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This thread is so that we can share various sources and references that we use for identification of animals/birds/beasties/bugs/etc.... Please do share your own, be they books, articles or websites. The more we reference the more people can make use and identify what they've got pictures of.
Note as a general point of advice I'd recommend the use (where possible) of drawn plates instead of photographic records when performing identifications. The reason for this is that (well sourced and referenced) drawn references allow presentation of an "ideal" or perfect copy of a species. Furthermore they allow clear display of colours and detail without being affected by shadows or light colouring.
Photographs can suffer since individuals within a population can have unique features not indicative to the species; furthermore the effects of the light in the shot can obscure or change key details or colourations which might lead to confusion.
A few of my own references that I make use of:
Birds: Note if you get a change check out books published by Helm - they have a range from general to specific area and niche species books out there and they are all fantastic - pricey, but if you've an interest they are well worth purchasing.
1) Flight Identification of European Raptors by R.F.Porder et al
An older book and many of the photos are very dated by today's standards, but the drawn references of wing shape and pattern are a very good reference.
2) Bird Guide by Collins (Britain and European edition).
Great book containing a detailed series of drawn plates of a vast number of species. Each bird also has a short bit on location, identification and voice. Some bird also have in-flight drawings for additional reference.
3) Raptors of the World - Helm Identification Guides.
This is a fantastic book and goes into far more detail than most. The book is broken into two sections; a first part with drawn colour plates, distribution map and identification advice; and a second expanded description with more detail on the species.
Each bird has several drawn plates, showing adult male and female as well as juvenile, in flight and subspecies.
4) Shrikes and Bush-Shrikes by Helm Identification Guides.
Like the Raptor book, only focused around Shrikes, philontomas, batises and wattle-eyes. Again its a detailed and well put together book focusing upon drawn plates and a two part ID and then detail section.
5) Woodpeckers; A Guide to the Woodpeckers, Piculets and Wrynecks of the World by H.Winkler, D.A.Christie and D.Nurney
This book is set out much like the Helm books detailed above, with an ID and plate section and then a more fleshed out detail section in the second half of the book.
Bugs:
1) Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland by P.Waring and M. Townsend.
A large amount of information on moths, including reference material for both caterpillar and adult forms. Descriptive information includes identification; flight season; life cycle; larval foodplants; habitat; status and distribution.
1b) Concise Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland by P.Waring and M. Townsend.
A ring bound edition of the previous book. This one cuts much of the text and focuses purely upon identification traits and the plates of adult moths. A good option for a lighter, easier to flip through volume for reference whilst out in the field.
2) A Field Guide in Colour to Beetles
This book focuses upon British and European beetles. Containing clear drawn plates and short text per beetle relating to identification.
3) Collins Butterfly Guide (Britain and European edition)
Another great ID book by Collins, this one focusing upon butterflies. Containing detailed drawn plates for each species along with description including range; distribution habitat, flight period, life history and behaviour
4) Collins Complete Guide to British Insects
One of the few guides I've got that is a photographic reference rather than drawn (actually it might be my only one at present). It's a decent guide, but covering so much ground there is little room for much detail beyond basic ID points. Further some photos are clearer than others, which can make some identifications a challenge with this edition. A good all round general guide to have, but any specific niche interests will be best served with more detailed reference material.
Note as a general point of advice I'd recommend the use (where possible) of drawn plates instead of photographic records when performing identifications. The reason for this is that (well sourced and referenced) drawn references allow presentation of an "ideal" or perfect copy of a species. Furthermore they allow clear display of colours and detail without being affected by shadows or light colouring.
Photographs can suffer since individuals within a population can have unique features not indicative to the species; furthermore the effects of the light in the shot can obscure or change key details or colourations which might lead to confusion.
A few of my own references that I make use of:
Birds: Note if you get a change check out books published by Helm - they have a range from general to specific area and niche species books out there and they are all fantastic - pricey, but if you've an interest they are well worth purchasing.
1) Flight Identification of European Raptors by R.F.Porder et al
An older book and many of the photos are very dated by today's standards, but the drawn references of wing shape and pattern are a very good reference.
2) Bird Guide by Collins (Britain and European edition).
Great book containing a detailed series of drawn plates of a vast number of species. Each bird also has a short bit on location, identification and voice. Some bird also have in-flight drawings for additional reference.
3) Raptors of the World - Helm Identification Guides.
This is a fantastic book and goes into far more detail than most. The book is broken into two sections; a first part with drawn colour plates, distribution map and identification advice; and a second expanded description with more detail on the species.
Each bird has several drawn plates, showing adult male and female as well as juvenile, in flight and subspecies.
4) Shrikes and Bush-Shrikes by Helm Identification Guides.
Like the Raptor book, only focused around Shrikes, philontomas, batises and wattle-eyes. Again its a detailed and well put together book focusing upon drawn plates and a two part ID and then detail section.
5) Woodpeckers; A Guide to the Woodpeckers, Piculets and Wrynecks of the World by H.Winkler, D.A.Christie and D.Nurney
This book is set out much like the Helm books detailed above, with an ID and plate section and then a more fleshed out detail section in the second half of the book.
Bugs:
1) Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland by P.Waring and M. Townsend.
A large amount of information on moths, including reference material for both caterpillar and adult forms. Descriptive information includes identification; flight season; life cycle; larval foodplants; habitat; status and distribution.
1b) Concise Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland by P.Waring and M. Townsend.
A ring bound edition of the previous book. This one cuts much of the text and focuses purely upon identification traits and the plates of adult moths. A good option for a lighter, easier to flip through volume for reference whilst out in the field.
2) A Field Guide in Colour to Beetles
This book focuses upon British and European beetles. Containing clear drawn plates and short text per beetle relating to identification.
3) Collins Butterfly Guide (Britain and European edition)
Another great ID book by Collins, this one focusing upon butterflies. Containing detailed drawn plates for each species along with description including range; distribution habitat, flight period, life history and behaviour
4) Collins Complete Guide to British Insects
One of the few guides I've got that is a photographic reference rather than drawn (actually it might be my only one at present). It's a decent guide, but covering so much ground there is little room for much detail beyond basic ID points. Further some photos are clearer than others, which can make some identifications a challenge with this edition. A good all round general guide to have, but any specific niche interests will be best served with more detailed reference material.
But yes its a very valid reference (esp with mobile phones and tablets able to get online in remote locations).
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