Note: except where stated otherwise, reviews and opinions are my own.
Why offend with style when you can offend with substance!
Southeast Arizona Birdfinding Guides
Last review published: September 2007. See bottom of review for
changes in TAS guide between edition 6 and 7.
Listed below are my ratings for each book, some general comments about content and presentation, and a comparison of the major sections of each book. By all means do your homework before making a purchase. However, all serious local birders should plan on owning both books and I recommend the same to visiting birders. A small investment in the grand scheme of things.
Both books have undergone many changes over the years (major and minor). The current TAS guide is now at the seventh edition whereas the ABA guide doesn't state an edition number at all (although a convoluted history of updates, revisions and reprints is mentioned). Consequently, I've dropped all attempts to keep track of this stuff in my text.
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A Birder's Guide to Southeast Arizona, Rick Taylor. Published by American Birding Association (ABA). This edition was released in March 2005; 373 pages. order on line from ABA
Note: The black and white photos are too dark to be useful (may only be my copy) . |
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Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona, multiple authors. Published by Tucson Audubon Society (TAS). This edition was released in August 2007; 350 pages. order on line from TAS
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General Comments about both books
Over the years, both books have come a long way in terms of content and
presentation and there isn't a major difference in usefulness between them as in
the past. Generally, I think the TAS guide is more useful for local
birders because of the wider coverage and more extensive species accounts, whereas the ABA guide is better for visiting
birders because of the more detailed birdfinding section.
With the release of the March 2005 edition, the ABA guide has changed from "Wire-O" binding to a fully bound book. This was a commercial decision by ABA and while they may have created more sales opportunities and longer lasting books, I think they are doing a great disservice to readers (i.e. birders) with the change. The inability to lay the book flat and be able to read it easily in the field (hell, even on a flat table) is a major step backwards. [If you think this book is difficult to handle, just wait until you get the Washington State guide that is almost twice as thick.] This problem is greatly exacerbated when it comes to viewing the bar graphs (see comparison chart). I can see it now, a birder in his/her hotel room lying on the bed trying to plan for the next day. Oh, the cursing!
Both guides cover similar material but there are enough differences such that owning both is definitely not redundant. Either book will enhance your birding in Southeast Arizona and should be considered indispensable. As with all books of this type, both contain their share of errors and incomplete, obsolete or misleading information. The TAS book is most up to date since it was published more than two years after ABA. If you are an out of state birder and can only purchase one, I would still have to recommend that you get the ABA book. Although it covers fewer areas, it has better birdfinding information for the main locations in southeast Arizona and this, after all, is a birdfinding guide's raison d'etre. Also, the ABA guide has a well balanced approach to providing locations where birds can be found (the TAS guide is biased towards areas near Tucson and lacks depth in the outlying areas). The TAS guide employs a shameless marketing ploy by displaying the Kenn Kaufman name in large letters on the front cover (he wrote the foreword).
Every active local birder should own both books. If possible, visiting birders should also purchase both books -- a small investment compared to the overall cost of your trip to AZ. Since you are almost certain to return, owning both is really a no-brainer.
Head to Head
The following chart briefly
compares the major sections of each book. Although page size is the same in both
books (8.5 x 5.5 inches), text character size is not the same and rough
measurement indicates that a line of ABA text averages 15% more characters
than TAS. White space is about the same in
both books (a definite improvement in the ABA book which was previously poor in
this regard). Since the ABA book has more pages (373 versus 350) and smaller text,
the book obviously has more content.
