The 5 Best raptor Identification Guides (2023 reviews)

It is important to have the well suited raptor identification guide. In the following post, we will help you to select the best raptor identification guides.

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Our Top Picks:

Best Overall: Buy: Richard Crossley raptor Identification Guide READ REVIEW

Best For serious raptor enthusiasts: Buy: Jerry Liguori raptor Identification Guide READ REVIEW

Best For both The novice: Buy: Brian K Wheeler raptor Identification Guide READ REVIEW

Best Field Guide: Buy: James Kavanagh raptor Identification Guide READ REVIEW

Best For daily use: Buy: David Allen Sibley raptor Identification Guide READ REVIEW

Best Overall: Richard Crossley raptor Identification Guide

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The guide is a must have accessory for your daily purpose. This is a great field guide because it shows the birds flying and perching in real world settings, rather than just on stark white pages from a side view. You will have photos of species both close up and at a distance, displayed against their natural habitat, and in their different color morphs and variations between adult and juvenile raptors. These busy scenes have several individuals of each species in all types of plumages posed in every kind of position. The photoes are fantastic and having views of the bird from many different angles helps immensely in identification.

There usually are several photos of each species taken from different angles, or photos in flight versus perched positions, plus different photos by age. The various angles in flight of each species plus the pages of quizzes makes this book a must have for anyone trying to learn to ID raptors on their own. It is perfectly and makes a brilliant addition to any bookshelf.

• Excellent, shows many views of flight and still of each bird
• Written descriptions of birds, calls, habits and habitats are very good as well
• Great book for any skill level

Best For serious raptor enthusiasts: Jerry Liguori raptor Identification Guide

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The jerry liguori raptor identification guide's superior materials makes sure that it ages well with use. If you are a raptor watcher, this is a book to have in your library. It truly is a revolutionary guide and will certainly be a tool for teaching many a hawk watcher in the coming years. They have a high amount of plumage variability, coupled with the fact that they are most often seen at a distance that makes it difficult to distinguish details. The key here is that the book is meant to assist you with identifying the birds at a distance, in flight and with binoculars.

The silhouette scatters showing all species in comparable positions at the back of the book are simply incredible. It is an excellent, compact guide that nicely complements. The captions to each photo are best viewed when you go to the full screen format.

• Excellent for identification of migrating raptors at a distance
• Gives great pictures of hawk's flight which helps in identification
• Excellent book for the avid birdwatcher and even the beginner
• A great leap forward in identifying distant birds of prey

Best For both The novice: Brian K Wheeler raptor Identification Guide

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate guide. The brian k wheeler raptor identification guide is exactly that - it's a simple guide that hits all the right notes. This is an excellent field guide if you want to know what raptors you have in your area. It is helpful for birds in flight, not as easily to identify from the book when the raptor in the book is in flight and the one you are looking at in your back yard is sitting on your fence. It includes multiple photos of the species that have morphs, which is very helpful in the field.

This is a great guide with a lot of beautiful pictures of each bird showing different color phases and morphs. The pictures are clear, large, and the color is absolute. It is ideal for both the novice and the profession. It is the best photographic guide for identifying raptors available.

• Shows many different color phases that the different birds go through
• Useful field guide, shows variability of morphs
• Good investment for long term

Best Field Guide: James Kavanagh raptor Identification Guide

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This is a laminated, fold out guide for birds of prey. Whether you're on a nature hike or in your own backyard, you'll want to take along a copy of this indispensable guide. The map of their territories is very helpful. Each pocket-sized, folding guide highlights up to 150 species and most feature a map highlighting prominent sanctuaries and outstanding natural attractions. This is a great field guide for familiarizing yourself with these birds. It is designed to be taken into the wilderness.

• Great little book to keep in camera bag when out photographing birds
• Handy pocket guide to birds of prey
• Handy to have in your backpack for hikes, counts, and bird watching

Best For daily use: David Allen Sibley raptor Identification Guide

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The david allen sibley raptor identification guide should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. Raptor lovers, this Sibley guide is both fine artistry and highly educational, suitable for display as well as packing into the field. It helps give you tips and identify the birds. This is a perfect folding guide to carry and find the birds fast. It is designed for daily use. This is such a convenient way to study up on raptors, as well as being sturdy and easily carried in the field when spotting them.

• Wonderful, easy to read and waterproof
• A worthwhile and convenient way to identity raptors in a quick, easy format
• Good investment for long term