National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, 7th Edition by Jon L. Dunn and Jonathan Alderfer
$29.99
Only 1 left in stock
Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:Â Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.
The 7th edition of the best-selling North American bird field guide from National Geographic. 1,023 species, 592 pages, hand-painted plates, and the only field guide organized to match the 2016 American Ornithological Society taxonomy.
- 1,023 species covered, including 37 new species added in this edition
- 250 fresh illustrations, 80 new range maps, 350 map revisions vs the 6th edition
- 592 pages, paperback, approx. 5.5″ x 1.1″ x 8″, 35 oz
- By Jon L. Dunn and Jonathan Alderfer; over 2.75 million copies in print across all editions
- Proceeds support education, conservation, and visitor services at BHPFA partner parks and forests.
Only 1 left in stock
60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, 7th Edition by Jon L. Dunn and Jonathan Alderfer
$29.99
Only 1 left in stock
Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:Â Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.
The 7th edition of the best-selling North American bird field guide from National Geographic. 1,023 species, 592 pages, hand-painted plates, and the only field guide organized to match the 2016 American Ornithological Society taxonomy.
- 1,023 species covered, including 37 new species added in this edition
- 250 fresh illustrations, 80 new range maps, 350 map revisions vs the 6th edition
- 592 pages, paperback, approx. 5.5″ x 1.1″ x 8″, 35 oz
- By Jon L. Dunn and Jonathan Alderfer; over 2.75 million copies in print across all editions
- Proceeds support education, conservation, and visitor services at BHPFA partner parks and forests.
Only 1 left in stock
60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS
Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.
Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.
Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.
Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.
Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.
Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.
Description
About this guide
National Geographic’s Field Guide to the Birds of North America is the full-size, comprehensive bird guide the pocket edition is distilled from. The 7th edition, published in 2017, is the most frequently updated guide on the North American market and covers 1,023 species, including 37 added since the 6th edition. Authors Jon L. Dunn and Jonathan Alderfer revised every range map and added 16 new pages of plates, for a total of 250 fresh illustrations and 80 new maps (with another 350 revised).
This is the guide you want when you are serious about identifying what you are looking at. It is the only North American field guide organized to match the 2016 American Ornithological Society taxonomy, which is what eBird, professional ornithologists, and serious birders use. It also includes the four-letter banding codes used in checklists and field reports.
What’s inside
- 1,023 species accounts, including 37 new species added in the 7th edition
- Hand-painted plates by the series’ nature artists, with flight views, seasonal plumage, and juvenile forms where relevant
- Range maps for every species, with 80 new maps and 350 revised maps reflecting updated distribution data
- Standardized four-letter banding codes alongside each species entry
- Taxonomy aligned to the 2016 American Ornithological Society reorganization (the first major edition to adopt it)
- Expert-vetted identification text, written for both beginners and experienced birders
Specifications
- Pages: 592
- Dimensions: approx. 5.5″ x 1.1″ x 8″
- Weight: 35 oz
- Binding: Paperback
- Publisher: National Geographic
- Authors: Jon L. Dunn, Jonathan Alderfer
- Edition: 7th Edition
- ISBN-13: 9781426218354
- ISBN-10: 1426218354
- Published: September 12, 2017
Who is this for?
Serious birders who keep a life list, use eBird, or want a guide that tracks the current American Ornithological Society taxonomy. If you already own an older National Geographic guide, the 7th edition is a meaningful update because of the taxonomy change and the 80 new maps.
Black Hills and Nebraska panhandle visitors who plan to spend real time in the field. The Black Hills sit at the crossroads of eastern and western bird ranges, and Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands plus Agate Fossil Beds add prairie and sandhills species to the mix. A comprehensive guide covers both regions and the migratory species that pass through.
Gift buyers who want a book that a birder will actually reach for instead of a coffee-table bird book. At 592 pages it is too thick to clip to a belt, but it fits a daypack or vehicle glove box and has the reference depth to settle a hard ID.
