A selection of the best North American wildlife field guides. Improve your knowledge and appreciation of North American wildlife with these book recommendations…

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Our Top Picks

Don’t have time to read the whole page? Here are three books to check out if you want to discover more about the amazing wildlife of North America:

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The Best North American Natural History Guide Books

North America encompasses a vast variety of habitats, from tropical rainforests to Arctic tundra. For every iconic North American species, there are tens of thousands of other, lesser-known species playing their respective parts in the ecosystem.

Whether you’re a hiker wishing to identify the animals and plants you encounter while outdoors, or a birder or botanist wishing to take your skills to the next level, a good guide book can improve your knowledge beyond the basics, helping you to increase your understanding and appreciation of the American outdoors.

We hope that you find the following selection of books helpful. If you have any comments on these books, or if you have any suggestions for titles you feel should be featured on this page, then let us know in the comments section; we’d love to hear your opinions!

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General North American Wildlife Guides

North American Wildlife: An Illustrated Guide to 2,000 Plants and Animals

This comprehensive 576-page guide contains details on over 2,000 species including plants and fungi as well as animals. Perfect for quick identification and surprisingly rich in detail considering its vast contents, North American Wildlife is an essential general reference for North American nature enthusiasts.

Although groups such as birds, insects, etc., aren’t covered in as much detail as they are in specialized guide books (such as those we cover further down the page), most of the common species in each group are included.

We’d rather this large book was available in hardcover, and some of the illustrations look a little dated, but for an overall guide to North American wildlife, Reader’s Digest North American Wildlife is hard to beat.

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Peterson Field Guide to Animal Tracks

Take your wildlife identification skills to the next level with the Peterson Field Guide to Animal Tracks. Now in its third edition, this 432-page guide is a useful resource for tracking North American wildlife, featuring renowned naturalist Roger Tory Peterson’s unique identification system.

With over 1,000 line drawings, 100 color photos, and detailed descriptions of animal habits and habitats, it’s a must-have for any outdoor enthusiast or naturalist.

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Best North American Wildlife Field Guides: Birds

National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America

Discover the avian wonders of North America with the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America. Now in its 7th edition, this 592-page, fully revised edition is the ultimate resource for birders of all levels, featuring the latest taxonomy and 1,023 species.

Complete with 250 new illustrations, 80 new maps, and expert-vetted text, it’s the definitive guide to North American birds, essential for your next birdwatching adventure.

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Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America

Enhance your birdwatching with the Peterson Field Guide To Birds Of North America. This updated 520-page edition includes the exotic species of Hawaii, aligning with the latest American Birding Association’s species checklist.

With updated text, range maps, and refined illustrations, the second edition of this guide remains an indispensable tool for birders at every level, providing a reliable system for identifying North American birds.

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National Audubon Society Birds of North America

Discover the latest edition of one of the most thorough and respected bird guides in North America. Updated by the creators of the best-selling Audubon field guides, this indispensable reference covers over 800 species with more than 3,500 vivid full-color photographs, detailed range maps, and comprehensive species information.

Organized in line with the American Ornithological Society’s latest Checklist of North and Middle American Birds, this volume is a valuable resource for every bird enthusiast’s library, it features easy navigation tools including a glossary, index, and ribbon marker, making it an essential guide for both budding and seasoned birders.

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Best North American Wildlife Field Guides: Mammals

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammals

This extensive 942-page guide is packed with over 300 color photographs and comprehensive details on physical characteristics, habitat, and behavior of each species.

Featuring easy-to-read maps and detailed illustrations, it’s the quintessential resource for North American mammal enthusiasts, offering a close-up look at species ranging from flying squirrels to bears.

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Mammal Tracks & Sign: A Guide To North American Species

Being able to identify mammals from their tracks and other clues adds another dimension to your field skills.

Mammal Tracks & Sign: A Guide to North American Species is an award-winning 680-page guide, and one of the most detailed resources of this type on the market. The book features over 1300 photos and 450 illustrations to help you identify tracks and signs of North American mammals.

From ground signs to tree markings, this book covers nests, scat, trails, and more, making it an essential tool for outdoor enthusiasts and naturalists alike.”

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Peterson Field Guide to Mammals of North America

Explore the diverse mammalian life of North America with the Peterson Field Guide To Mammals Of North America.

This comprehensive 608-page guide features over 100 color photographs plus additional illustrations, providing a useful visual comparison of species. Covering every mammal north of Mexico, from shrews to whales, this guide is an essential resource for those interested in North American mammals.

