Books

There are many excellent books available for reference and identification of plants and animals.  The following is a list, in no particular order, of books we have found useful to help identify various species and for general information.  These books and many others may generally be found at your local bookstores or online.  Also, if you have some idea what you are looking for, you always have a Google Image search available to you.

 

Birds:

National Audubon Society The Sibley Guide to Birds.  By David Allen Sibley. Published by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.,  New York.  Copyright 2000.
     This is an excellent guide book to bird identification in North America.  Over 6,600 beautifully detailed illustrations assist in identification of 810 species.  Included are subspecies and geographic variations , measurements and weights, and maps showing distribution, summer and winter ranges, migration routes and rare occurrences.  The Sibley Guide to Birds is a book that both novice and experienced birders will appreciate and find extremely useful.  A more compact, field guide size, version of this book is also available.

             

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National Audubon Society The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior.  By David Allen Sibley.  Published by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York. Copyright 2002.
        This book enriches the birding experience by taking us beyond identification and showing us how birds live and what they do.  A wealth of subjects are covered including habitats, foods, molts, displays, rearing of young, migration and movements, nests and eggs, anatomy and much more.  This book gives us the rest of the story.

             

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National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America.  Edited by Jon L. Dunn and Jonathan Alderfer.  Published by National Geographic, Washington, D.C.   Fifth edition.
     A beautifully illustrated field guide with well laid out pages, range maps and thumb tabs for easy access.

             

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Sparrows of the United States and Canada-The Photographic Guide.  By David Beadle and James Rising.  Published by Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.  Copyright 2002.
       A fine photographic guide to the identification of sparrows, towhees, juncos, buntings and longspurs, grassquits, and one seedeater as well as information on their distribution, habits, habits, molt and voice.

             

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Stokes Field Guide to Warblers.  By Donald & Lillian Stokes.  Published by Little, Brown and Company, Boston, New York, London.  Copyright 2004.
       An easy to use guide to North American warbler identification with full-color photographs, range maps, behavior, habitat information and more. 

             

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Shorebirds of North America-The Photographic Guide.   By Dennis Paulson.  Published by Princeton University Press, Princeton,  New Jersey.   Copyright 2005.
        A complete guide to North and Central American shorebirds with over 53o photographs illustrating all shorebird species in their varied plumage,
and accompanied by text that points out the variation within common species.  Also includes identification tips, as well as brief descriptions of voice, behavior, habitat and range for each species.

             

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The Shorebird Guide.  By Michael O'Brien, Richard Crossley, and Kevin Karlson.  Published by Houghton Mifflin Company,  New York, New York.  Copyright 2006.
       Another fine shorebird identification book with over 870 superb photographs that make identification of this sometimes difficult group easier and quicker.  Among the items covered are present status, taxonomy, behavior, migration, molt and vocalizations.

             

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A Photographic Guide to North American Raptors.  By Brian K. Wheeler and William S. Clark.  Published by Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.  Copyright 1995.
       A stunningly illustrated guide book with 377 color photographs to aid in identifying this often confusing group of hawks, eagles, vultures, and other daylight birds of prey.

             

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Raptors of Eastern North America.  By Brian K. Wheeler.  Published by Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.  Copyright 2003.
        An excellent guide to the identification of hawks, eagles, and falcons with hundreds of full-color, high quality photographs and detailed species distribution maps.  The authoritative text covers all aspects of raptor biology and provides exhaustive coverage of adult, sub adult, and juvenile traits.

             

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Hawks From Every Angle.  By Jerry Liguori.  Published by Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.  Copyright 2005.
          A valuable photographic guide with 339 striking color and 32 black and white photos that help in the identification of hawks in flight.  All aspects of raptor identification, including plumage, shape and flight style traits are discussed. 

             

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Advanced Birding.  By Kenn Kaufman.  A Peterson Field Guide published by Houghton Mifflin Co., New York, New York.  Copyright 1990.
         This handy field guide, beautifully illustrated and clearly written,  covers thirty-five of the most difficult groups of birds.  It includes discussions of such challenging North American bird identification problems presented by the dark ibises, Scaup, gulls, terns, various shorebirds, hawks, hummingbirds, vireos, warblers and many more.

             

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Eastern Bird's Nests.  By Hal H. Harrison.  A Peterson Field Guide published by Houghton Mifflin Co., New York, New York.  Copyright 1975.
          A very useful guide that includes the nests and eggs of 285 species found in the 26 states east of the Mississippi River.  Includes description of breeding range and times of nesting as well as preferred habitat.

