Description
Book SynopsisWith nearly six hundred identified species of birds—and an average of five 'new' species discovered annually—Belize is becoming a birding hotspot for amateur and professional birders from around the globe. Thousands of birders visit the country each year to enjoy Belize''s amazing abundance and variety of both temperate and tropical birds in natural habitats that remain largely unspoiled. But until now, despite the growing need for an authoritative identification guide, birders have had to rely on regional field guides that offer only limited information on Belizean birds.
Birds of Belize provides the first complete guide to the identification of all currently known species—574 in all. The birds are grouped by families, with an introduction to each family that highlights its uniquely identifying characteristics and behaviors. The species accounts include all the details necessary for field identification: scientific and common names, size, plumage feat
Table of Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations Used in the Text
- Introduction
- Geography and Climate
- Vegetation
- Habitat Types
- Avifauna
- Using This Book
- Taxonomy
- Nomenclature
- Plumage and Molt
- Organization of the Species Accounts
- Bird Topography
- Range Maps
- Family And Species Accounts
- Tinamidae (Tinamous)
- Podicipedidae (Grebes)
- Procellariidae (Shearwaters)
- Phaethontidae (Tropicbirds)
- Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)
- Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
- Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants)
- Anhingidae (Darters)
- Fregatidae (Frigatebirds)
- Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
- Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
- Ciconiidae (Storks)
- Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
- Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
- Anatidae (Ducks and Geese)
- Accipitridae (Hawks, Kites, and Eagles)
- Falconidae (Caracaras and Falcons)
- Cracidae (Curassows and Guans)
- Phasianidae (Turkeys, Grouse, Pheasants, and Others)
- Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
- Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
- Heliornithidae (Sungrebes)
- Aramidae (Limpkin)
- Charadriidae (Plovers)
- Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)
- Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
- Jacanidae (Jacanas)
- Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Phalaropes)
- Laridae (Skuas, Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
- Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
- Psittacidae (Parrots)
- Cuculidae (Cuckoos and Anis)
- Tytonidae (Barn Owls)
- Strigidae (Typical Owls)
- Caprimulgidae (Nighthawks and Nightjars)
- Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
- Apodidae (Swifts)
- Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
- Trogonidae (Trogons)
- Momotidae (Motmots)
- Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
- Bucconidae (Puftbirds)
- Galbulidae (Jacamars)
- Ramphastidae (Toucans)
- Picidae (Woodpeckers)
- Furnariidae (Ovenbirds)
- Dendrocolaptidae (Woodcreepers)
- Thamnophilidae (Antbirds)
- Formicariidae (Antthrushes)
- Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
- Cotingidae (Cotingas)
- Pipridae (Manakins)
- Vireonidae (Vireos)
- Corvidae (Jays, Crows, and Magpies)
- Hirundinidae (Swallows)
- Troglodytidae (Wrens)
- Sylviidae (Old World Warblers, Gnatcatchers, and Gnatwrens)
- Turdidae (Thrushes)
- Mimidae (Thrashers)
- Motacillidae (Pipits and Wagtails)
- Bombycillidae (Waxwings)
- Parulidae (Wood-Warblers)
- Coerebidae (Bananaquit)
- Thraupidae (Tanagers)
- Emberizidae (Seedeaters and Sparrows)
- Cardinalidae (Saltators, Grosbeaks, and Buntings)
- Icteridae (Blackbirds)
- Fringillidae (Finches)
- Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
- References
- Range Maps
- Index
