Field guides a great tools to help you identify an organism you are looking at. They come in all shapes and sizes, and can be as general as "Animals of North America" or as specific as "Flower Flies of Michigan ". All of them are meant to help you better understand the world around you.
Choosing the right guide can be daunting when faced with the thousands of field guides in print. There are a few tips to keep in mind that will help you find and select the right guide for you. The tips below are meant as guidance to finding a guide that you can learn from and use effectively, but these tips aren't written in stone. Consider them a starting point, and try different guides to find the perfect one for your needs.
The MSU Libraries have hundreds of field guides that you can check out! If you are a community borrower, stop by the circulation desk to get a library card (if you don't already have one) and then head to the basement to find the best guide for you!
Are you affiliated with MSU? You have access to all of our physical guides, as well as our electronic guides!
No matter who you are, find more information on our Field Guide to Field Guides Research Page linked below!
Below is a list of characteristics to consider when selecting a guide.
Remember, the above are meant as guidance to help you start thinking about field guides, but it is by no means a comprehensive list! Ultimately, it's helpful to try a variety of guides and find one that you like. And don't be afraid to mix it up now and then! Come back, find a new guide and test it out in the field!
Merlin is a bird identification app that was developed and is run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. From the Merlin website: Merlin is designed to be a birding coach for bird watchers at every level. Merlin asks you the same questions that an expert birder would ask to help solve a mystery bird sighting.
Merlin can ID birds based on:
Merlin is an invaluable tool that will help you understand what you are seeing in the bird world. For more information, please visit the Merlin webpage.
To download the app, visit Google Play or the App Store.
Don't forget! If you are affiliated with MSU, or if you are visiting our library, you can read all about birds on the Birds of the World database linked below!
Seek is run by iNaturalist, but its a very quick, easy way to identify the organisms around you. The best part - you don't need an account to get started! Just download the app from Google Play or the App Store and go!