The Warbler Guide

Gr 9 Up—Bird-watching is one of the fastest growing outdoor hobbies in the United States, with well over 51.3 million Americans reporting that they participate. The activity has generated enthusiasm across all age groups and demographics. Many of us grew up with a tattered copy of one of the "Peterson Guides" in our home. Today, with family members pinching and swiping their way through books, it's no surprise that digital references for hobbyists are a growing category. There are now a host of great apps to assist those who want to sharpen their observational skills. Quality resources include iBird in all its iterations, from the Ultimate (pricey) to the Lite (free) versions, both available for i0S and Android, as well as National Geographic Birds: Field Guide to North America (also available in a free, Birds Lite edition). And, of course, there's Peterson's Birds Pocket Edition: A Field Guide to Birds of North America. Is there room for additional competitors and improvements? Enter the species-specific app. Since warblers are one of the most confusing and difficult birds to identify, it makes sense to offer a guide on them, and Princeton University Press and One Hundred Robots have obliged.The app is based on the award-winning reference of the same title by Tom Stephenson and Scott Whittle (PUP, 2013). Brief descriptions of the creatures are offered, along with icons indicating typical behaviors and preferred habitats. Particularly noteworthy are the multiple views of the birds that allow users to see them from various angles with pinch-zoom properties. Other welcome features are the exhaustive song and vocalization library for each warbler and the array of images depicting differences in appearance in age and gender, seasonal plumage, and so on. The app can be customized by view, season, location, and scientific order. There's even an opportunity to paint the bird bodies to filter out some of the possibilities when trying to name a warbler in the field. A user guide is provided.Highly sophisticated both in navigation and content, the app is designed for the experienced, dedicated birder. Combining the depth of the print guide and the technology of digital, Warbler will make a good companion for those hoping to identify these beautiful creatures on a walk or hike, or during a window bird-watching session. Student researchers looking for images may also find it useful.—Elisabeth LeBris, Director Library Tech Center, Kenilworth SD 38, IL