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Best North American Wildlife Field Guides: Reptiles & Amphibians

National Geographic Pocket Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of North America

From the publisher:

Discover the fascinating world of herpetology with the ‘National Geographic Pocket Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of North America.’

This accessible 176-page guide is perfect for beginners, featuring easy-to-understand descriptions and key facts. Illustrated with color photography and detailed art, it helps you identify species from every angle. Compact and comprehensive, it’s ideal for field use or as a handy home reference for families and nature enthusiasts wishing to improve their knowledge of North American reptiles and amphibians.

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Reptiles & Amphibians: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar North American Species

This compact 12-page folding guide is packed with color illustrations and concise descriptions of many of North America’s most common reptile and amphibian species, from tiny tree frogs to massive alligators. Ideal for both novices and experts, it’s the perfect companion for identifying common reptiles and amphibians, and is made in the USA.

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Best North American Wildlife Field Guides: Insects & Spiders

National Geographic Backyard Guide to Insects and Spiders of North America

This 240-page guide features 150 common insects and spiders, each detailed with representative photographs and illustrative highlights of their body shapes, life cycles, and behaviors.

Authored by noted entomologist Arthur Evans, this book organizes these fascinating creatures by scientific taxonomy, providing easy navigation and practical tips on how to attract or repel them. It’s the perfect resource for backyard explorers and insect enthusiasts alike.

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National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Insects and Spiders & Related Species of North America

This comprehensive 496-page guide is packed with over 2,000 stunning color photographs, allowing easy identification of more than 940 species. Accompanied by concise text detailing each creature’s range, habitat, life cycle, and behavior, it’s perfect for both novices and experts. This guide also includes tips on starting a collection, creating an arthropod garden, and mastering macro photography. Its waterproof cover makes it an indispensable tool for outdoor adventures.

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A Swift Guide to Butterflies of North America

Discover the colorful world of North American butterflies with ‘A Swift Guide to Butterflies of North America.’ This revised second edition by Jeffrey Glassberg, a leading authority in butterfly identification, is the most comprehensive photographic field guide available.

Covering all known species, it features over 3,500 stunning color photographs, including 500 new images, with detailed views of various life stages and gender variants. The guide integrates text within photos for quick access, emphasizes key identification marks, and includes extensive range maps and color text boxes detailing habitat, food plants, and more. An essential resource for any butterfly enthusiast.”

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Best North American Wildlife Field Guides: Plants

National Audubon Society Trees of North America

Delve into the world of arboreal giants with the ‘National Audubon Society Trees of North America.’ Updated for the first time in decades, this 592-page guide stands as the most comprehensive and authoritative reference on North American trees.

Featuring nearly 2,500 full-color photographs including bark, fruits, flowers, leaves, and seasonal changes, and arranged according to the latest classification systems, it covers over 540 species. Enhanced with range maps, physical descriptions, conservation status, and insightful essays, this volume is an indispensable tool for anyone eager to explore or understand the rich diversity of North American trees.

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National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America

This thorough guide, richly illustrated with over 2,000 photographic images, details more than 700 tree species and varieties. It highlights key identification features such as leaves, bark, fruits, and flowers. Included are unique tips for each tree, detailed range maps, and a glossary of tree-related terminology. Its durable, waterproof cover makes it an essential companion for nature hikes.

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National Audubon Society Wildflowers of North America

This exquisite 912-page guide, updated to incorporate the latest advances in DNA studies, offers an unparalleled look at 853 species of wildflowers. Nearly 5,200 vibrant full-color photographs complement detailed notes on identification, range, and conservation status.

Organized according to the most recent botanical classifications, and equipped with a glossary, index, and ribbon marker, this volume is an essential tool for both budding botanists and seasoned naturalists. Introductory essays enrich understanding, making this the definitive reference for anyone passionate about the wildflowers of North America.

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National Geographic Pocket Guide to Wildflowers of North America

Carry a pocket guide to wildflowers in your pack or pocket and your springtime hikes will be even more enjoyable.

This accessible 184-page guide makes identifying wildflowers simple, showcasing 160 of the most common species across North America, including Canada and Alaska. Each entry features a vivid photograph to display the plant in its natural environment and an illustration for close-up identification.

Whether a novice naturalist or a curious hiker, this highly visual, user-friendly guide is your perfect companion for discovering the diverse wildflowers from backyard weeds to forest blossoms.

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Haven’t found the book you want? You can see more nature and science books on this page: Natural History Bookstore

Note: while we attempt to make product descriptions as accurate as possible, we have not necessarily owned or tested the products ourselves; therefore, please ensure that you consult product information provided by your chosen retailer before making a purchase decision.

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