National Geographic Field Guide to Birds: California

This series of pocket-size bird field guides launches with titles for America's two most popular birding hotspots: California and Florida. The ultimate migration ground that draws birds from around the world. The books are designed for use by novices to experienced birders who want to take only the guide for the state or region they're visiting. Their handy trim is 4X6 and can easily fit in a backpack or pocket for easy access. Rather than alphabetically, the birds are featured by family, as supported by the American Ornithological Association. A quick reference alphabetical guide on the inside of the back cover lets you find a name quickly. Once you've spotted the bird and need to identify it quickly, the clean, straightforward layout makes it a snap. Each entry has a vivid photograph on the left page showing the bird in its habitat. On the right page is a list of bulleted points called field identification clues to confirm at a glance the bird's identity, including size, color, beak and wing shape, markings, song, flight pattern, habitat, and hotspots in which to find them. A special field fact at the bottom of each entry gives an additional highlight to look for in the bird's behavior. In selected cases, artwork will illustrate the field fact or introduce a relative of the featured bird. A full index with life list, as well as a quick-reference field index on the back inside cover put users on the track to lifelong birding.