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BIRD BOOK?

Howard - 3-7-2013 at 07:21 PM

OK, all you birders, (is there such a word?) if I can't fight em, guess I'll join em.

What is the most concise book to identify birds of Baja? I am not looking for some thick heavy book, just something to help me identify some of those noisy little critters. Some of those yellow ones (Orioles?) are starting to eat the Chupa Rosa's food and I might as well know the identity of birds like that.

I am talking about the Loreto area but basically all over Southern Baja.

Jeez, I think I need to get a life, talking to birds and wanting to know their name could be a sign of going downhill fast.

Anyone have any good bird jokes?

Pompano - 3-7-2013 at 07:52 PM

Howard, welcome to the party.

A handy paperback Audabon bird identification of North Amercica has done me well over the years. I have put names to all the birds in Coyote Bay.

Some I had to slow down a bit first, though. :rolleyes:

But then, there's always the grill...

"The moment a little boy is concerned with which is a jay and which is a sparrow, he can no longer see the birds or hear them sing. "

- Eric Berne

Leo - 3-7-2013 at 07:57 PM

Sibleys field guide is the best for Baja, but it's rather heavy. I like Popano's joke. Sorry, I don't have any.

Howard - 3-7-2013 at 08:00 PM

Hmmn, is that anything like;

"Bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush?"

Which versions?

Howard - 3-7-2013 at 08:10 PM

Seriously guys, I went on E-Bay for both books and there are different versions of those books. Can you help with a ittle better definition of which ones you use?

Really appreciate it,

Howard

mulegemichael - 3-7-2013 at 08:34 PM

roger tory peterson has many many great informative bird books out there, but for the life of me, i cannot think of the name of ANY of them...we use "birds of western north america" by paul sterry and brian small....has photos so gives one a realistic look at what a beginner birder might see..easy to use...fits in a day pack beside our binoculars and lunch...

Pompano - 3-7-2013 at 08:43 PM

"Birds We See in Baja California Sur"

by CE Llewellyen

Lots of photos specializing in the desert, arroyos, canyons, and estuaries of East Cape, Cabo, etc. Might be just what you need.

The author is a cancer survivor and donates a portion of the proceeds to cancer research.

http://birdswesee.com/books-on-birds-in-baja-california-sur-...

I love bird watching, too, Howard. Heck, all us Baja types love that hobby! Here's a post I made about birding back in 2009. Hope you enjoy it.

Birds. In Baja we are blessed with sooo many birds..marine and land types.

I grew up bordered by wilderness and live in those environments still, Up North and Down Baja, so it naturally fell that I should become a birder of sorts. Early on, my siblings and I learned all thier calls, habits, habitats, seasons....and whether to have them in a campfire Dutch oven or kitchen-roasted at 350F. :rolleyes:

Like Up North, Baja has a vast diversity of birdlife, and identifying all of these southern Baja types can be a most satisfying and rewarding endeavor. I've been hooked on it since my first visit.

Coyote Cove within Conception Bay is always full of birds. Enough that several Audabon bird-watching cruises have visited here over the years. Many of our islands have rookeries, some almost completely white from the guano of thousands of marine birds roosting there.

The following favorite photos are either from my bayfront home or the islands in front. Truly a birder's paradise, so stop for a visit, and be sure to bring your camera.

.
My favorite place to watch and ID Baja birds is right at home. I have several feeder stations set up around the property to entice birds to come within very close range of my camera. A special treat is to sit quietly, have coffee, and watch the action. Hey..got my own Discovery Channel going here. Wanna see?
.
March Birds

The following were all taken from my computer desk while posting here and having coffee this morning. A Baja hobby in the making...

.
Dove Mob

.
This gull's curiousity got the best of him. Looks like he's a real jailbird.

Nope..gulls are too smart. Posts are for them.

.Can you ID this type of oriole?

I've GOT to get back to the canvas again..those colors are remarkable.

.
The Cleaning Crew show up.

.
This fellow just flew in a moment ago when I was writing this post...

.
Hmmm...a cat eating bird seed? That ruse will NOT work around here.

.
Well..there are lots more birds to feed, decoy, and take photos of, but they will have to wait....it's time for lunch. Who's got a recipe for cat?

Edit to add: Sorry Howard, I got a little carried away there...

[Edited on 3-8-2013 by Pompano]

mtgoat666 - 3-7-2013 at 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Howard
OK, all you birders, (is there such a word?) if I can't fight em, guess I'll join em.

What is the most concise book to identify birds of Baja? I am not looking for some thick heavy book, just something to help me identify some of those noisy little critters. Some of those yellow ones (Orioles?) are starting to eat the Chupa Rosa's food and I might as well know the identity of birds like that.

I am talking about the Loreto area but basically all over Southern Baja.

Jeez, I think I need to get a life, talking to birds and wanting to know their name could be a sign of going downhill fast.

Anyone have any good bird jokes?

Choose the book you like best. Same birds, just different styles of presentation.

For lists check out mexicobirding.com

wilderone - 3-8-2013 at 09:10 AM

Many bird books, but if you choose one for Western United States will be suitable (NOT birds of the United States, or even birds of Mexico - Mexico has jungle, mountains, and totally different migratory routes). Get one with photos - not drawings.

wilderone - 3-8-2013 at 09:13 AM

Although a '94 edition, this seems like a good deal:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/National-Audubon-Society-Field-Guide...

fish101 - 3-8-2013 at 09:27 AM

Try the book store on Hidalgo in Loreto...El Caballo Blanco Bookstore they have all your needs.. :?:

Martyman - 3-8-2013 at 09:36 AM

My favorite, by far, is put out by National Geographic. Get the most recent North American edition. I think the drawings are better than photos.

