Resources for Birders

Web Sites & Mobile Apps

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. A multifaceted resource on birds and birding by one of the world’s premier ornithological institutions.
Merlin Bird ID. Brought to us by the Cornell Lab, a MUST HAVE app for free, instant identification of 400 North American birds.
eBird. An on-line bird sighting management system that lets you record birds you see, keep track of your bird lists, explore dynamic maps and graphs,and share your sightings with other members of the eBird community.
Getting Kids Interested in Bird Watching. All the resources and links for getting kids going, from binoculars to apps to bird feeders.
Massbird.org – Bird sightings and hotspots, birding clubs, places to visit and more.
Massachusetts Audubon Birding. Mass Audubon is the oldest Audubon Society in the nation and provides a wealth of information on birds and birding.
Making Birdhouses with Household Materials. Creative uses of unused items.
Mike Danzenbaker’s Bird Photography – Extensive exhibit of beautiful bird photographs.

A Field Guide to the Birds East of the Rockies by Roger Tory Peterson – Provides precise drawings that no photograph can do justice to, and the size is perfect for carrying in the field.
National Geographic Guide to Birds of North America, 4th edition by the National Geographic Society – Excellent illustrations and it covers all of the United States.

Sibley’s Birding Basics. A short (150-page) introduction to bird physiology and behavior. A good resource to start learning about birds in general.
Birds of Eastern North America (Helm Field Guides) by David Allen Sibley – A great field guide in a format small enough for easy use in the field. If you buy only one guide, this is a good one to choose.
Sibley’s Guide to Birds by David Allen Sibley – A excellent and complete reference but large for carrying into the field
The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior by David Allen Sibley. Detailed articles on behavior of various bird genera and family groupings by David Sibley and other experts.
Stokes Guide to Bird Behavior, Vol. 1,2,& 3 by Donald W. and Lillian Q. Stokes – Excellent text and illustrations.
A Photographic Guide to North American Raptors by Brian Wheeler and Bill Clark – It has great photographs of hawks in different plumages which is very helpful