2011 Gift Guide for Birders

Looking for something to get for the bird-lover in your life? You can never go wrong with a good bird book. Here are a few suggestions.

Field Guides

Birdwatchers can never have enough field guides (to the delight of publishers everywhere). I’m not going too far out on a limb when I say that the only way either of these wouldn’t be a hit is if the recipient already has a copy.

 

For Children

  • For the Birds: The Life of Roger Tory PetersonFor the Birds: The Life of Roger Tory Peterson
    Peggy Thomas (Author) and Laura Jacques (Illustrator)

    This book is worth sharing just for the gorgeous illustrations. But it also tells the story of Roger Tory Peterson’s life, while encouraging children to pay attention to nature and the birds around them. That makes this the perfect gift for kids ages eight and up.

For more suggestions for kids, please see this list of Children’s Bird Books.

 

Other Books

  • Avian Architecture: How Birds Design, Engineer, and BuildAvian Architecture: How Birds Design, Engineer, and Build
    Peter Goodfellow

    One of my favorite books this year, Avian Architecture not only shows the various kinds of nests birds make, but how they make them. Just take a look at all the cool stuff it includes!

  • The Birds of AmericaThe Birds of America
    John James Audubon

    No birder’s library is complete without a copy of Audubon’s masterpiece. At the current price ($42.01 as I’m writing this), this is a bargain, and recommended for those who don’t have the room (on shelf or in the budget) for the larger, more expensive baby elephant folio edition.

  • The Atlas of Birds: Diversity, Behavior, and ConservationThe Atlas of Birds: Diversity, Behavior, and Conservation
    Mike Unwin

    This attractive, well-designed book presents a LOT of information about all the kinds of birds, how and where they live, and their conservation. While any birder can learn from it, it is perfect for someone just getting into birds.

  • Arctic Autumn: A Journey to Season's EdgeArctic Autumn: A Journey to Season’s Edge
    Pete Dunne

    One of birding’s best authors takes us to the northern edge of the continent. Although not all (or even mostly) about birds, it’s still a very good read that any birdwatcher will likely enjoy.

Posted by Grant McCreary on December 6th, 2011.

Category: Other

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