Rating: 
Summary: New Standard for Bird Field Guides
Review: David Sibley has written an excellent field guide. This book surpasses National Geographic's "Field Guide to Birds of North America" and the Peterson's Series of Bird Guides. It includes a greater number of illustrations and portrays more of the various ages of the birds. One has to appreciate the flight views of the many birds.The colors of the illustrations are excellent. This corrects one compliant of the 3rd edition of National Geographic Field Guide. Advanced and beginning birders will benefit from the examples. The range maps have been adjusted in several cases. Sibley has taken great care in producing the most up-to-date field guide. The accompanying text is very informative. It is packed with information about each species. Sibley "Guide to Birds" definitely shows that years were taken to produce this comprehensive reference. If there is a downside, this book is heavy. Many pages were required to incorporate all the interesting and informative information contained in this fabulous book! Sibley has set a new standard in Bird Field Guides. It will be years before this book is surpassed. Sibley's "Guide to Birds" is a must book for any birders library.
Rating: 
Summary: The bible for all serious birders
Review: This is the most complete book on identifying birds by sight and sound that exists. Regional and age-based plumage variations are all illustrated, as are hybrids. Important features are highlighted, flight patterns are shown. The birds are illustrated both perching and in flight. Every detail is perfect. My only criticism is that it's completely lacking in behavioral information. And the book is too large for convenient use in the field. I could not live without this book.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Identification Guide for Eastern North America
Review: A very, very good book of truly great assistance in identifying difficult birds such as Bicknell's Thrush and in distinguishing others such as Eastern and Western Meadowlarks. This said, it is a trifle heavy though I still carry it always in my shoulder bag. I would suggest that in the next edition the headers announcing the various regional plumages be more pronounced, that is they should stand out more. This would make the book even more useful.
Rating:
Summary: A terrific identification guide!
Review: I've been a birder for many years and began a life list around five years ago. I own many of the standard field guides. Only recently did I obtain the Sibley Guide, but it's become my favorite. I generally use Sibley and Stokes in tandem. Advantages:
1. Logical layout
2. "Species accounts" pages offer an excellent comparative view within the group, as well as a good all-up overview of the families/genus/species, and general behavior.
3. Individual species pages show comprehensive plumage reference art; more detailed than any I've seen. For this feature alone, the guide is worthwhile!
4. Species pages show variants (e.g., Great Blue/Great White Heron), fledgling and/or juvenile patterns. In some cases art of eclipse plumage is a very nice bonus.
5. Flight/wing patterns where relevant
6. Comparison of hummingbird mating display paths
7. Diurnal raptors section shows perched vs. in-flight underside plumage for each species. It also offers silhouette guides to help teach wing shape if plumage is light-obscured.
8. Good geographical reference map (though smaller than ideal*)
9. Good vocal descriptions
10. Nice (what they refer to as) "bird topography" section
11. Where applicable, good information on regional variations and species clines. Disadvantages:
1. This is not a pocket guide; it's cumbersome. I use Stokes in the field, and use Sibley at home for reference afterward.
2. The binding on my copy isn't sturdy, particularly for something that's supposedly a field guide. I feel like I must treat the glue binding gingerly or the pages might start to fall out.
3. Not enough text re: birding ethics & conservation (but that might just be my inner tree-hugger appearing) :)
4. *Geographical range map is small. I imagine it'd be difficult for some people to see clearly.
5. Migratory geographical information only covers North America. I'd like reference for migratory species (even just within text) of migration route start/finish and total annual distance. (Aside: the artic tern has the longest distance migration [Arctic to Antarctic] and can cover 22k - 30k mpy.) Overall, this a great reference, and I recommend it highly. However, to Knopf publishers/Chanticleer Press: Please ask Dai Nippon Printing Co to use better binding glue in the next edition!
Rating:
Summary: Peterson started it....Sibley perfected it
Review: I've owned the Sibley since it's release and I've just about worn the poor book to nothing. This book, his life's work, holds a detail in it's paintings that is simply unsurpassed. The National Geographic was the guide of choice for many years, but now this is certainly tops. If you are a birder, you must own this, don't worry about the size or settle for the newer Eastern or Western mini-versions....Cowboy up and carry it in a pack or guide cover!
Rating:
Summary: good for any age
Review: My nephews (both 6) enjoy looking out the window at all the birds in the feeder. The clear information helps us identify birds together. Great pictures and good information. The only thing lacking is info on diet.
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