Peterson’s Warbler’s Guide: Review of a Field Guide to North American Warblers by Dunn and Garrett
This is a book review A Field Guide to the Warblers of North Americapublished as part of Peterson’s Field Guide series, and written by Jon L Dunn Y Kimball L. Garrettand illustrated by Thomas R Schultz Y cindy houseand with maps Sue A.Tackett Y Larry O. Rosche. This book is often referred to simply as the Peterson’s Warbler Guideas the book cover simply says “Warblers” in bold at the top.
Summary:
The Peterson Field Guide series is best known for the original Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America and related books, although the guide series has since expanded into a myriad of different guides, covering plants, animals, geology, astronomy and a wide variety of natural themes. The Warblers guide is one of the most important guides in this series, and I would say one of the best. However, it’s also quite different from the other guides, and it’s not necessarily the best or most accessible book for beginning birders.
Warblers, in this case referring to the New World warblers, family Parulidae, are a specific family of birds, a family rich in biodiversity. Warblers tend to be very small, highly migratory, and very active birds with bright coloration. Due to their small size, migratory nature, and the tendency of many species to forage high in the treetops or in hidden spots in dense bush, they offer some of the most difficult identification challenges for advanced birders.
The Person Warblers Guide is a highly specialized field guide, which goes into considerable depth on each species. It has two primary purposes: to aid advanced birders seeking to truly master the art of warbler identification, and to survey the scientific literature surrounding each of these species. It is outstanding in both respects.
The Peterson’s Warbler Guide to Bird Identification:
This book features full-color plates of each species, showing not only the distinctive plumage of males and females, but also the distinctions between males and females in different seasons (spring vs. fall) and, where relevant, the distinction among juveniles or first year birds, and also older and more mature birds. In addition to the normal plates showing the birds’ full plumage, there is a separate series of drawings illustrating the undertail patterns of the various species, an essential part of warbler identification.
Illustrations are combined with brief written summaries of what aspects of the plumage to look for to aid in identification, but the book doesn’t end there. Each chapter has lengthy, paragraph-to-page discussions of identification, including discussion of possible similar species that can be confused, as well as lengthy comments on shape, habitat, behavior, and other often overlooked clues that they can be just as important. , or sometimes more importantly, in bird identification.
Ecology and conservation issues:
The other amazing strength of this guide, and in my opinion very rare among field guides, is the level of depth with which it delves into the topic of the ecology of each species. This book comprehensively surveys the scientific literature and includes very modern works as well as a comprehensive history of older works. in each species. There are extensive sections on the habitat requirements and ecological relationships of each warbler species, and there is also an extensive discussion of population health and conservation issues related to each of the warblers.
In summary:
The book A Field Guide to the Warblers of North Americacommonly known as the Peterson’s Warbler Guide, is a highly specialized field guide on the subject of warblers. It is not suitable for beginning birders, but is an excellent resource for advanced birders looking to master warbler identification. It is also an outstanding reference on the subject of ecological and conservation issues related to warblers, and would be an invaluable reference book for ornithologists and scientists doing any warbler-related work, or for the curious hobby birder who seeks to develop a deeper understanding of warblers. these species.
