Richard's Wildlife Bookshelf

« The Sibley Guide to Birds
is THE most important book for anyone interested in the birds of North America.

It has now been split into Western and Eastern editions, which are more portable in the field and have much improved distribution maps.

« The National Geographic Guide (Fifth Edition)
was the standard until Sibley came along; the vastly improved 5th edition is still well worth having on your shelf.

» National Geographic Complete Birds of North America
is the "coffee table" version of the field guide. Larger format, more info and a valuable addition to any North American birder's bookshelf.

« The Audubon Encyclopedia
is out of print but you'll easily find a used copy. The comprehensive text tells you everything that the smaller field guides have to leave out. A must!

» Hummingbirds of North America
is the only North American hummingbird guide you will ever need. I can't recommend this one highly enough - excellent!

« The Sparrows Photographic Guide
by David Beadle & James D. Rising is one of the most useful family guides around; a must for fans of the LBJ.

» New World Warblers
is a nicely illustrated guide to one of the most attractive and perplexing groups in America.

« Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas
Indispensible tool for Arizona birders. A top quality, up-to-date publication written by local bird experts.

» Tucson Audubon Society's SE Arizona Guide
is the most important book for resident and visiting birders in SE Arizona.

« The Collins Bird Guide of Europe
is to Britain and Europe what Sibley is to America. I think this is probably the best field guide in the world. The large format version, whilst not a "field" guide, is simply sensational!!

» Lars Jonsson's Birds of Europe
is a great field guide and showcases the talent of one of the best ever wildlife artists. Beautiful and functional.

« The MacMillan Bird Guides »
are two excellent books that are oddly overlooked. Bird Identification concentrates on the most difficult sets of species to ID in Britain and Europe, from beginner level to tricky ID situations such as Marsh & Reed Warbler.

The » Birder's Guide is aimed at the more advanced birding challenges and rarer birds in Europe and the Middle East.

« Steve Howell's Mexico Guide
is the standard for the region and highly recommended for birders visiting Central America or dreaming of rarities in the southern USA.

» The Edwards/Butler Mexico Guide
was usurped by the Howell guide, but is still preferred in the field by local bird guides, mainly for its portable size.

« The Birds of Belize
Finally, a comprehensive book on the birds of Belize! It's not the world's greatest field guide, but it IS good and I would say it's essential for anyone birding in the region. Highly recommended.

» The Birds of Costa Rica
along with the Howell Mexico guide, is the most important guide to the region. Similarly sized, so not ideal in the field

« A Belizean Rain Forest
is a charming, entertaining journey in a rain forest ecosystem through the eyes of Dr. Robert H. Horwich, the founder of the Community Baboon Sanctuary (the local name for Black Howler Monkey).

» Traveller's Wildlife Guide to Belize
doesn't cover every species, but contains an good selection of the commoner birds, mammals, insects, reptiles and fish of Belize.

« The Birds of South East Asia
and its offspring, the Birds of Thailand, are the standards for the region and are superbly illustrated.

» Thailand Photographic Guide
was absolutely indespensible for me in the jungle. It doesn't have every species, but is a quick pocket reference for when you're in a 'bird wave'.

« The Birds of the West Indies
is the new standard guide to the region. Whilst it's not the best field guide ever, it's perfectly adequate, especially if used in conjunction with a North American guide such as Sibley

« The Audubon Butterflies Guide
from the famous Audubon series, is a comprehensive and genuinely portable field guide to 600 species with over 1000 color photos.

» Butterflies of Arizona
is a truly fantastic photographic guide to all 331 species found in the state.

« Dragonflies Through Binoculars
is the best all round guide to dragonflies (but not damselflies) of North America.

» Dragonflies of California
does contain damselflies as well, and covers most of the species that I am likely to find in Arizona.

« The Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland
is the essential standard for British odonata and the most comprehensive field guide of its kind. Mind you, it's a lot easier to be comprehensive when there are fewer than 50 species to be taken into consideration...

« Audubon Insect and Spiders
is another in the famous Ausubon series. Comprehensive text and superb photography make this an important addition to any natural history bookshelf.

« Mammals of North America
is the best all round guide to North America's mammals. Whilst not perfect, the illustrations are largely accurate and the text is informative. It also covers marine mammals.

« Western Reptiles & Amphibians
was recommended to me by a local reptile expert and photographer as the best reptile guide for the southwest, and it hasn't dissapointed. The text is written with authority and the illustrations are great.

« Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises
is without doubt the best cetacean field guide available. Mark Carwardine's text is invaluable and Martin Camm's illustrations are both beautiful and accurate. You only need one book to identify cetaceans anywhere in the world, and this is it! Until....

» Whales, Dolphins & Other Marine Mammals of the World
At last a book that not only rivals, but actually goes a step further than the above. This one is VERY highly recommended!

« Birds of North America CD ROM
is a tremendous reference guide on your PC. Includes all 931 birds seen in the US and Canada. Photos, songs, range maps, videos, quizzes and ID tips. See side-by-side comparisons of all the birds , keep track of the birds you see , and make your own quizzes and screensavers. Highly recommended!