Field Guide to North American Flycatchers - by Cin-Ty Lee & Andrew Birch (Paperback)

About the Book

"A richly illustrated, portable field guide to flycatcher identification, The identification of Empidonax flycatchers and pewees can be a daunting challenge for even the most seasoned birder. Field Guide to North American Flycatchers takes bird identification to an entirely new level by training you how to observe subtle differences in structure, color patterns, and vocalizations before delving into the finer details of a particular species. Because the plumages of flycatchers are so similar, this one-of-a-kind guide uses illustrations that highlight slight variances among species that photos often miss. One of the last frontiers of bird identification is now accessible to everyone-once one knows what to look for. Uses a holistic approach that makes flycatcher identification possible even for beginners. Features a wealth of beautiful illustrations that depict every species in North America. Shows how to observe subtle differences in structure, plumage contrasts, and vocalizations, which together create a distinctive overall impression of the bird. Includes detailed audio spectrograms and seasonal distribution maps for each species. Shares invaluable tips for successful identification in all kinds of field settings. Its compact size and field-friendly layout make it the ideal travel companion for any birder"--

Book Synopsis

A richly illustrated, portable field guide to flycatcher identification

The identification of Empidonax flycatchers and pewees can be a daunting challenge for even the most seasoned birder. Field Guide to North American Flycatchers takes bird identification to an entirely new level by training readers to observe subtle differences in structure, color patterns, and vocalizations before delving into the finer details of a particular species. Because the plumages of flycatchers are so similar, this one-of-a-kind guide uses illustrations that highlight slight variances among species that photos often miss. One of the last frontiers of bird identification is now accessible to everyone--once one knows what to look for.

• Uses a holistic approach that makes flycatcher identification possible even for beginners
• Features a wealth of beautiful illustrations that depict every species in North America
• Shows how to observe subtle differences in structure, plumage contrasts, and vocalizations, which together create a distinctive overall impression of the bird
• Includes detailed audio spectrograms and seasonal distribution maps for each species
• Shares invaluable tips for successful identification in all kinds of field settings
• Its compact size and field-friendly layout make it the ideal travel companion for any birder

Combined with the second volume in the Field Guide to North American Flycatchers series, which focuses on kingbirds and Myiarchus flycatchers, these companion guides are the most comprehensive and accessible treatments of flycatcher identification to date.

Review Quotes

"[Field Guide to North American Flycatchers] effectively provides many detailed illustrations, charts, and temporal-occurrence graphs--as well as a host of excellent information to distinguish between species . . . This guide is a must-have for birders wanting to improve their field-identification skills."---Tony Leukering, Birding

"A methodical study of [Field Guide to North American Flycatchers] will be invaluable to any birder, regardless of skill level. . . . While I have had this small book for many months, I feel that I have barely scratched the surface in what I can learn from it."---Cyndi M. Smith, The Canadian Field-Naturalist

""There are few books that instantly spark the urge to go out and use it. This Empidonax flycatcher guide is definitely one of those. The shapes of an eyering, subtle differences in the contrast of tertials, and very fine-tuned shades of grey are music to me, and Cin-Ty Lee and Andrew Birch play this demanding piece convincingly. Bravo!"--Lars Jonsson, author of Lars Jonsson's Birds: Paintings from a Near Horizon"

"Essential reading. . . . What Prof. Lee and Mr. Birch have provided to the birdwatching and natural history communities deserves high praise indeed. Ensuring that their work is read, employed, and recommended are three of the best ways to seeing to that they receive due recognition for it."---John E. Riutta, The Well-read Naturalist

"[H]andsomely produced. . . . Andrew Birch's drawings, here and throughout the book, are attractive and meticulous."---Rick Wright, The Broadwing

"Empidonax flycatchers . . . have needed a book like this for a long time, and I'm just really glad that when it does finally come along that it is done as well as it is."---Nate Swick, American Birding Association

"An American Birding Association Best Bird Book of the Year"

"An important step forward in the available identification material for this group of species. . . . Even experienced birders from within the ranges of these species will likely learn from this book"---Ben Lucking, British Birds

"Holding your hand through the entire process, the guide makes it possible to identify almost any empid and pewee that might cross your path"---David Callahan, Birdwatch Magazine

"

The illustrations are magnificent. . . . I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to everyone who has ever or will ever struggle with flycatcher identification - it is a great addition to the specialized books out there.

"---Geoff Carpentier, North Durham Nature

"A unique and excellent field guide, and one very well worth having if you are interested in trying to improve your identification skills when it relates to the often-challenging identification of these commonly encountered flycatcher species. . . . . Cin-Ty Lee and Andrew Birch should be congratulated on producing such a well-designed, comprehensive, and beautifully illustrated guide that will surely aid many users, beginners and experts alike."---Frank Lambert, Frank Lambert Birding

"A MUST have for anyone birding North America!"---Ian Paulsen, The Birdbooker Report

"This book is amazing, this book is fantastic. It offers so much insight into the world of flycatchers. . . . It offers a lot on how to challenge our perception of things, how to look at things in a different way. . . . The artwork is awesome, the details are awesome."---Byron Murray, To Know the Land

"A book well worth owning for both its excellence of content and uniqueness. . . . [It is] light and portable, and, with minimal technical language, geared to birders of every level."---Donna Lynn Schulman, 10,000 Birds

"An incredibly handy tool. . . . As an eBird reviewer I already know that I'll be pulling this book off the shelf on a regular basis during migration."---Blaine Carnes, Association of Field Ornithologists

About the Author

Cin-Ty Lee is a geologist in the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences at Rice University. Andrew Birch is an artist who has provided illustrations for numerous bird identification articles and books.