Field Guide to North American Flycatchers

Book excerpt: A richly illustrated, portable guide to two of the most challenging groups of flycatchers to identify in the field The identification of flycatchers can be a daunting challenge for even the most seasoned birder. The Field Guide to North American Flycatchers series 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 innovative guide uses illustrations that highlight slight variations 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 Compact and field-friendly—the ideal travel companion for any birder This guide is dedicated to kingbirds and Myiarchus flycatchers. Combined with the first volume in this identification series, which focuses on Empidonax flycatchers and pewees, these companion guides are the most comprehensive and accessible treatments of flycatcher identification to date.