             

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Audubon North American Bird Feeder Guide.  By Robert Burton and Stephen W. Kress.  Published by DK Publishing, Inc.,  London, New York, Munich, Melbourne, and Delhi.  Copyright 2005.
         A wonderful guide to attracting and observing backyard birds.  Over 600 color photographs supplement discussions of such subjects as bird feeders, foods  and baths, nest boxes, desirable plants, bird observation, bird behavior and much more. 

                    

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Why Don't Woodpeckers Get Headaches?  By Mike O'Connor.  Published by Beacon Press, Boston, Mass.  Copyright 2007.
          A fun book that answers many of the questions you know you want answered.

             

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The Crossley ID Guide--Eastern Birds.  By Richard Crossley.  Published by Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.  Copyright 2011.

A stunningly illustrated book featuring large, lifelike scenes for each species.  These scenes-640 in all- show birds in a wide range of views, in various plumages and behaviors, including flight, how a bird's appearance changes with distance, and the habitat in which they live.  Each scene is a work of art making identification, more accurate, and more fun than ever before. 

                    

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Field Guide to Birds--Eastern Region.  By Donald and Lillian Stokes.  Published by Little, Brown and Company, Boston, New York, London.  Copyright 1996.

A good basic field guide to eastern birds.  Excellent for those just getting into birding.  Plus, this book has valuable information on feeding habits, nesting, number of eggs, incubation times and time to flight which is missing in many other bird books.

             

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The Bird Watching Answer Book.  By Laura Erickson.  Published by Storey Publishing, MA.  Copyright 2009 by Cornell University.

A fun little question and answer book that addresses all sorts of questions that bird watchers would like answered.

                     

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Dragonflies and Damselflies:

  Dragonflies & Damselflies of Georgia and the Southeast.  By Giff Beaton.  Published by The University of Georgia Press, Athens, Georgia.  Copyright 2007.
         A beautiful reference book with stunning photos and readable text that allow quick identification of over 150 species. Text includes features for field identification, behavior of the species, habitat, breeding and feeding habits.

              

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Butterflies/Caterpillars/Moths:

 Field Guide to Butterflies of North America.  By Jim P. Brock and Kenn Kaufman.  Published by Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, New York.  Copyright 2003.
           An indispensable book for anyone interesting in identifying butterflies.  This user-friendly field guide is handy and compact and is chock-full of over 2300 images of butterflies in natural poses.  Range maps, similar species and larval food plants are included.

                      

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The Life Cycles of Butterflies.  By Judy Burris & Wayne Richards.  Published by Storey Publishing, Maine.  Copyright 2006.
          This is a visual guide, from egg to maturity, of 23 common garden butterflies.  An excellent resource for photos of the complete life cycle of butterflies.

              

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Caterpillars in the Field and Garden.  By Thomas J. Allen, Jim P. Brock, Jeffrey Glassberg.  Published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York.  Copyright 2005.
           A field guide to the butterfly caterpillars of North America.  Includes over 900 color photographs of caterpillars, full accounts of how to identify it, range maps and information on habitat, foods, behavior and more.

              

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Caterpillars of Eastern North America.  By David L. Wagner.  Published by Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey, Copyright 2005.
          A lavishly illustrated guide to the identification of the caterpillars of nearly 700 butterflies and moths found east of the Mississippi.  Includes 1200 color photos, full page species accounts with images of adult insects, and notes on distribution, biology and taxonomy.

              

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Butterflies through Binoculars-The East.  By Jeffrey Glassberg.  Published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York.  Copyright 1999.

A wonderful butterfly ID guide with 625 photographs and color range maps as well as abundance, habitat info, food plants, identification, similar species and more.

                     

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Peterson Field guide to Moths of Northeastern North America.  By David Beadle and Seabrooke Leekie.  Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, New York, New York.  Copyright 2012.

A valuable field guide for those interested in moths.  Provides range maps, season graphs and tips on moth identification using clear charts and photographs.

               

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Other Insects:

 Field Guide to Grasshoppers, Katydids, and Crickets of the United States.  By John L. Capinera, Ralph D. Scott, and Thomas J. Walker.  Published by Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York.  Copyright 2004.
            A definitive guide to the identification of grasshoppers, crickets and their allies portraying the insects in full color.  Includes range map, species accounts  and habits of this diverse group.

