My latest gear

[Jun Gregorio]

Here's my latest acquisitions ;D ;D ;D

[Mark Itol]

Congrats, Jun. I've yet to buy a bird guide book

[Eric Patdu]

Hello Jun, congratulations on your new "toys".

Been contemplating on buying that book to complement my other two books: National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America and The Sibley Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern North America. Just don't know if it is worth it. I am particularly interested in the included bird songs. How do you find the book?

[Teddy Regpala]

Eric, I think they're all available at Amazon.
I checked it last night, since I'm interested in the bird calls as well.

Our Audubon guide has this gadget, which looks like ... actually it's an iPod with a small powerful speaker, with a nice case.
They used it the last time I joined a birding trip.
They played the bird calls in a spot where they expect such species. In a few minutes, some birds actually appeared. Really neat.
Well, for me, I'm more interested in the calls so I can ID the bird even though I don't have a visual of them.

[Jun Gregorio]

Sept 9, 2008 14:52:54 GMT Eric Patdu said:

Hello Jun, congratulations on your new "toys".

Been contemplating on buying that book to complement my other two books: National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America and The Sibley Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern North America. Just don't know if it is worth it. I am particularly interested in the included bird songs. How do you find the book?

I already bought this when I saw the Nat Geo FG. I think NGFG book has more info. The one I got is good for finding the names of the species but lack the info of the subjects. My overall opinion is that it's a little on the expensive side.

You are right. The sound bytes are helpful in identifying their locations/habitat.

Sept 9, 2008 16:53:40 GMT Teddy Regpala said:

Eric, I think they're all available at Amazon.
I checked it last night, since I'm interested in the bird calls as well.

Our Audubon guide has this gadget, which looks like ... actually it's an iPod with a small powerful speaker, with a nice case.
They used it the last time I joined a birding trip.
They played the bird calls in a spot where they expect such species. In a few minutes, some birds actually appeared. Really neat.
Well, for me, I'm more interested in the calls so I can ID the bird even though I don't have a visual of them.

Good idea. It never occurred to me to use it as a field tool ;D I'll have to see how well it works on my PDA.

[Bob Kaufman]

Guys, please see my review of the Smithsonian Field Guide at
tenderstorm.multiply.com/reviews/item/7

Please note that the songs are for 138 (more common) species only, and yes, they are uploadable to an ipod.

It will be a nice compliment to the National Geographic and Sibley Field Guides.

[Teddy Regpala]

Thanks Bob for the review.

I think I'm going to order one. (Jun, take note, thanks)
The field guide I currently have is specific for California, and I don't think it's complete.
Most people in the birding trips I usually join are using Sibleys, not sure if it's any good. I hate drawings though, I prefer actual photographs of birds.

[Jun Gregorio]

That's what I found about the book.

It's great for quick ID. But for in-depth profiles, you have to use something else....like the Google library ;D ;D ;D

But I want to try using the MP3's to entice them to come to me.

[Eric Patdu]

Might also buy this book. But maybe not in the near future. I already have the Nat Geo and Sibley and have not used them except for backyard birding. When I start joining bird trips then this will surely be in my arsenal.

[Teddy Regpala]

Eric, how do you like the Sibley?

[Eric Patdu]

I like both of them. I just use the Sibley more because it is smaller and lists only those ranging in the east thus making my search easier.

If you are thinking of buying the western guide of Sibley then I cannot comment on it.

But, if you're just buying one guide, then I believe you can't go wrong with Nat Geo or Jun's Smithsonian (haven't had this yet) because you can use it wherever you are in the US. Plus, I've read somewhere that Nat Geo is more thorough than the Sibley's.

Just my "dalawang mamera" (2 cents).

[Bob Kaufman]

I have the Sibley's Western Guide, the National Geographic and Smithsonians. Each has its own merit. The Sibleys is best when differentiating between two similar species because it points out the "what to look for" qualities that tell one bird from another. The Nat'l Geo of course covers the entire US and Canada and is more scientific in its approach. The Smithsonian is also for the entire North America but does not cover the accidental and extremely rare species like the way the Natl'l Geo does. The Smithsonian, however, shows photographs of the birds including differences between male/female/juvenile plumages. And as mentioned before it contains a CD of some 138 species' songs and calls.

My 4 cents (inflation taken into consideration ;D)

[Teddy Regpala]

Sept 11, 2008 19:58:14 GMT Bob Kaufman said:

I have the Sibley's Western Guide, the National Geographic and Smithsonians. Each has its own merit. The Sibleys is best when differentiating between two similar species because it points out the "what to look for" qualities that tell one bird from another. The Nat'l Geo of course covers the entire US and Canada and is more scientific in its approach. The Smithsonian is also for the entire North America but does not cover the accidental and extremely rare species like the way the Natl'l Geo does. The Smithsonian, however, shows photographs of the birds including differences between male/female/juvenile plumages. And as mentioned before it contains a CD of some 138 species' songs and calls.

My 4 cents (inflation taken into consideration ;D)

Wonderful Bob! Just what I needed to hear. Straight from someone who owns (all of) them.

I'm leaning towards the Smithsonian for now, mainly based on needs.

Thanks.

[Teddy Regpala]

Sept 11, 2008 15:54:00 GMT Eric Patdu said:

I like both of them. I just use the Sibley more because it is smaller and lists only those ranging in the east thus making my search easier.

If you are thinking of buying the western guide of Sibley then I cannot comment on it.

But, if you're just buying one guide, then I believe you can't go wrong with Nat Geo or Jun's Smithsonian (haven't had this yet) because you can use it wherever you are in the US. Plus, I've read somewhere that Nat Geo is more thorough than the Sibley's.

Just my "dalawang mamera" (2 cents).

BTW, thanks for your two "lapu-lapu"s. ;D

I already have Birds of California Field Guide by Stan Tekiela, which I bought from a local birding store It has nice actual photographs, and organized by color. It's easier to browse or find the bird you're looking for. But I can't really recommend this to serious birders.
The photos are nice though, and helps to get an actual verification of the bird's ID. And since it's not complete, I'm looking for another guide to complement it.