Designed to be taken into the field, field guides help biologists and nature enthusiasts identify wildlife. Photographs and illustrations are usually labeled with key physical features to help identify species. Other details include information about habitat, similar species, and conservation status as well as diet and nesting (for animals) and fruit and uses (for plants). Range maps also help users hone in on the possible species occurring near their locations.
Sibley Birds West: Field Guide to Birds of Western North America
The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America is a compact yet comprehensive guide to 715 bird species west of the Rockies. It features over 5,000 detailed illustrations with field mark captions, updated species information (including behavior, nesting, and voice), and more than 650 expert-informed range maps showing seasonal and rare distributions.
Peterson Bield Guide to North American Bird Bests
The Peterson Field Guide to North American Bird Nests is an in-depth and practical guide to the nesting behaviors, designs, and habitats of North American birds. It combines detailed insights into nest types and breeding strategies, offering both a useful field tool and a deeper understanding of this vital part of bird life.
Insects of North America: A Field Guide to Over 300 Insects
This field guide features more than 300 commonly encountered and notable insect species across North America. It includes tips for distinguishing widespread species from rarer ones, making it a valuable resource for entomologists and insect enthusiasts alike.
Peterson Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians
This updated edition of the most comprehensive guide to reptiles and amphibians of western North America features Robert Stebbins’ detailed illustrations, 160 color photos, and updated range maps within species accounts. It includes current taxonomy and helpful visuals of eggs and larvae for identifying amphibians. The guide covers a broad region, from the western US and Canada to Baja California.
California Plants: A Guide to Our Iconic Flora
This field guide features over 500 plant species across California. With photographs, detailed descriptions, and natural history stories, this resource for outdoor enthusiasts includes helpful color ID charts for trees and wildflowers.
A Field Guide to Coastal Fishes: From Alaska to California
This fully illustrated guide showcases the rich diversity of fish along the US and Canadian west coasts, from Alaska to Southern California. Covering shallow waters to 200 meters deep, it features more than 950 detailed illustrations and descriptions of nearly 700 species across 157 families. Ideal for anglers, divers, and naturalists, it offers concise biological, range, and distribution info with text placed next to each illustration for easy reference.