A New Pennsylvania Field Guide Review

The new National Geographic Field Guide to Birds : Pennsylvania (272 pages, published in 2006, $14.95) is a compact guide to more than 125 of Pennsylvania's easiest to see birds. It includes large photographs of all featured species plus some smaller illustrations of similar species, different plumages or morphs, or the opposite sex. Identification information and range maps are on the page opposite the photographs, making it very east to use. Jonathan Alderfer is the editor. Pittsburgh's own Paul Hess is the expert who provided the map information and much of the text.

Although limited in scope, the guide often includes more data on a given species than a standard field guide. This extra information is frequently found in the "Behavior" or "Field Notes" sections. Thus we learn that the Brown Creeper may press its body against the trunk of a tree when a predator is near, becoming almost invisible. Or that Bank Swallows beat their wings faster than Northern Rough-winged Swallows near their nesting tunnels. Or that a Veery may fly more than 160 miles in one night. The "Local Sites" section is another aspect of the guide not usually found in standard guides.

The National Geographic Field Guide to Birds : Pennsylvania would be an excellent guide for beginners as well as for more experienced observers who are interested in learning additional facts about behavior. Even though I have many other field guides, the extra information in this one has made it a welcome addition to my library.

Evelyn Fowles