Bird watching has become a very popular pastime. To help you identify your mystery guest, try to note its colour, any markings, size, if its bill was long, short, thick, thin, curved or straight, and any other noticeable characteristics.
In terms of a field guide, you can try looking in:
Peterson First Guide to Birds of North America
National Audubon Society The Sibley Guide to Birds
The Birds of Canada, Revised Edition
National Geographic – Birds of North America
