These are the tried and true classic North American birding field guides. They all have their good and bad points, and every avid birder will strongly defend their favorite.
The Sibley Guide to Birds is the new classic of bird identification. It is a beautiful and detailed book, detiled enough to assist an avid bird watcher in distinguishing between similar species. Abit large to tote around in the field, though, so also available...
Birds of North America (Kaufman Focus Guides, Flexicover Edition) This is another "new classic" of bird guides. Uses enhanced photography for identification, and groups birds by basic size and shape rather than by strict taxonomy. Reccomneded for beginners and used by many veteran birders.
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