Iowa Birds. Ann Johnson, Jim Bangma & Gregory Kennedy.
2005. Lone Pine Publishing.
This is the book for which I have waited for years, as it is great for real
beginners, feeder watchers and youngsters. It is not overwhelming like the big
books, but is good.
The first author is an Iowan who lives and birds in Iowa most of the year.
There are sections on 145 birds describing: ID details, Size, Status, Habitat, Nesting, Feeding, Voice, Similar Species and Best Sites. This is in addition to a large introduction to each species. This book probably has the best species section of all 3 introductory books.
The illustrations are large glorious paintings by Kennedy showing both sexes, breeding and non breeding if needed. I know many newcomers gravitate to photos, thinking that somehow they better represent ‘reality’, but these are quite nice and the fact that representative plumages are shown is very useful.
It has a complete checklist, important because it lets people know what birds to expect to see in Iowa.
The book lists 50 places without comment, a far better selection of birding sites than Iowa Bird Watching, but I would prefer a paragraph about each site. This book could do with more references that would point people to places where additional information could be found. This is perhaps the only place where Iowa Bird Watching is stronger than this book.
I know the first author, but am sure this has no influence on my opinion of this book.
--Rick Hollis--