                     

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Garden Insects of North America.  The Ultimate Guide to Backyard Bugs.  By Whitney Cranshaw.  Published by Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.  Copyright 2004.
         A large reference book with 1420 color photos describing the vast majority of insect species associated with the backyard.  Includes methods of controlling insect populations, clear, concise text and answers to just about any conceivable question regarding insects in the garden.

               

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Field Guide to Insects of North America.  By Eric R. Eaton & Kenn Kaufman.  Published by Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, New York.  Copyright 2007.
          A very handy-sized field guide with over 2350 images representing every major group of insects found in North America north of Mexico.  A wealth of information on insects behaviors and life histories.

               

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National Wildlife Federation Field guide to Insects and Spiders of North America.  By Arthur V. Evans.  Published by Sterling Publishing Company, New York, New York.  Copyright 2007.
          A very useful field guide with over 940 insects, spiders and related species including centipedes, scorpions and pillbugs.  Includes 1600 beautiful color photographs, range, habitat and behavior information and tips for finding and studying insects, spiders , and their kin.

               

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Plants:

 Forest Plants of the Southeast and their Wildlife Uses.  By James H. Miller & Karl V. Miller.  Published by The University of Georgia Press, Athens, Georgia.  Copyright 2005.
           A must-have guide to the common and unique flora of Southeast forests, with emphasis on its role in wildlife sustenance.  Includes 330 species of forbs, grasses, sedges and rushes, woody vines, shrubs, ferns and more as well as 650 close-up color photos showing each plant's distinctive features.

                      

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Weeds of the South.  Edited by Charles T. Bryson and Michael S. Defelice.  Published by The University of Georgia Press,  Athens, Georgia.  Copyright 2009.
           A beautifully compiled reference book with over 1500 color photographs providing essential information on 400 of the most troublesome weedy and invasive plants found in the southern United States.  Includes distribution maps, vegetative characteristics for seedlings and leaves and special identifying features, reproductive characteristics, and toxic properties.

               

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A Manual of Aquatic Plants.  By Norman C. Fassett.  Published by The University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, Wisconsin.  Copyright 1957.

This is a rather technical identification book that uses keys to determine a species identity.  It covers a large number of aquatic plants and has many fine illustrations to help find a species.  This book is probably not the best choice for beginners but for those with some biological background or for those seriously interested in aquatic plants it is excellent.

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Wildflowers of the Southeastern United States.  By Wilbur H. Duncan and Leonard E. Foote.  Published by The University of Georgia Press, Athens, Georgia.  Copyright 1975.

Contains nearly 500 color photographs and descriptions identifying some 1,100 species of wildflowers.  An old book but still useful.

               

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Trees of the Southeastern United States.  By Wilbur H. Duncan and Marion B. Duncan.  Published by The University of Georgia Press, Athens, Georgia.  Copyright 1988.

An excellent tree ID book with easy-to-use identifying keys clear photographs, maps  and more.

               

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Reptiles & Amphibians:

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles & Amphibians.  By John L. Behlar and F. Wayne King.  A Borzoi Book published by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.  Copyright 1979, 1997 by Chanticleer Press, Inc. New York.

A fine field guide to the "Herps" of North America.  Contains 657 excellent photos as well as descriptions, maps, subspecies, voice, habitat,  breeding and behavior.

                         

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The Frogs and Toads of North America.  By Lang Elliott, Carl Gerhardt and Carlos Davidson.  Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company, New York, New York.  Copyright 2009.

This is a beautiful and comprehensive guide to 101 species found in the United States and Canada.  The photos are simply superb.  Packed with information about range, distribution, voice, behavior and natural history, it also includes tips on finding, observing and identifying frogs and toads.  An audio CD identifies and presents the actual calls of nearly every species.

                

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Other Books of Interest:

The Nature Handbook-a guide to observing the great outdoors.  By Ernest H. Williams, Jr.  Published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York.  Copyright 2005

A fascinating book that explores the patterns and relationships in nature rather than individual species.  This book with some 500 color photographs is chock full of interesting and surprising explanations of phenomena observed in the natural world.

                

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National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Southeastern States.  By Peter Alden, Gil Nelson et al.  A Borzoi Book published by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.  Copyright 1999 by Chanticleer Press, Inc. New York.

A wonderful field guide that touches many  subjects including habitats, clouds, weather systems, the solar system, the night sky as well as an amazing variety of plants and animals.  If you had to choose just one book for identification that had the greatest number of different organisms you would do well to choose this one.   It doesn't delve deeply into any one thing but it does have more variety than any other book on this page.

                

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