Best North American Wildlife Field Guides: Recommended Books On The Wildlife Of North America

A selection of the best North American wildlife field guides. Ideal gifts for nature lovers young and old.

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General Wildlife Guides

North American Wildlife: An Illustrated Guide to 2,000 Plants and Animals

North American Wildlife Book Cover

A comprehensive guide to the incredibly diverse wildlife of North America. Includes animals (including birds) and plants. Although not as detailed as a field guide dedicated to a single group of animals (e.g. birds), and a little large for a field guide, this is an ideal family reference book.

From the publisher:

"North American Wildlife is a valuable reference guide to the most common and conspicuous wild plants and animals in North America.

Birds and butterflies, ferns and frogs, mushrooms and mantra rays, seashells and salamanders-this 576 page book includes more than 2,000 plants and animals of all types. Spanning the land from Florida to the Northwest Territories, it embraces field forest, pond, and prairie—all the natural communities that make our North American flora and fauna so splendidly diverse.

North American Wildlife is both a valuable at-home reference and an extraordinarily usable guide to the most common and conspicuous wild plants and animals of our continent. Specially planned for quick and easy identification, it far surpasses other guides in so many ways."

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Mammal Tracks & Sign: A Guide To North American Species

Mammal Tracks And Sign Cover

Being able to identify species from their tracks and other clues adds another dimension to your field skills. Either this book or the Peterson guide below will get you off to a good start.

From the publisher:

"The most comprehensive reference guide to mammal tracks and sign for North America. This new edition is more visual, with more than 1300 photos and 450 illustrations for easy comparison and identification of similar sign. Each species account includes information on tracks and trails, scat and urine, nests and lodges, as well as sign on the ground, in trees and shrubs, on fungi and on plants. Winner of the 2019 National Outdoor Book Award for Outdoor Classic Books."

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Peterson Field Guide to Animal Tracks

Peterson Field Guide to Animal Tracks

From the publisher:

"Roger Tory Peterson's unique identification system explains exactly what features to look for to tell one species from another. In each Peterson Field Guide, an author with expertise in the subject and an experienced artist work closely with the editors to ensure that both text and illustrations are accurate. This edition includes 100 color photographs of tracks and signs, more than 1,000 line drawings, and nomenclature for all the mammals of North America. The text includes descriptions of habits, habitats, tracks, signs, and ranges, and is filled with wonderful natural history stories. Olaus J. Murie, one of America's leading mammalogists, has completed fieldwork throughout the United States and Canada, from Labrador to the Aleutian Islands, with special concentration in the Northwest. He wrote The Elk of North America and many articles on natural history. Mark Elbroch is the author of several tracking guides,including two award-winning books, Mammal Tracks and Sign: A Guide to North American Species and, with Eleanor Marks, Bird Tracks and Sign: A Guide to North American Species. He has contributed to numerous North American research projects, from monitoring bears to capturing cougars to inventorying carnivores in dry tropical forests."

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Best North American Wildlife Field Guides: Birds

National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America

National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America cover

If you buy just one bird field guide (and many birders own a selection), our advice is to make it this one. It contains a staggering number of species, beautifully detailed illustrations, and first-class descriptions. A lot of work has been put into this guide, and it shows. It's almost a pocket guide, but probably better suited to a backpack.

From the publisher:

"This fully revised edition of the best-selling North American bird field guide is the most up-to-date guide on the market. Perfect for beginning to advanced birders, it is the only book organized to match the latest American Ornithological Society taxonomy.

With more than 2.75 million copies in print, this perennial bestseller is the most frequently updated of all North American bird field guides. Filled with hand-painted illustrations from top nature artists (including the ever-popular hummingbird), this latest edition is poised to become an instant must-have for every serious birder in the United States and Canada. The 7th edition includes 37 new species for a total of 1,023 species; 16 new pages allow for 250 fresh illustrations; 80 new maps; and 350 map revisions. With taxonomy revised to reflect the radical new American Ornithological Society taxonomy established in 2016, the addition of standardized banding codes, and text completely vetted by birding experts, this new edition will top of the list of birding field guides for years to come."

