The identification of Empidonax flycatchers and pewees can be a daunting challenge for even the most seasoned birder. Field Guide to North American Flycatchers takes bird identification to an entirely new level by training readers to observe subtle differences in structure, color patterns, and vocalizations before delving into the finer details of a particular species. Because the plumages of flycatchers are so similar, this one-of-a-kind guide uses illustrations that highlight slight variances among species that photos often miss. One of the last frontiers of bird identification is now accessible to everyone—once one knows what to look for.
- Uses a holistic approach that makes flycatcher identification possible even for beginners
- Features a wealth of beautiful illustrations that depict every species in North America
- Shows how to observe subtle differences in structure, plumage contrasts, and vocalizations, which together create a distinctive overall impression of the bird
- Includes detailed audio spectrograms and seasonal distribution maps for each species
- Shares invaluable tips for successful identification in all kinds of field settings
- Its compact size and field-friendly layout make it the ideal travel companion for any birder
Combined with the second volume in the Field Guide to North American Flycatchers series, which focuses on kingbirds and Myiarchus flycatchers, these companion guides are the most comprehensive and accessible treatments of flycatcher identification to date.
Awards and Recognition
- An American Birding Association Best Bird Book of the Year
- A Birdbooker Report Best Bird Book of the Year
- A British Trust for Ornithology Best Bird Book of the Year
"An incredibly handy tool. . . . As an eBird reviewer I already know that I’ll be pulling this book off the shelf on a regular basis during migration."—Blaine Carnes, Association of Field Ornithologists
"[Field Guide to North American Flycatchers] is exactly the sort of detailed guide to empids and pewees that I’ve been hoping for since…well, basically since I started birding. Simply put, every North American birder should have this."—Grant McCreary, The Birder's Library
"A book well worth owning for both its excellence of content and uniqueness. . . . [It is] light and portable, and, with minimal technical language, geared to birders of every level."—Donna Lynn Schulman, 10,000 Birds
"This book is amazing, this book is fantastic. It offers so much insight into the world of flycatchers. . . . It offers a lot on how to challenge our perception of things, how to look at things in a different way. . . . The artwork is awesome, the details are awesome."—Byron Murray, To Know the Land
"A MUST have for anyone birding North America!"—Ian Paulsen, The Birdbooker Report
"A unique and excellent field guide, and one very well worth having if you are interested in trying to improve your identification skills when it relates to the often-challenging identification of these commonly encountered flycatcher species. . . . . Cin-Ty Lee and Andrew Birch should be congratulated on producing such a well-designed, comprehensive, and beautifully illustrated guide that will surely aid many users, beginners and experts alike."—Frank Lambert, Frank Lambert Birding
"The illustrations are magnificent. . . . I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to everyone who has ever or will ever struggle with flycatcher identification – it is a great addition to the specialized books out there."—Geoff Carpentier, North Durham Nature
"Holding your hand through the entire process, the guide makes it possible to identify almost any empid and pewee that might cross your path"—David Callahan, Birdwatch Magazine
"An important step forward in the available identification material for this group of species. . . . Even experienced birders from within the ranges of these species will likely learn from this book"—Ben Lucking, British Birds
"Empidonax flycatchers . . . have needed a book like this for a long time, and I'm just really glad that when it does finally come along that it is done as well as it is."—Nate Swick, American Birding Association
"[H]andsomely produced. . . . Andrew Birch’s drawings, here and throughout the book, are attractive and meticulous."—Rick Wright, The Broadwing
"[Field Guide to North American Flycatchers] effectively provides many detailed illustrations, charts, and temporal-occurrence graphs—as well as a host of excellent information to distinguish between species . . . This guide is a must-have for birders wanting to improve their field-identification skills."—Tony Leukering, Birding