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Finding Birds in SE AZ (TAS) 350 pages |
A Birder's Guide to SE AZ (ABA) 373 pages |
| Introduction 25 pages. Topics include a birding calendar, planning your trip, suggested itineraries, visiting Mexico, tips for safe birding, birding behavior, list of local resources, and topography, climate and habitats. |
Introduction 17 pages. Topics include geography, life zones, weather, when to come, what to wear, what to bring, where to stay, list of resources and publications, reporting rare birds, attracting birds, birding behavior, how to use this book and nomenclature changes |
| Birdfinding section 190 pages. Divided into 12 areas each describing several locations. Directions are from a nearby reference point. Almost all the places mentioned in the ABA book are covered plus sections covering the Pinaleņo Mountains, Organ Pipe Nat. Monument and Puerto Peņasco in Sonora, Mex. Birdfinding information is a little spotty -- many areas are covered well, but a good number of areas are poorly described in terms of what species are present and how to find them. Updates since the book was published can be found on the TAS website. |
Birdfinding section 211 pages. Divided into 9 chapters each describing loop tours of several locations and a 10th chapter describing 15 other locations in less detail. Coverage is strictly SE AZ but the Pinaleņo Mountains are omitted. Birdfinding information is generally more detailed than the TAS book and is consistent throughout the loop tours. Has roughly 11% more pages than the TAS birdfinding section with tighter text. Even with the unnecessary inclusion of trivia and historical stuff, it doesn't take a rocket surgeon to realize this means more birdfinding info. |
| Species Accounts: 72 pages (incl. graphs). References 493 species. Accounts are concise but useful; information for those species that occur infrequently consists only of dates and sighting locations (in bar graphs for ABA). |
Species Accounts: 52 pages. References 246 "specialty" species. Accounts are more wordy than TAS and sometimes offer more locations to find a bird than TAS. |
| Bar Graphs: References 492 species. Bar graphs are "my thing" and to my mind the TAS guide is far superior in presentation. I realize that this is subjective (although I can't see anyone not liking it), I much prefer the integrated layout of accounts on the left hand pages and the corresponding bar graphs on the right hand pages. A major difference from ABA occurs when only a few records exist. The graph only shows one dot corresponding to the first sighting date, regardless of how long the bird stayed. In terms of information provided, both books are about the same differing only in presentation. There are some glaring errors in both books. For example, TAS shows the same abundance for Virginia Rail all year which is obviously incorrect. In general, I think the abundance levels are on the money for the vast majority of species, perhaps tending towards slightly conservative for some species. |
Bar Graphs: 65 pages. References 508 species (why bother with Blue Grouse? because it's a numbers game). Starts with a description of habitat categories that are later referenced to the left of the bar graph. This feature was introduced in the previous edition and has no real utility given how "not see at a glance it is". Some may like having the data to hand but is it worth the disadvantage of having to rotate the book 90 degrees? I very much dislike having to do this and it's really irritating now that the book is bound and cannot be laid flat. ABA please take note! I talked to them about it but I don't foresee any changes. I have a spiral binding machine so I dismantled the book without damaging it and rebound it. Sighting dates and locations are given for infrequently occurring birds (in species accounts in TAS). A major difference from TAS occurs when only a few records exist. Graph shows dots corresponding to the entire period that the bird stayed. In general, I think the abundance levels for a fair number of species are too optimistic |
 Be
careful interpreting abundance conveyed by the bar graphs. The abundance
assigned to the thickness of the lines in each book is not the same. To
further confuse the issue, the meaning of assignments in the ABA book has
changed since the last edition. The ABA book also uses solid lines to
represent casual species. This will confuse many. Unheard of and very uncool.
Both books have to compromise because of an insufficient range of abundance
levels. In addition to the casual and accidental categories, TAS uses rare, uncommon, common and abundant; ABA uses rare,
uncommon, fairly common and common. |
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| References, etc.: 45 pages. Contains a list of bird references & checklists, field guides and id. articles, hiking guides and AZ natural history birds, web sites, tourist offices, information sources and accommodations (this info is in other parts of the ABA book); a list of mammals, a brief overview (with lists) of amphibians and reptiles, two pages about Butterflies (no species list), a 15 page index, 4 pages of blurb about Tucson Audubon Society and a southeast AZ map marked with the 12 areas that are described in the birdfinding text. |
References, etc.: 29 pages. Contains a list of amphibians, reptiles and mammals; 3 duplicate tear-out trail maps, 4 pages of ABA blurb, a blank Arizona Bird Report form, 3 pages of references, a 7 page index, a useful mileage chart and a southeast AZ map. |
Changes in TAS guide between edition 6 and 7.
Edition 7 has 25 more pages than edition 6 (20 in the birdfinding
section and 5 in the reference section (2 extra index pages) as well as some
cosmetic improvements such as bolded headings in places that previously didn't
have them (making it easier to see individual locations within chapters when
skimming).
