Birds of Texas: A Field Guide (The W.L. Moody, Jr., Natural History, No 14)

Rating:
Summary: very poor at best
Review: Great for easy identification of birds. Contains some beautiful pictures and helpful information on habitats. Paperback edition is convenient for birding walks and drives. Really fueled my interest in birdwatching.

Rating:
Summary: Extremely helpful for beginners
Review: Great for easy identification of birds. Contains some beautiful pictures and helpful information on habitats. Paperback edition is convenient for birding walks and drives. Really fueled my interest in birdwatching.

Rating:
Summary: very poor at best
Review: Rappole and Blacklock's book is a very poor choice for a book covering Texas birds. The range maps are generally inaccurate and horrible for many species. The descriptive part of the text is fine for what it is, but Texas and range sections are full of misinformation. There are many very nice photos in the back of the book, but with only one per species it makes the book useless as a field guide. Many species are depicted in plumages that are rarely seen in Texas (e.g. (Oldsquaw in breeding plumage). There are a number of birds included in the book that have never been documented in the state (e.g. Bristle-thighed Curlew, Great Knot, Blue Ground-Dove, Smooth-billed Ani). There are also a few mis-identified photographs (e.g. Double-crested Cormorant, Couch's Kingbird). There are other better choices that cover Texas (although most of those books cover all of North America).

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic guide for traveling
Review: This book was given to me as a gift. Ihave loaned it to several friends to take with them on their travels and all have said what an exceptional book this was. The photos were great and the descriptions right on the mark. I would highly recommend this book to all those that seek the perfect guide.

Rating:
Summary: Almost useless
Review: This is useless as a field guide. Too big to be carried comfortably during a field walk. To bunch all photos at the end and to have just scores of descriptions in the front, with area ranges is not helpful for a quick guide in the field. Look elsewhere for better materials.