New Book: Field Guide to North American Flycatchers: Empidonax and Pewees

Field Guide to North American Flycatchers: Empidonax and Pewees
by Cin-Ty Lee; Illustrated by Andrew Birch

From Princeton University Press:

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

 

This is exactly the sort of detailed guide to empids and pewees that I’ve been hoping for since…well, basically since I started birding. Simply put, every North American birder should have this.

 

Field Guide to North American Flycatchers: Empidonax and Pewees
by Cin-Ty Lee; Illustrated by Andrew Birch
Flexi-binding; 168 pages
Princeton University Press; April 4, 2023
ISBN: 9780691240626
$19.95

Posted by Grant McCreary on April 8th, 2023.