Birds of Arizona and New Mexico

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. A great book about the birds you can see in New Mexico and Arizona. Lots of great pictures and information.

A Timber Press Field Guide always makes me very happy. I enjoy them because not only are they visually stunning, but they are informative, concise and so enjoyable. They are accesible in that tey are a pleasure to read, very well organised and easy to refer to, as well as delving deep into each area they cover.

Topmost, is that the photography is always so very beautiful. How these pictures are captured absolutely boggles my mind but I am so very glad that they are as we get to enjoy them!

Birds of Arizona and New Mexico by Melissa Fratello & Steven Prager is a wonderful title in this series. Beginning with equipment and some identification criteria. You are not bogged down by jargonese, the text is conversational,. sharing an enthusiasm for the subject without an info dump or overpowering narrative. From urban areas to national parks and wetlands, this vevry helpful guide contains useful information for any new ornithologist and indeed, some seasoned ones! (Great sections on trail etiquette, safety and respect for indigenous and private lands)

All in all, a stunning book but packed full of everything you need to know to go out and see if you can spot species you don't notice every day

Thank you very much to Netgalley, Timber Press, Melissa Fratello & Steven Prager for this very enjoyable ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

This field guide is an invaluable resource for both novice birders and seasoned travelers planning to explore the rich avian diversity of Arizona and New Mexico. As someone with a budding interest in birding, I found this guide to be exceptionally helpful in navigating the intricacies of each region’s unique habitats, rules, and etiquette.

One aspect I particularly appreciate is its thoroughness in providing essential information on gear, seasonal considerations, and birding etiquette, very helpful for beginners. From understanding the range and habitat of various species to learning about the laws governing proximity to nocturnal birds, this guide offers a wealth of tips and tricks to enhance the birding experience.

Moreover, the inclusion of trail etiquette and highlighted hot spots adds practicality to the guide, ensuring a rewarding and respectful birding adventure. Whether you’re embarking on your first birding expedition or planning a family trip to Arizona and New Mexico, this book is an indispensable companion that promises to enrich your birding journey.

Well laid out and thorough guide to birds and birding in Arizona and New Mexico. Extensive discussion of birding basics and local habitat. Explores the peculiar risks and unique pleasures of Southwestern birding. Lengthy discussions of birds in each listing. Uses photos, not drawings, and some species are under represented by photos. Some regional specialties, like elf owl, are excluded. Curiously, Yellow-Breasted Chat is placed with orioles. Nevertheless, the good more than outweighs the nits.

My ARC still has many stock photos watermarked as such. Also, the male wood duck is a Mandarin.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for a fair review.