LaTijereta - 3-8-2013 at 09:38 AM

Here is a good one to use in Loreto..

http://bcsbirds.com/

:cool:

ncampion - 3-8-2013 at 10:05 AM

When I was an Ornithology student in college (many, many years ago), Peterson Field Guides were considered the bible. He does have one titled, Mexican Birds which covers both Mainland and Baja. We find it pretty useful, but maybe too much for just Baja. I like LaTijereta's web site.

Birds

capitolkat - 3-8-2013 at 11:34 AM

I have the National Audubon Scoiety Field Guide to North American Birds- Western region-- It has great photos and a good guide to habitat and has most if not all the Baja birds

The photo Pompano posted is the Hooded Oriole, and they are frequent visitors to our home, along with a pair of Caracols that have taken a liking to perching on our fence, checking out the pool, and looking for the occassional mouse that drowns there.

Norm

Marinero - 3-8-2013 at 12:02 PM

The orioles with the pure yellow head are strangely enough called Hooded Orioles. Sometimes hard to be certain with the females, but the males are easy. the black headed ones are Scott's Orioles. I think those two are the only ones here in baja, except maybe an occasional stray of some sort.

Hi Howard

BigOly - 3-8-2013 at 01:21 PM

If you go to BirdsWeSee.com you can view the book's trailer. "Birds We See" in Baja California Sur, Mexico. You can also sign up for email notifications for when we blog about birds. We'll be at the fair at Palmas de Cortez in Los Barriles March 24th with books to sell or order off the web site. The book has a 5 star (out of 5) on Amazon.com.

toneart - 3-8-2013 at 01:51 PM

Howard,

Now that you are becoming a bird brain in your advanced years, here is your guide. Just be sure to wear a hat and industrial glasses when looking up, and keep your mouth shut, too.

For years I have used Stokes Field Guide To Birds, Western Region,1996 edition. I see that Amazon is still selling that edition...five stars. They also have a brand new edition.

It is well indexed and has great photos. I have identified most birds I would see in Mulege and also in Northern California. The maps clearly show in what sub regions each bird is found, and which seasons.

Skipjack Joe - 3-8-2013 at 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wilderone
Many bird books, but if you choose one for Western United States will be suitable (NOT birds of the United States, or even birds of Mexico - Mexico has jungle, mountains, and totally different migratory routes). Get one with photos - not drawings.

Couldn't disagree more:

1) Do not get a bird guide for Western United States and expect to be able to identify all of Baja's birds. Many baja migrants come from our east coast (cardinal). There are hummingbirds down there that never make it north to the US.

2) Do not get a photo id guide. Some critical markings are hard to see on a bird or photo but are key to identifying it. Roger Peterson's main contribution to ornithology were a system of paintings that simplify and clearly show these distinguishing features, and that still holds true today.

Q: What's the difference between bird flu and swine flu?
A: If you have bird flu, you need tweetment. If you have swine flu, you need oink-ment.

Hook - 3-9-2013 at 08:02 AM

I have an older Stokes and feel that the Nat Geo guides and the Peterson's are better. I have not used the new version of the Stokes.

There is a great list of bird book reviews at the bottom of this link.

http://birdchaser.blogspot.mx/p/bird-book-reviews-ill-admit-...

[Edited on 3-9-2013 by Hook]

Pompano - 3-9-2013 at 08:42 AM

I often prefer illustrations to photos for identifying certain critters...including birds.

Here's a comparison of one the world's rarest birds... found only in Hawaii...the Nene goose. It is the sixth most endangered waterfowl species worldwide.

Photo or illustration. Both are good sources of information..and of course, every birder has his/her choice, as it should be..just so long as it's...'fair and balanced'. :rolleyes:

mtgoat666 - 3-9-2013 at 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

Quote:

Ok, so conclusion is: buy several bird books. Done!

daveB - 3-9-2013 at 02:00 PM

National Audobon Society "The Sibley Guide to Birds" covers North America,written and illustrated by David Allen Sibley. Baja birds are included.

"The Birds of Mexico and Adjecent Areas" by Ernest Preston Edwards. Principal Illustrator is Edward Murrell Butler.

These are the books we use and find satisfactory. You can't have enough bird books.

A great guide to have, some of it pretaining to birds you will find in Baja, is the National Audobon Society "Field Guide to the Southwestern States." All manner of desert plants and animals (and Birds) are included.

DianaT - 3-9-2013 at 05:22 PM

My favorite way to identify a bird that catches my attention.

1. Take picture
2. Post picture on facebook and Baja Nomads
3. Wait for one of the bird fans on Nomads to identify
4. Compare the Nomad identification with the identification on facebook made by my biologist bird expert friend from Ensenada

Bingo! OK, that may be the lazy way, but it works for me. :biggrin:

I have a bird book on the book shelf and it just seems to stay there. But is has too few pictures anyway.

Skipjack Joe - 3-9-2013 at 06:14 PM

Your Choice.

[Edited on 3-10-2013 by Skipjack Joe]

tripledigitken - 3-9-2013 at 06:28 PM

Igor,

Agree with you regarding the drawn/painted for ID purposes, much superior to photos.

My two Bird books that go on the road with us:

Mexican Birds-Peterson Field Guides
Nat Geo Field Guide to the Birds of North America 5th edition

Ken

like the revised 2nd sample, the original looked a little photoshopped. :lol:

[Edited on 3-10-2013 by tripledigitken]