Pocket guide vs field guide
BHPFA also carries the National Geographic Pocket Guide to the Birds of North America, which is a smaller, 160-page compact guide covering the most common species. Pick the pocket guide for casual backyard and trail use, and this 7th edition field guide for comprehensive coverage, taxonomy reference, and harder IDs. Many birders own both, one for the day pack and one for the car or visitor center desk.
Frequently asked questions
How does the 7th edition differ from the 6th?
The 7th edition added 37 new species (total 1,023), 16 new pages of plates with 250 fresh illustrations, 80 new range maps, and 350 revised maps. Most importantly, it is the first edition reorganized to match the 2016 American Ornithological Society taxonomy, which changed the order and grouping of many families. If you use eBird or keep a list, the 7th edition’s species order matches what your digital tools use.
Is this the same as the pocket guide?
No. The pocket guide is a 160-page compact reference to the most common species, aimed at casual observers and first-time visitors. This is the full field guide: 592 pages, 1,023 species, with the depth and taxonomy a serious birder wants. The pocket guide and this field guide are sister products, not replacements.
Who are Jon L. Dunn and Jonathan Alderfer?
Jon L. Dunn is a leading authority on the identification and distribution of North American birds, a consultant for Birding magazine, and former chair of the American Birding Association’s Checklist Committee. Jonathan Alderfer is one of the nation’s foremost birding artists and tour guides and has co-authored and illustrated National Geographic bird titles for more than two decades. Between them, they have shaped several editions of this guide.
What does “banding codes” mean and why does it matter?
Banding codes are four-letter abbreviations that ornithologists and serious birders use to log species quickly in the field or in checklists. For example, “BAEA” is Bald Eagle and “AMRO” is American Robin. The 7th edition prints the banding code next to each species entry, which is useful if you file eBird checklists, participate in Christmas Bird Counts, or communicate with other birders by shorthand.
Is this a good guide for birds in the Black Hills and western Nebraska?
Yes. The Black Hills are in a transition zone where eastern and western ranges overlap, and species accounts in this guide cover both. Wind Cave National Park has documented prairie and forest species such as wild turkey, golden eagle, and grassland sparrows. Scotts Bluff and Agate Fossil Beds add sandhills and short-grass prairie species. The full field guide covers these regions thoroughly, including range maps that show the Black Hills as a distinct feature.
Does buying this support national parks?
Yes. BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, as well as the Black Hills National Forest and Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands. Proceeds from every purchase support education programs, conservation projects, and visitor services at these sites.
Is there a digital version or app?
National Geographic has released digital birding content separately over the years, but this product is the physical 7th edition paperback. Many birders use a phone app (Merlin, eBird, Sibley) for quick ID in good cell reception and keep a physical field guide in the car or pack for the hard calls and for use in areas with no signal.
Related titles at BHPFA
Every Purchase Makes a Difference
When you shop with Black Hills Parks & Forests Association, you are directly funding:
- Education programs — nature workshops, Junior Ranger activities, and homeschool adventures for kids across the Black Hills
- Trail maintenance — keeping hiking trails safe and accessible at Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, and the Black Hills National Forest
- Visitor services — park store operations, interpretive programs, and the staff who help millions of visitors each year
- Conservation — supporting the long-term health of public lands in the Black Hills and Nebraska
BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service in the Black Hills region. We have supported these public lands since 1946.
Additional information
| Weight | 35 oz |
|---|---|
| Brand | National Geographic |
| Pages | 592 |
| Binding | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781426218354 |
| Publisher / Manufacturer | National Geographic |
| Year Published | 2017 |
| Edition | 7th Edition |
| Dimensions | 5.5" x 1.1" x 8" |
| Weight | 35 oz |
Note on International Orders
Some countries charge import duties, VAT, or handling fees on delivery. These are set by your local government and are not included in our checkout total. Customers are responsible for paying any such charges before receiving their package.
