Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America

Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America
by Roger Tory Peterson

Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America
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Book Summary Information

Author: Roger Tory Peterson
Brand: Peterson
Foreword: Lee Allen Peterson
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-08-01
ISBN: 0618966145
Number of pages: 544
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co

Book Reviews of Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America

Book Review: A fitting tribute to America's most popular Birdwatcher.
Summary: 5 Stars

There is no disputing the fact that Roger Tory Peterson did more than any other person in bringing Birdwatching to the attention,passion and popularity of so many people during his lifetime.
It was by using his skills as an artist, and marrying it with his great love of birds and searching for and identifying birds that led him to creating his "Field Guide to the Birds" in 1934, at the young age of 26.What he did was to use his skills to produce a book that took the difficult job of identifying birds in the field (wild),from the domain of textbooks and museums to a simple,easy to use and understand,pocket- sized field guide;that was the "tool" needed to advance the interest in birds, from a few people, into the most popular sport and hobby in America that it is today.
He used these same skills in creating a whole series of "Peterson Field Guides" on other fields of Natural History.For this,he became world famous and was awarded numerous awards and honors.
While this latest edition is a far cry from the original,180 page, black & white guide; the 1934 guide was a major breakthrough that set the standard and direction that field guides would follow ,resulting the numerous wonderful guides we have today.
To really become familiar with America's favorite Birdwatcher;I suggest one get hold of "The World of Roger Tory Peterson" ,An Authorized Biography by John Devlin and Grace Naismith,published in 1977. (Available on the Used Market) or the more recent biography ,"Birdwatcher-The Life of Roger Tory Pterson" by Elizabeth Rosenthal ,and the Amazon Reviews. Roger Tory Peterson also wrote a wonderful book with James Fisher,"Wild America"in 1955 .Fisher,Britain's most famous Birdwatcher,joined his friend Peterson in a 100 day adventurous experience of "seeing"600 birds in North America.
In spite of his reknowned prominence and huge work output;Peterson was always extremely generous with his time. Anyone who ever met him commented on his friendlness and had a story to tell. I had the honor to meet him in Soccoro,New Mexico.He was the keynote speaker at the first, of what would become the annual "Festival of Cranes" at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.Dr.Peterson also spent the afternoon in a tiny Bookstore in Soccoro meeting Birders,swapping stories and signing copies of his Field Guides.I was flabbergasted when I noticed a lady with a whole box of her field guides for signature. I thought Dr.Peterson would "blow his top";but to everybody's suprise, he welcomed her with a big smile and signed every last one of them and commented on many that were obviously old and well worn from much use. When he signed a copy of his "Eastern Birds" for me;we talked about some Birders he had met in Toronto many before and was pleased to hear that they were still active. When I commented on how carefully he signed my book,rather than just a quick scribble;he said "If people care enough to wait for me to sign their book ;I feel I should be honored and do it properly".When I returned home,I compared his signature with one I had in his "Wild America";I found it to have been just as carefully done,way back in 1955.
Several years ago,I used to draw a sketch of a rare or new bird I was looking to add to my "list" I would get out several of my books to use in my drawings. Without exception,I would always end up using Peterson's illustration because it always gave the best representation of the fine distinctions to look for,especially when trying to differentiate one bird from a similar species.Little wonder,as that was this great Artist's and Birder's talent.
As great as Dr. Peterson was;nobody's perfect.Birders can tend to be a pretty discriminating bunch when it comes to field guides and bird books.
When Peterson's first Field Guide came out in 1934 ,there were only 2000 copies at the first printing. It is a greatly sought copy by birders who have large bird book collections. If you think you have found one;be careful!! The way to confirm a first printing of the First Edition is to check the index.A tyopgraphical error resulted with Bog-pumper being shown as Bob-pumper.Now, how about this booboo by "The Great One" He once did a plate of Woodpeckers showing the Black-backed Woodpecker (3-toes) with four toes. This plate appeared in several publications including "The Birds of Newfoundland" by Peters and Burleigh.Even modern Field Guides are not without slip-ups.The First Edition of the National Geographic "Field Guide to the Birds of North America ",showed the Connecticut Warbler with huge, oversized feet. A check of the Third Edition,showed this corrected corrected somewhat, by covering the feet with leaves;and later, corrected in later Editions.Oh well,something for birders to look for when they can't go birding.

A wonderful book that should be in every Birder's library.
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Summary of Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America

In celebration of the centennial of Roger Tory Peterson s birth comes a historic collaboration among renowned birding experts and artists to preserve and enhance the Peterson legacy. This new book combines the Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Birds and Peterson Field Guide to Western Birds into one volume, filled with accessible, concise information and including almost three hours of video podcasts to make bird watching even easier. 10.00 inches tall x 8.00 inches long x 1.00 inches wide
Product Description
In celebration of the centennial of Roger Tory Peterson's birth comes a historic collaboration among renowned birding experts and artists to preserve and enhance the Peterson legacy. This new book combines the Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Birds and Peterson Field Guide to Western Birds into one volume, filled with accessible, concise information and including almost three hours of video podcasts to make bird watching even easier.

? 40 new paintings
? Digital updates to Peterson's original paintings, reflecting the latest knowledge of bird identification
? All new maps for the most up-to-date range information available
? Text rewritten to cover the U.S. and Canada in one guide
? Larger trim size accommodates range maps on every spread
? Contributors include: Michael DiGiorgio, Jeff Gordon, Paul Lehman, Michael O'Brien, Larry Rosche, and Bill Thompson III
? Includes URL to register for access to video podcasts

Excerpts from Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America
Click on each image below to see a larger view


Colorful songbirds with heavy, seed-crushing bills, cardinals and grosbeaks are popular at feeders.


In North America, the Orchard and Baltimore Orioles are fairly widespread in the East; Bullock's is widespread in the West; and the Spot-breasted Oriole is limited to South Florida.


Peterson sometimes painted over figures on a plate and sometimes even cut them out. Canyon Wren was missing from the original art. Michael O'Brien painted a new Canyon Wren for inclusion in the new field guide.


The Orange Bishop is native to Africa but has been introduced in California. Peterson had not painted this bird for his field guides, so Michael O?Brien painted this one.


Thumbnail maps help you determine at a glance if a bird is likely to be in your region.


Large maps in back give detailed range information.

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