Pages have been added to 10 of the 12 birdfinding areas (the chapters on Graham & Northern Cochise Counties and Willcox/Sulphur Springs Valley have the same number of pages). Additional pages are spread evenly across most of the other chapters except for Chapter 8 -- Huachuca Mountains and the Upper San Pedro River that has 5 more pages, an increase of almost 25%. Additions consist of a couple of locations in the Benson area (Benson was previously not on the birding map) and the SABO Banning Creek Field Station (now defunct). The section on San Pedro River Inn may already be obsolete after the departure of Michael and Donna. Obviously, I haven't checked all the birdfinding info in meticulous detail but a check of one pet peeve revealed that Black-bellied Whistling-Duck is still listed as a bird to be on the lookout for near the San Pedro House -- a bird that I've never seen there in almost 600 visits. This is misleading information, plain and simple, and it's one of the reasons why I don't give the book full marks in the birdfinding category.
I counted 7 species that have been added to the excellent species accounts and bar graph section -- Cackling Goose, Black Turnstone, Pomarine Jaeger, Royal Tern and Brown-chested martin. Bar graphs for some species have been updated but a glaring error still persists for Virginia Rail which is shown as the same abundance all year.
From a birdfinding standpoint, if you already own edition 6, I can't find a compelling reason to shell out $25 for the new edition, especially if you are an out of state birder. However, in terms of having the current status of all species occurring in SE AZ and up-to-date info on operating hours, closures and the like for birding locations, I recommend that you get the new edition. A wasted trip to a closed site can ruin your day.
Birdfinding Guides for other areas of Arizona
Birds of Phoenix and Maricopa County, Arizona,
Witzeman, Demaree, Radke
Published by Maricopa Audubon Society; 1997, 154 pages
Mainly a reference of seasonal occurrence with sighting records, species accounts and bar-graphs; includes 28 pages of fairly general birdfinding information (some specifics), and a birding calendar.
Birding the Flagstaff Area, Frank and Linda Brandt
($14.95, see next item to order)
Published by Northern Arizona Audubon Society, first edition 2001.
Including the Grand Canyon South Rim, Navajo and Hopi Lands.
Birding Sedona & the Verde Valley,
Virginia Gilmore ($12.95, see below to order)
Published by Northern Arizona Audubon Society, first edition 1999, 56 pages.
second edition (2001?), updated species list and new binding.
Features (as described by NAAS): Spiral binding for ease of use in the field; 7-page
species list with helpful notations; Chapters on 26 different locations with explicit
instructions on how to get there, facilities available, accessibility, map references and
possible bird sightings. Eleven detailed, easy-to-use maps; 34 beautiful species
illustrations; 4-page index of places; 4-page species index; Map and illustrations index .
The purchase of these guides supports the educational programs, and conservation and
ecological projects of the Northern Arizona chapter of the National Audubon Society.
A direct purchase from NAAS increases your support.
To order direct from NAAS:
Add $4.50 S&H (Priority Mail for one or both books)
Send check or Money Order to:
NAAS Publications, PO Box 1957, Cottonwood AZ 86326
Birdfinding in Forty National Forests and Grasslands, U.S.F.S & ABA.
Published by the American Birding Association; 1994, 186 pages
Two sections for Arizona: the Coronado Forest of Southeast Arizona, and the Coconino Forest in the Flagstaff area. Not very detailed but the Coconino section is useful because birding information for the area is hard to come by.
Birding Arizona, Bill McMillon
Published by Falcon Publishing Co; 1996, 216 pages.
A superficial guide to the state - not very good. Currently out of print.
A Guide to Birdfinding West of the Mississippi,
2nd Edition, Pettingill, Jr.
Published by Oxford University Press; 1981, 784 pages
Covers each state in the range. Quite dated, but the Arizona section (written by Gale Monson) has an excellent overview and provides information on areas of the state unavailable elsewhere.
Birding the Kaibab Plateau, Arizona,
Charles J. Babbitt
Published by ABA in Winging It; June 1995, 3 pages
Describes where to find montane specialties in the Kaibab National Forest, located on the
north rim of the Grand Canyon.
Birds of the Lower Colorado River Valley,
Rosenberg, Ohmart, Hunter and Anderson
Published by University of Arizona Press, Tucson; 1991, 420 pages
Comprehensive reference for the 200 mile stretch of Colorado River along the Arizona-California border. Very detailed with species accounts, distribution bar-graphs, Christmas Bird Count information and a 26 page birdfinding section.
