Sibley Birds West: Field Guide to Birds of Western North America (Sibley Guides) Paperback – March 29, 2016

I ordered this book the day after I was hired to survey birds in National Park properties through out the Chihuahuan Desert. The second edition of "Birds West" is the first Sibley publication I've owned and I can not deny it has been a spectacular investment in the field. Up until this point I have relied on National Geographic's field guide to Western Birds and have been referencing both through out the season. What sets Sibley apart is not necessarily his artwork (which is exceptional regardless), but his knack for providing extraordinarily helpful information in a brief format.The Nat Geo guide attempts to cram visual, behavioral, and habitat information into a small paragraph which allows maximal room for illustration. Sibley, on the other hand, has developed a format geared to maximize the recognition of diagnostic traits in the field. Each section is prefaced with a reference page showing each species, grouped into genus, side by side. This really helps you recognize the shared traits of a genus which can make all the difference when you're in a location with 6 wren species coming from 6 different genus. On the individual pages, Sibley gives more than adequate descriptions of the habitat you're likely to find each bird in and his comprehensive illustrations and sketches high light even the least expected diagnostic features. Thanks to this I was able to initially ID a Black-chinned Hummer from its display flight pattern alone.The only short-coming of this regional field guide is a trivial one unique to the situation I find myself in. Surveying areas that fall right on the border that divides Sibley's Western guide from his Eastern, he has chosen to exclude some rarities, like the Great Kiskadee and Ringed Kingfisher, that would've been helpful. These are also excluded from my Nat Geo guide, however I have no doubt Sibley has included them in his comprehensive field guide. For the price, artwork, and the quality and breadth of information provided, this is definitely the book I'd recommend highest to any serious birder looking to gain familiarity with Western species.

A wonderful addition to my refence collection.

I plan to visit the United States this summer for two weeks (California) and some eastern states, as usual I have to read about the birds and the areas which I will visit to be ready for know any bird when I see it in the field( I don't have enough time for id )also know birds habitat and habits , some people might say that the opinion about birds guide should be after use in the field !! It's right , but i can say that i am used many guides before for a different areas and I now have the experience enough to issue a decision also I've tested myself and a comparison between this guide illustrations with photos or videos for some different birds , so after that i can say that this nice guide has many positives (size, weight, price, planning, print, colours, clear maps, many illustrations for each bird including flight mode ,song,call and up to date ), the maps cover all of the North America, but the status of the East only, I wish that the maps shows only the eastern part but I think with this you can use it in western parts .the only negative that I see (just for me) is a measure (an inch) I'm used to the metric.but its not big problem ended If I understand the conversion between the two scales.

Sibley Birds West is a fantastic resource for those looking to dive into the birdwatching. As someone relatively new to this world, I stumbled upon this book, and it has been an invaluable starting point.The standout feature of this book is the stunning illustrations. David Sibley's artistic talent truly shines through. The illustrations are not only beautiful but also incredibly accurate, bringing each bird to life on the page.The book's format is refreshingly concise, making it accessible to beginners like me. It provides just the right amount of information to get started. This straightforward layout makes it easy to identify birds and enjoy the learning process. Sibley offers brief yet informative descriptions of each species, giving you a great starting point for your birding adventures. What's particularly enjoyable is how he adds interesting details about bird behavior, habitats, and unique traits.Whether you're just starting or have some experience, this book with its captivating illustrations, concise format, and helpful information is a must-have companion for birdwatching. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in exploring the world of birds.

I bought this as a requirement for my ornithology class but still two years later I find myself going back to it out of curiosity whenever I see a bird that I am curious about.