IMAGINE: You set up a simple birdfeeder on your back porch, then forget all about it. One snowy morning, your son spots a bright red cardinal and asks:
“What kind of bird is that?!”
You scramble to find an old bird guide, flip through the pages, and there it is—the beginning of your family’s birdwatching journey!
Birding Field Guides:
The Best Bird Identification Books for Homeschoolers
Birdwatching is a beloved part of many families’ homeschool rhythms. It’s science, research, and a family hobby all rolled into one. And with the release of World of Birds, this is the perfect time to introduce your kids to the joy of birding! Whether you’re learning in Michigan, Malaysia, or somewhere in between, the right bird identification guide makes all the difference.
Here’s our curated list of the best bird guides for homeschool families, no matter where in the world you are.
Top Bird Identification Books for Families in the United States
Nationwide Favorites
- Sibley Birds (2nd ed), by David Sibley: This highly acclaimed guide features stunning illustrations and comprehensive details about North American birds. It’s ideal for older students or teens ready for more in-depth study.
- Smithsonian Birds of North America, by Fred J. Alsop: This guide features full-page profiles of nearly 1,000 bird species. It also contains vivid descriptions of nesting, breeding, feeding, and vocalizations for each bird.
Regional Must-Haves
For younger learners (and for busy homeschool parents!), regional guides can be less overwhelming. These books are user-friendly and visually engaging for all ages.
- Stan Tekiela books: Stan Tekiela has a great series of birding books that include almost every single state. Birds of Michigan, Birds of the Carolinas, and Birds of Texas are just a few of the books you’ll find in these simple and instructional guides.
- Pocket Bird Guides, by James Kavanaugh: These state-specific, laminated, fold-out guides are perfect for little hands and nature hikes. Lightweight and waterproof, they’re great for on-the-go learners and detail the birds found in each state.
Bird Guides for International and Global Families
Homeschooling outside the United States or serving as a missionary family? These resources will help you identify the birds around your home no matter where God has planted you!
Central & South America
- Birds of Mexico and Central America, by Ber van Perlo: Pocket-sized yet packed with information—ideal for tropical bird lovers.
- Field Guide to the Songbirds of South America: The Passerines, by Robert S. Ridgely & Guy Tudor: A single-volume, field-worthy guide filled with gorgeous plates covering over 2,000 passerine species.
- Birds of South America: Non-Passerines: Rheas to Woodpeckers, by Francisco Erize & Maurice Rumboll: Compact, highly field-friendly guide focusing on non-perching birds.
Europe & North Africa
- Collins Bird Guide, by Lars Svensson: The ultimate resource for birds in Britain and all over Europe with lifelike illustrations and detailed notes.
- A Field Guide to Birds of Britain & Europe, by Roger Tory Peterson Institute, Guy Mountfort, & P.A.D. Hollom: A handy, thorough, and accessible classic.
- Birds of Europe, North Africa, & the Middle East: A Photographic Guide, by Frederic Jiguet, Aurelien Audevard, & Tony D. Williams: Comprehensive guide including common migrants and winter visitors.
Sub-Saharan Africa
- Birds of Africa South of the Sahara, by Ian Sinclair & Peter Ryan: A comprehensive, field-tested guide perfect for families living in Africa.
- SASOL Birds of Southern Africa, by Ian Sinclair & Phil Hockey: Beloved regional guide updated with new illustrations, maps, and a companion app.
Asia
- Birds of South-East Asia, by Craig Robson: Covers over 1,300 species with concise descriptions and quality illustrations.
- Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide, by Pamela C. Rasmussen, John C. Anderson, et al.: A two-volume, museum-based handbook with detailed species accounts for serious birders.
Australia & Oceania
- Simpson & Day Field Guide to the Birds of Australia, by Ken Simpson & Nicholas Day: Clear, detailed, and practical—a staple for homeschoolers down under.
- A Field Guide to the Birds of Hawaii & the Tropical Pacific, by H. Douglas Pratt, Phillip L. Bruner, & Delwyn G. Berrett: Great for both novice and expert birders in Oceania.
Prefer a Birdsong App?
Live in a remote area where shipping costs are sky-high? Or maybe you’d rather not lug a book through the woods on your next birding adventure. If that sounds like you, don’t worry. Birdsong apps make identifying birds by sound easy and portable!
How to Use Bird Guides in Your Homeschool Along with World of Birds
With our World of Birds course, bird guides become essential tools to bring your science lessons to life. Here’s how:
- Use bird guides alongside World of Birds to identify species discussed in the lessons.
- Assign a “bird of the week” for your child(ren) to study and observe in real life.
- Start a family bird journal to log sightings, draw pictures, and note behaviors.
- Plan regular “birding days” where your family takes your guide outside and tries to spot 3–5 new birds.
Some Encouragement
Don’t worry about becoming a bird expert overnight! Just start with one guidebook and get outside. Whether you hear the caw of a crow or catch a glimpse of a hummingbird at your feeder, you’re not just teaching science—you’re nurturing a sense of wonder in your child and teaching God’s creation!
Happy birding!
