National Geographic Field Guide to Birds: Colorado

Designed to fit in a backpack or pocket for easy access, each of these handy and popular bird field guides comprises 272 pages and features about 175 birds organized by family as approved by the American Ornithological Union. Standard features include:

Locator Map at the front listing regional birding hotspots;
Introduction by an expert on where to find the state's top birds
How-To-Use Section with general tips on birding and advice on making the most of the guide;
125 Easy-Access Individual Entries providing a photograph of the bird in its habitat, recognition clues, specific details on behavior, habitat, and local sites, plus a special "Field Note" with artwork for extra help in tricky identifications;
Alphabetical Index with life list; and
Color-coded Index.

Colorado is a unique birding spot, with mountain terrain and flatlands, each with its own characteristic mix of birds. Noted species include the grouselike White Ptarmigan; the incomparable Golden Eagle; the American Dipper; the Eared Grebe, and the chestnut-colored Longspur.

Jonathan Alderfer is a respected field ornithologist and one of North America's top birding artists. He is associate editor of the American Birding Association magazine, editor of the upcoming National Geographic Complete Birds of North America, and will be chief consultant for the next edition of the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America. He lives in Washington, D.C.