At age 12, my daughter became a birder. After a few weeks reading through several birding guides, she was somehow able to ID and give accurate names to birds, and point out the field marks as well. I have not been able to keep up with her... she's 24 now... sigh!
So I turned this book on the art of bird identification. Pete points out how much you already know and how to take a systematic approach to birding. Along the way he shares his own missteps as he became a world authority; very entertaining and reassuring. It's a great help. I now spend time looking at the bird rather than jumping to the field guide. My mental note taking is getting better and along with it my accuracy.
Highly recommended ...
