Ithaca, N.Y.—A new series of foldout guides from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology makes it easier to identify ducks, geese, loons, grebes, and other types of waterfowl. It all boils to down to a simple question:

Where's the white?

"I started using this method in the Lab's webinar series about waterfowl identification," says Kevin McGowan, ornithologist and author of the guides. "So many people liked the technique and wanted to have a reference they could take into the field with them that we collaborated with Waterford Press to make it happen."

The guides show species in full color and also as black and white silhouettes. The location of patches of white on the bird's body and its overall shape offer clues to its identity. Pocket Naturalist Guides are lightweight, waterproof, easy-to-digest, and small enough to take anywhere.

"In the first guide we focus on the basics," says McGowan. "In guides two and three we move into identifying species of dabbling, diving, and sea ducks. When you're trying to identify a bird you've never seen before, at a distance, perhaps in bad light, it can really help to boil it down to this simple 'Where's the white?' idea."

The guides are available now in a variety of locations, including the Wild Birds Unlimited at Sapsucker Woods store and from Waterford Press.

To learn more about the Cornell Lab's courses for the public, visit birds.cornell.edu/courses.
##

Media Contact:
Pat Leonard, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, (607) 254-2137, pel27@cornell.edu

For review copies, contact Jill Smith, Waterford Press, js@waterfordpress.com