Birds of Maine Field Guide: by Stan Tekiela; Adventure Publications, Inc., Cambridge, Minn., 295 pages, $13.95

Stan Tekiela’s “Birds of Maine Field Guide” is how I learned a wood thrush from a spotted sandpiper and a blue jay from a male belted kingfisher.

This field guide measures a compact 4 by 6 inches and can be easily stowed in a backpack, dry bag, baggy, or under a kayak bungee. The guide’s construction has proven tough enough to withstand even my clumsiness – falls, water drips and splashes, and drops in the mud.

The guide’s introduction, color pictures, and range maps make it an ideal resource for any birding fan. It describes 119 of the most common birds in Maine and explains how Maine’s open space, diversity of habitat, and varying weather attract a great variety of birds.

The guide’s introduction includes several tips for identifying birds. I found the most useful to include noting the bird’s color, its size (small, medium, large), the size, shape, and color of the bill, and the habitat in which you observe the bird.

After reviewing these tips I realized what I thought was an oriole was in fact a red-winged blackbird (imagine my disappointment). The introduction also reviews the basic parts of a bird such as the belly, flank, wing bar, leg, and undertail. It describes the characteristics of ground, platform, cup, pendulous, cavity, and daycare or “no nest” nests.

The how and why of bird migration is included with descriptions of partial or seasonal movement and complete and irruptive migration. Each bird is described by its common name, scientific name, size, male, female, and juvenile characteristics, nest, eggs (how many, color and markings), incubation, fledging, migration, and food. Comparisons to similar birds are then made, followed by “Stan’s Notes” that include additional information and facts.

A range map accompanies each picture and is colored to indicate where the bird will most likely be found year-round and during migration, summer, and winter. The pictures are remarkable. If a bird’s plumage varies according to its sex, such as with the male and female ruby-throated hummingbird or hairy woodpecker, pictures of both the male and female are included.

Sometimes an adult bird will change color during breeding. In these cases, pictures of the breeding and winter adult are shown.

I have used this field guide for more than two years and have found no limitations in its practicality. Given the experience and reputation of Stan Tekiela, this is not surprising. He is a naturalist and wildlife photographer. He writes a syndicated nature column and appears on a number of nature radio shows. He has authored other books and now has CDs available.

Those with an interest in nature and wildlife photography, Tekiela’s columns, books, or CDs can explore his work at www.NatureSmart.com.