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Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America

Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America cover

The Peterson Field Guide is another popular field guide to North American birds. Compare screen shots of the Peterson / National Geographic guides at Amazon to decide which one is for you. It's unlikely you'll be disappointed with either.

From the publisher:

"A new edition of the best-selling field guide with 25 all-new plates covering the birds of Hawaii.

For decades, the Peterson Field Guide to Birds has been a popular and trusted guide for birders of all levels, thanks to its famous system of identification and unparalleled illustrations. Now that the American Birding Association has expanded its species Checklist to include Hawaii, the Peterson Guide is the first edition to include the wonderful and exotic species of our fiftieth state. In addition, the text and range maps have been updated, and much of the art has been touched up to reflect current knowledge."

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Best North American Wildlife Field Guides: Mammals

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammals

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammals Cover

From the publisher:

"The most comprehensive field guide available to North American mammals–a must-have for any enthusiast’s day pack or home library–from the go-to reference source for over 18 million nature lovers.

From a stop-action photograph of the amazing flying squirrel to Big Horn Sheep perched on a rock face, this guide puts the world of mammals in your hands. Illustrated with more than 300 full-color photographs, each species account includes information on physical characteristics, size, similar species, breeding, tracks and other signs, habitat, and range, as well as commentary on feeding, nesting, and other behaviors. Easy-to-read range maps, detailed anatomical illustrations of different mammals, track illustrations, and a state-by-state location guide make this the decisive authority on North American mammals."

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Peterson Field Guide to Mammals of North America

Peterson Field Guide to Mammals of North America Cover

From the publisher:

"Roger Tory Peterson's unique system shows exactly what features to look for to tell one species from another. Peterson Field Guides are designed to work in the field, and every illustration, every word, is directed to that end. For each Field Guide, an author with expertise in the subject and an experienced artist work closely with the editors to ensure that both text and illustrations are accurate. As the most comprehensive and in-depth guide to North American mammals, this book covers all the mammals found in North America north of Mexico, including those that live in near-shore waters. The only guide to include paintings and photographs of the animals as well as photographs of mammal skulls, it has 80 color plates, plus 46 additional color illustrations and black-and-white drawings, nearly 400 range maps, and more than 100 color photographs."

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Best North American Wildlife Field Guides: Reptiles & Amphians

National Geographic Pocket Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of North America

National Geographic Pocket Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of North America Cover

From the publisher:

"This basic beginner's field guide to our favorite animals that slither and swim is the latest in the growing National Geographic Pocket Guide series. Spot-on descriptive information and key facts about reptiles and amphibians are conveyed in a handy, colorful, easy-to-reference volume. More robust than any other beginning field guides, this book includes selected photography and newly commissioned art and graphics to illustrate and identify each species from every angle. With logical organization and bulleted information, this pocket guide is useful in the field or as in-home reference, for beginners, families, and new nature lovers alike."

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Best North American Wildlife Field Guides: Insects

National Audubon Society Field Guide to Insects and Spiders: North America

National Audubon Society Field Guide to Insects and Spiders Cover

From the publisher:

"The most comprehensive field guide available to the insects and spiders of North America–a must-have for any enthusiast’s day pack or home library–from the go-to reference source for over 18 million nature lovers.

Featuring a durable vinyl binding and over 700 full-color identification photographs organized visually by color and shape, the National Audubon Society Field Guide to Insects and Spiders is the perfect companion for any outdoor excursion. Descriptive text includes measurements, diagnostic details, and information on habitat, range, feeding habits, sounds or songs, flight period, web construction, life cycle, behaviors, folklore, and environmental impact. An illustrated key to the insect orders and detailed drawings of the parts of insects, spiders, and butterflies supplement this extensive coverage."

