With more than 500 full-color photographs and illustrations, Simon & Schuster's Guide to Birds is a stunning, thorough, easy-to-use reference to 424 species of birds from around the world. General information about the evolution, physiology, and traits of these unique animals provides a fascinating introduction to the encyclopedic listing of individual species. Each entry includes the classification, physical characteristics, habitat, and current distribution of the bird, along with insights into its life and habits. Photographs and black-and-white drawings ensure accurate identification in the field. Concise and informative, this is the ideal guide for the backyard bird watcher as well as the expert ornithologist.