Reference books and Checklists
Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas,
Edited by Troy Corman and Cathyryn Wise-Gervais
Published by University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque; first edition 2005, 640 pages.
This 11 x 9 inch, 6+ lbs tome is a comprehensive and up to date reference of
all the birds that breed in Arizona (based on data gathered from 1993 to 2000).
While hardly essential reading for a casual visiting birder, all Arizona
residents who are serious about birds should own a copy.
The Birds of Arizona,
A. Phillips, Joe Marshall, G. Monson
Published by University of Arizona Press, Tucson; 1964 (reprinted through at least 1983), 250
pages.
This 12 x 9 inch book describes birds known to have occurred in Arizona at the time of
publication with species accounts, distribution maps and 64 color plates. Since then, as
might be expected, many new species now grace the state and there have been many changes
to the status and range of most other species. Nevertheless, this book remains the only
work of its kind for the state and still has plenty of value for the serious student of
Arizona birds.
Unfortunately, it's out of print and hard to find. Used book stores and Natural History book stores are your best bet. The price is likely to be high (I paid $70 for a pristine copy in January, 2000).
Annotated Checklist
of the Birds of Arizona, 2nd Edition, G. Monson & A. Phillips
Published by University of Arizona Press, Tucson; 1981, 240 pages.
More than simply a checklist as the number of pages imply. Covers all species known to have occurred in Arizona through 1980. Species accounts list status, habitat, range and details of occurrences for less common species. Somewhat dated but still useful, especially as a companion to The Birds of Arizona above.
Field checklist of
the Birds of Arizona, G. Rosenberg & D. Stejskal
Published by the Arizona Bird Committee, 1995, 20 pages
Concise status and abundance, with Southern and Northern Arizona listed separately
Location Checklist to
the Birds of the Chiricahua Mountains
Published by Borderland Productions, 1993, 36 pages
Location Checklist to
the Birds of the Huachuca Mountains and Upper San Pedro River
Published by Borderland Productions, 1995, 48 pages
Both written by Rick Taylor, these booklets describe habitat types, locations, and for each species; status, first and last dates (where appropriate), and a place to find the bird.
Birds of the
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest: A checklist, U.S.F.S & White Mountains Audubon
Published by U.S.F.S, 1996
A four fold checklist that lists abundance and habitat usage using ten separate columns for "Residency" (Summer, Winter, Permanent Resident and Migratory), "Abundance" (Common, Fairly Common, Uncommon, Rare and Hypothetical), and eight habitat types. Contains some glaring errors. For example, Black-capped Chickadee is listed as an uncommon permanent resident (I wish!). Nevertheless, this is still the most useful (i.e. only) checklist for birds of the White Mountains.
Birds of Fort Huachuca. (an informational
checklist) compiled by William R. Ireland, Wildlife Biologist.
Published by Game and Fish Management Section, Fort Huachuca; 1981, 48 pages.
Brief accounts with status and abundance information for species occurring on the Fort (the area covered is not specifically defined). Although outdated with its fair share of inaccuracies, the booklet is still useful and provides some historical perspective to compare to current day birds.
Birds of the
Pinaleņo Mountains. Compiled by U.S.F.S (Safford) and area
ornithologists.
Publication date unknown.
A three fold checklist that lists abundance and habitat usage using three separate columns for "Summer", "Winter" and "Migrant". Useful, since little is published about the Pinaleņos. However, use with caution, since even from my limited knowledge of these mountains and a few cursory checks, there are several mistakes.
Non birding references
Trails of the Huachucas, Leonard Taylor
Published by Agave Guides, 2011, 116 pages
http://agaveguides.com
Formerly Hiker's Guide to the
Huachuca Mountains
A very useful guide to trails and canyons in the Huachucas with detailed descriptions of trails
including maps, mileages and elevations. Also provides some interesting history
about the mountains.
Arizona Atlas &
Gazetteer, Delorme Mapping Corp.
Published by Delorme, 2002
Detailed map at a scale of 1 inch = 4 miles. Indispensable, especially if (as with
most folks) you will be visiting the state more than once.
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