, I finally was able to immediately identify Lesser vs Greater Yellowlegs by using the simple key points in this guide. In addition to teaching identification, the guide provides extensive and exhaustive additional (and well written) information including migration, behavior, distribution, breeding etc. An essential book for any birder or naturalist.

I just received my copy and it is fantastic. I had the honor of participating on a WINGS tour in Texas, guided by Michael O'Brien in early April. Not only is he a phenomenal birder, but he is also a gifted and talented guide and teacher. This comes through in this book. Each species has many beautiful photos showing most (if not all) plumages and ages, birds in their natural habitat and typical poses, and similar species in the same photos for comparisons. Informative (and fun) text accompanies the photos and follows in a separate section.Through the photos, we learn the aspects of each species (relative size, structure and behavior) that don't vary nearly as much as the plumages. If any book can teach "gizz", this one will and should be in every Birder's backpack!

All serious birders will want a copy of this new book on Shorebirds. There are several of others around but this book takes a whole new approach to identifying these birds.It covers all the Domestic (51) as well as all the Rarities and Regional Specialities (44) that have ever been found in North America;and yes that includes Alaska.The book includes 870 of the most beautiful,descriptive and informative photographs that I have ever seen assembled in one book.Along with the photographs, we have excellent range maps for all the Domestic Species and information on all the rarities. There is a full Species account given for each species and they are loaded with information to assist in identification of these birds in their various plumages.With the rarities we get photographs of the birds taken in countries around the world while they are in their various plumages. Many photos show mixed groups as an aid ifor comparisons. Then scattered through the book are questions to help you test your skills.The book has 477 pages,excellent paper,a soft ,sturdy cover,top of the line printing and color rendition,and binding that will ensure its ability to withstand all the rigors birders subject their guides to. Physically it just couldn't be a better product.I must admit that I am not familiar with the authors ;but when you see the high praise given to this book by Kenn Kaufman,Pete Dunne and David Sibley;3 of the best,who have their own excellent and popular Bird Guides;'you can take it to the bank',that this is an excellent book and will be on every Birder's want list.The photographs alone are easily worth the price of this book.But don't be fooled, this book is packed with information that will go a long way in helping you improve your ID skills with these birds which can be very difficult with their various plumages.One last thing.We are also given a section on Hybrids and Aberrants.What a thrill it would be to come across any of them.

The Shorebird Guide is a different kind of bird guide. It tackles a traditionally difficult subject in a unique way that makes identifying Shorebirds seem (almost) easy. The book is split into two sections: the first is a color photographic guide to each species; the second is a text write-up of standard field-guide information as well as behavioral details and such for each species.Each species gets several pages of beautiful color photographs. Each photograph shows the species under discussion in a real world setting and has a short but info packed caption. The photographs progress from juvenile birds through adults (breeding and non-breeding). Many of the photographs contain more than one bird and more than one species. Some of the captions pose questions to the reader (answers in the back). Working out the answers to these questions is a good test of your skills.The philosophy behind this book is that of GISS (general impression of size and shape) or gestalt. This means that the identification of a bird is worked out, not by plumage details or colorations as with a typical field guide, but instead by the overall impression of the bird. This is an especially useful tool with Shorebirds.In conclusion, this is an amazing bird book and one that every birder needs to have in their library. It will definitely make you a better birder.