Listmania!
Recommended resources for Ornithology class
By an Amazon.com customer
The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & BehaviorThe Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior by David Allen Sibley
Buy new: $27.00 / Used from: $13.50
Required for my ornithology classes. A great reference.
Manual of Ornithology: Avian Structure and FunctionManual of Ornithology: Avian Structure and Function by Noble S. Proctor
Buy new: $29.25 / Used from: $20.95
Required for my ornithology classes - fabulous line drawings!
A Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern and Central North AmericaA Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern and Central North America
Buy new: $13.57 / Used from: $7.25
This is my recommendation as the best beginning field guide. It has excellent ID cues, diagrams, and organization.
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Fifth EditionNational Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Fifth Edition by Jon L. Dunn
Buy new: $16.32 / Used from: $11.75
This is my personal favorite as it covers the entire U.S. - good choice if you think this will be a lifelong pursuit.
The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North AmericaThe Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America by David Allen Sibley
Buy new: $13.57 / Used from: $12.29
Preferred by many birders, and all around excellent guide.
Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North AmericaKaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America by Kenn Kaufman
Buy new: $12.89 / Used from: $3.53
Kaufman digitally altered pictures to bring out the kinds of features you would get from a painting. Organized by family groupings with color coded tabs and so a good choice for younger birders especially.
National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds--E: Eastern Region - Revised EditionNational Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds--E: Eastern Region - Revised Edition by NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY
Buy new: $13.57 / Used from: $3.98
Personally, I don't like pictures of birds - impossible to capture the variation. Otherwise an excellent choice.
The Sibley Guide to BirdsThe Sibley Guide to Birds by David Allen Sibley
Buy new: $23.10 / Used from: $15.00
This is NOT a true FIELD guide - a tad too large to jam into a cargo pants pocket. You need it in your car though!
A Field Guide to Bird Songs: Eastern and Central North America (Peterson Field Guides)A Field Guide to Bird Songs: Eastern and Central North America (Peterson Field Guides) by Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology
Buy new: $13.60 / Used from: $8.90
You need a CD of bird songs for review. There are many good ones - try to match the CD with your field guide. Many now place these on their iPOD or MP3 player. Google BirdPod for an easy way to do this.
Birding by Ear: Eastern and Central North America (Peterson Field Guides(R))Birding by Ear: Eastern and Central North America (Peterson Field Guides(R)) by Richard K. Walton
Buy new: $19.80 / Used from: $15.91
An invaluable resource as well for beginners or review. I have copies available for loan. There is a 2nd volume.
Guide to Birds of North America v3.9 - WindowsGuide to Birds of North America v3.9 - Windows
This is the software I have in class on the computers, but it is great for review, quizzes, and bird listing.
Audubon Raptor 8x42Audubon Raptor 8x42
Buy new: $119.99
Some 'inexpensive' binocular recommendations. Should find for under $200. Also try BINOCULARS.COM and EAGLE OPTICS
Nikon Action 8x40 EX Extreme ATB BinocularNikon Action 8x40 EX Extreme ATB Binocular
Buy new: $123.95
A great beginners binocular. Should find it for under $150.
Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42 Waterproof BinocularNikon Monarch ATB 8x42 Waterproof Binocular
Buy new: $236.39
Best binocular available for under $300.
Birder's Field Notebook All Weather WritingBirder's Field Notebook All Weather Writing
Buy new: $5.95
Required. To test it you have to bird in the rain...