When David Sibley first released his concept of a bird guide into the wild at the turn of the century, Jon Dunn and colleagues had already demonstrated how a formidable team of experts working under the auspices of a first-rate organization, the National Geographic Society, could outshine even the legendary suite of talents of a Roger Tory Peterson. Featuring the work of numerous talented artists and including all of the rarities that drive so many birders to go birding in the first place, the National Geographic guide seemed invincible. The upstart Sibley Guide to Birds represented one inspired person’s singular vision of what a field guide should look like and the topics it should cover, and, shockingly, it just said “no” to all those fancy strays from abroad. The layout, with its family/group accounts, flight silhouettes, in-flight depictions of each species, and extensive depictions of seasonal and geographic variation, as well as hybrids, was unlike any other North American guide. The artwork was distinctive and instantly recognizable, incorporating Sibley’s refined eye for structure and detail only where it needed to be. As everyone now knows, there was more than enough room for both approaches. In the 14 years that have passed, Sibley has kept himself busy putting out two regional bird guides, books on birding basics and bird behavior, a birding app (now being updated to the new standard), and even a well-received guide to the trees of North America, all while maintaining a useful and eclectic web site (www.sibleyguides.com