I need some bIrdwatchers Advice?

Question

I've recently have become very interested in birdwatching. I have some binoculars, and would like to start the making of a yardlist. I live in indiana, and was wondering if anyone knew some good guides and checklist books i could use. I'm limited on cash, but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Use the Internet or go to your local library.  I found a birdwatcher check-list book at our library and I copied the pages I needed.

Answer 2

You can't beat Pete. All the Peterson guides are excellent. If money is a factor, attend a few "Friends of the _______ Library" book sales. Peterson's guide to the eastern birds crops up very frequently. The Golden Press book Birds of North America is good too but for background information, rather than as a field guide. Avoid the Audubon guides -- poorly organized.

Answer 3

The best book I have found is David Sibley's BIrds of North America. It may be a bit pricey for you, though. You might try a second hand book store near you. Other decent field guides are National Geographic and Petersons. Petersons is nice because it points out what to look for on the bird, using little arrows.

If you really want to learn, try finding a local Audubon society or bird club. Most will offer field trips that are free or have a very small charge. You will learn a lot more by hanging out with experienced birders. You might check and see if there is a Wild Birds Unlimited store or other bird feeding store in your area. They can usually give you contact information.

Good luck. Birding is an incredible hobby. Be careful, or you will become as obsessed as I am! ;-)

Answer 4

There are several good field guides, but the National Geographic guide is best in my opinion.  Peterson isn't bad, but it doesn't cover all of the US and Canada; if you ever travel to the West Coast, you'd need the western guide.