Thanks to the Timber Press and Netgalley for this eARC.

As a book reviewer, I’ve had the pleasure of exploring a wide range of literary landscapes. When it comes to field guides, I’m always on the lookout for those that strike a balance between information and aesthetics. 🦜Birds of Arizona and New Mexico by Melissa Fratello and Steven Prager is precisely such a gem.

🌵 Exploring the Southwest Avian World

This comprehensive field guide is tailor-made for birders, hikers, and foragers who want to deepen their connection with the natural world. Whether you’re a seasoned ornithologist or a curious beginner, this book offers a delightful journey through the vibrant birdlife of Arizona and New Mexico.

📸 Visual Splendor

The first thing that captures your attention is the stunning photography. Over 800 spectacular photographs grace the pages, showcasing birds in their natural habitats. From the majestic raptors to the delicate songbirds, each image is a testament to the authors’ keen eye and dedication.

🗣️ Voices and Behaviors

Melissa Fratello and Steven Prager go beyond mere identification. They provide precise descriptions of voices and behaviors, allowing readers to recognize birds not only by sight but also by their distinctive calls and actions. It’s like having a personal conversation with each feathered friend.

🌎 Southwest Insights

What sets this guide apart is its commitment to inclusivity. The authors address unique issues, such as birding on tribal land and along the Southern Border. They speak to a new generation of birders, emphasizing accessibility and respect for indigenous knowledge.

🌟 Trail Etiquette and More

Beyond species accounts, the book covers practical aspects. Trail etiquette, safety precautions, and a deep respect for indigenous and private lands are woven seamlessly into the narrative. It’s not just about spotting birds; it’s about doing so with mindfulness and reverence.

🔍 Top Birding Sites

The guide highlights the top birding sites across the American Southwest. Whether you’re exploring urban areas, national parks, or wetlands, you’ll find useful information to enhance your birdwatching adventures.

🎉 Conclusion - a 5 star manual

Birds of Arizona and New Mexico is more than a guide; it’s an invitation to explore, appreciate, and protect our avian neighbors. So grab your binoculars, step into the sun-drenched landscapes, and let the melodic calls of sparrows, hawks, and warblers fill your senses. This book is a celebration of the wild and a reminder that every feathered creature has a story to tell.

This is a great reference book to take camping or hiking that includes about 500 species of birds that live or migrate through the Southwest. I am more partial to the raptors and Corvid species like the ravens that inhabit New Mexico than the sparrows and other smaller birds. They do a wonderful job of eating insects and reminds us how fragile the desert ecosystem system is.

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.

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.

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

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.