The Birds of Ecuador: Field Guide

by Robert S. Ridgely, Paul J. Greenfield, Frank Gill (Foreword)

The Birds of Ecuador comprehensively treats the nearly 1600 species of birds that can be found in mainland Ecuador. The authors describe Ecuador this "One of the wonders of the natural world. Nowhere else is such incredible avian diversity crammed into such a small country.... Birds are, happily, numerous in many parts of even the downtown parks of the big cities such as Quito and Guayaquil host their complement." Volume I, S tatus, Distribution, and Taxonomy , contains detailed information on the ecology, status, and distribution of all species. Introductory chapters deal with geography, climate, and vegetation; bird migration in Ecuador; Ecuadorian ornithology; endemic bird areas in Ecuador; and conservation. Individual species accounts treat habitat, distribution, and taxonomy. Volume II, Field Guide , contains 96 full-color plates and facing pages of descriptive text, a color map of Ecuador, 2 line drawings of bird anatomy, 115 silhouette outlines, and nearly 1600 distribution maps. All species are illustrated in full color, including migrants and vagrants and visually distinctive subspecies. The text focuses on the field identification aspects of each species, including their behavior, vocalizations, and nest appearance. The two volumes are available separately or may be purchased as a slipcased set.

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Natural History, Birds, Reference, Science

740 pages, Paperback

First published June 26, 2001

Reviews

[Wanda Pedersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Field guides are not really books that one reads--they are books that one studies and hopes to retain a small fraction of the information available. This book provides excellent coverage of the birds of Ecuador. Many of the birds depicted are difficult to do justice to--the iridescent hummingbirds, tanagers, etc. I felt I was doing well just to get the various families of birds that were possible to see somewhat established in my brain. Actually seeing some of these species was mind-blowing.

This is one heavy field guide. It is a thick brick of a book and if/when I return to Ecuador, I will consider doing the same as one of my friends: having the illustrated plates excised and bound on their own. Although to this library worker, it seems like sacreligious treatment of a book, it would mean being able to carry the plates in the field, a very useful accompaniment.

Although for me, the field guide will never replace the knowledge and expertise of a tour leader, it is still a must-have item when birding in a foreign country. I spent several happy hours with my enormous guide book by the hummingbird feeders at our lodge, figuring out these flying gems on my own. Probably the most educational hours of my tour.

[Sheri Fresonke Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful resource for the visitor to Ecuador, especially those bird watching or visiting Ecolodges. Not all the pictures have the best color--variation exists. We saw 125 birds in three weeks, that leaves 1000+ to go.

[Randal White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievably comprehensive book....now I just can't wait for my trip to Ecuador!