The 19 most notable books about birds and birdwatching from the first half of 2013, selected by the editors of BirdWatching.

New books by five of our favorite writers, including David Sibley and Kenn Kaufman

The editors of BirdWatching magazine describe Steve N.G. Howell's guide to petrels, albatrosses, and storm-petrels, Julie Zickefoose's new collection of essays, John Marzluff's latest book about crows, Derek Lovitch's guide to becoming a better birder, David Sibley's backyard birding flashcards, and 10 other new books about birds and birdwatching.

New books about the critical importance of native plants, the birds of New Jersey, and Boundary Bay, an Important Bird Area in British Columbia.

Appraisals of the sixth edition of the National Geographic field guide, Laura Erickson's illustrated book about owls, a collection of beautiful photographs of bird nests, and 11 other new books, including three that will appeal to birdwatchers of any ages. Written by the editors of BirdWatching magazine. 

A beautifully written novel about the Eskimo Curlew and Audubon's journals from the year he found a publisher for his art.

The editors of BirdWatching magazine describe Kenn Kaufman's latest field guide to advanced birding, Richard Crossley's groundbreaking ID guide, an important volume on identifying hawks at a distance, and seven other new books about birds and birdwatching.

The editors of BirdWatching magazine describe the Stokeses' photographic field guide, the American Bird Conservancy's important handbook of bird conservation, a page-turner about a 2008 Big Year attempt, and eight other new books.