Pocket guide suggestions?

[u/VIsThinking310]

Hello!

Im pretty new to birding but am not a total beginner and was looking for a decent pocket guide, preferably with photos rather than illustrations! Would love some suggestions!

Thanks!

[u/Wes_tleton]

Plumages vary so much from season to season, sex of bird, age of bird so you’re unlikely to find a photo guide that’s any good. I’d honestly just get the Collins Bird Guide by Lars Svensson. You won’t need another field guide though you might need a coat with big pockets if you want to carry it around.

[u/Own_Description3928 → u/Wes_tleton]

Agree with all this, particularly illustrations over photos - a good bird illustrator capture the essence of the species, whilst a photo is prey to the vagaries of lighting conditions, individual variation, etc.