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A Swift Guide to Butterflies of North America

A Swift Guide to Butterflies of North America

From the publisher:

"This is a revised second edition of the most detailed, comprehensive, and user-friendly photographic field guide to the butterflies of North America. Written by Jeffrey Glassberg, the pioneering authority on the field identification of butterflies, the guide covers all known species, beautifully illustrating them with 3,500 large, gorgeous color photographs—the very best images available. This second edition includes more than 500 new photos and updated text, maps, and species names. For most species, there are photographs of topsides and undersides, males and females, and variants. All text is embedded in the photographs, allowing swift access in the field, and arrows point to field marks, showing you exactly what to look for. Detailed, same-page range maps include information about the number of broods in each area and where strays have been recorded. Color text boxes highlight information about habitat, caterpillar food plants, abundance and flight period, and other interesting facts. Also included are a quick visual index and a caterpillar food plant index. The result is an ideal field guide that will enable you to identify almost every butterfly you see.

  • A revised second edition of the most comprehensive photographic field guide to North American butterflies, featuring more than 500 new photos and updated text, maps, and species names
  • Written by the pioneering authority on the field identification of butterflies
  • Beautifully illustrated with 3,500 color photographs that show all known species, including views of topsides and undersides, males and females, and variants for most species
  • Authoritative text embedded in the photographs for swift access
  • Detailed range maps
  • Color text boxes that highlight information about habitat, food plants, abundance and flight period, and other interesting facts
  • An invaluable tool for field identification"

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Best North American Wildlife Field Guides: Plants

National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America

National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America

Identifying trees can be surprisingly difficult, so a good guide is essential.

From the publisher:

"From the National Wildlife Federation® comes the most up-to-date, all-photographic field guide to North American trees.

The Jeffrey Pine, Coconut Palm, Staghorn Sumac, and Western Hemlock: this single, portable volume features these, plus more than 700 other tree species and varieties, with special emphasis on their leaves, bark, fruits, and flowers. More than 2,000 stunning images show these trees in their natural habitats. Other features include: a unique identification tip for each tree; range maps showing distribution in North America; How to Identify a Tree section; a detailed glossary of tree parts and leaf, fruit, flower, and bark types; essays on ecology, conservation, and North America’s important forest types; plus a complex species and quick-flip indexes. The guide’s unique waterproof cover makes it especially valuable for use in the field."

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National Geographic Pocket Guide to Wildflowers of North America

National Geographic Pocket Guide to Wildflowers of North America Cover

Carry a pocket guide to wildflowers in your pack or pocket and your springtime hikes will be even more enjoyable. 

From the publisher:

"With this basic beginner's field guide to North American wildflowers, all who enjoy nature and the outdoors can identify common wildflowers, from backyard weeds to dainty forest blossoms. In a logical, user-friendly, highly visual format, this new title offers key facts about 160 of the most common wildflowers and weeds, coast to coast, including Canada and Alaska. To help with identification, each of the 160 entries has both a color photograph showing the plant in context and a color illustration showing the blossom close-up. This book is the perfect starting point for anyone, young or old, interested in learning how to identify wildflowers."

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National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers–Eastern / Western Regions

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers Covers

From the publisher:

Eastern Region:

"This fully revised edition brings a new level of beauty, accuracy, and usefulness to the field guide that wildflower enthusiasts have relied upon for more than 20 years.

More than 950 all-new, full-color images show the wildflowers of eastern North America close-up and in their natural habitats. The guide has been completely revised to make identification in the field easier than ever. Images are grouped by flower color and shape and keyed to clear, concise descriptions that reflect current taxonomy."

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Western Region:

"This fully revised edition brings a new level of beauty, accuracy, and usefulness to the field guide that wildflower enthusiasts have relied upon for more than 20 years.

More than 940 all-new, full-color images show the wildflowers of western North America close-up and in their natural habitats. The guide has been completely revised to make identification in the field easier than ever. Images are grouped by flower color and shape and keyed to clear, concise descriptions that reflect current taxonomy."

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