Description
Book SynopsisVolume II, the field guide volume of this two-volume set, contains 96 full-color plates and facing pages of descriptive text, along with 115 silhouette outlines and nearly 1600 distribution maps.
Trade ReviewThe Field Guide volume, 'intended primarily for field use,' contains plates, distribution maps, and text geared toward the identification of all the birds of Ecuador (excluding the Galapagos Islands). Its companion, Status, Distribution, and Taxonomy, suggested 'for your library (or hotel room or even car),' covers the occurrence and systematics of these same species. Undoubtedly, the field guide will be the volume most often consulted; an excellent aid for field identification of Ecuadorian birds, it will also be useful in much of Colombia, northern Peru, and western Brazil. Illustrations make or break a field guide. The 96 color plates, all by Greenfield, are vibrant, clear, and very effective. They depict nearly the entire avifauna, including migrants and species known in Ecuador only from a single record. They also show many rarely illustrated plumages (such as in the highly polymorphic hawks and eagles).... The Field Guide will be indispensable to all field biologists and birdwatchers visiting Ecuador and northwestern South America.
* Science *
What Ridgely and Greenfield have produced is arguably the most important publication on birds in the region since the appearance of Wetmore's... treatise on the birds of Panama a half-century ago.... The accounts are compacted but chock-full of information, covering status, habitat, field marks, similar species, habits, and voice. Despite the fact that this is a superb field guide,... it is the companion volume that elevates these books to a rarefied standing. This book consists of accounts for all the species in the field guide.... The second volume makes this set more than just a field guide and handbook. It makes it perhaps the single most important reference for students, professionals, and bird watchers interested in the birds of South America, one that will be a first source for decades.
* Bird Watcher's Digest *
Many of us can only long to travel to exotic birding places in South America,... but Ridgely and Greenfield live the dream and generously share it with us through their exquisite writings and paintings.... In summary, this is a thorough and thoughtful production that not only provides useful and complete information, but does so in a user-friendly manner.... The decades-long wait for these volumes has been worth it!
* Birders Journal *
The long awaited The Birds of Ecuador is finally out and the results are well worth the wait. The 2-volume set is a massive piece of work and the authors intended the 2-volume set to be used by both traveling birders and ornithologists.... Both volumes complement each other perfectly and are well worth the price. These volumes add tremendously to the available information of South American avifauna.
* Surfbirds Book Reviews *
This long awaited, monumental two volume set reveals the ornithological secrets and diversity of this small Latin American nation.... The two amassed so much information, they could not fit it in one book.... The Birds of Ecuador is an incredible achievement and is most highly recommended.
* Wildlife Activist *
This outstanding work is the culmination of a 20-year collaboration between Ridgely... and Greenfield.... Indispensable for those planning to do bird work in Ecuador or surrounding countries. Should be in every library with major holdings on bird life or tropical ecology.
* Choice *
The Birds of Ecuador is a monumental guide to the birds of this country and does a remarkable job of describing them all.... Volume 1 of The Birds of Ecuador could stand alone as a resource; however, it is completed (and made much more useful) by the accompanying volume 2 with its illustrations, descriptions, and range maps. The two volumes of this title will remain the stand for this country and for other South American bird guides for a long time. It is highly recommended for any research library.
* E-Streams *
Table of ContentsPlan of the Book
Beginning With Birds
Color PlatesTinamiformes
Tinamidae - TinamousPodicipediformes
Podicipedidae - GrebesSphenisciformes
Spheniscidae - PenguinsProcellariilormes
Diomedeidae - Albatrosses
Procellariidae - Shearwaters and Petrels
Hydrobatidae - Storm-PetrelsPelecaniformes
Phaethontidae - Tropicbirds
Fregatidae - Frigatebirds
Sulidae - Boobies and Gannets
Phalacrocoracidae - Cormorants and Shags
Anhingidae - Darters
Pelecanidae - PelicansAnseriformes
Anhimidae - Screamers
Anatidae - Ducks, Geese, and SwansPhoenicopteriformes
Phoenicopteridae - FlamingosCiconiilormes
Ardeidae - Herons, Bitterns, and Egrets
Threskiornithidae - Ibises and Spoonbills
Ciconiidae - Storks
Cathartidae - American VulturesFalconiformes
Accipitridae - Kites, Eagles, Hawks, and Osprey
Falconidae - Falcons and CaracarasGalliformes
Cracidae - Curassows, Guans, and Chachalacas
Odontophoridae - New World QuailsGruiformes
Rallidae - Rails, Gallinules, and Coots
Eurypygidae - Sunbittern
Heliornithidae - Finfoots
Aramidae - Limpkin
Psophiidae - TrumpetersCharadriiformes
Jacanidae - Jacanas
Scolopacidae - Sandpipers, Snipes, and Phalaropes
Thinocoridae - Seedsnipes
Burhinidae - Thick-knees
Haematopodidae - Oystercatchers
Recurvirostridae - Stilts and Avocets
Charadriidae - Plovers and Lapwings
Stercorariidae - Skuas and Jaegers
Laridae - Gulls and Terns
Rynchopidae - SkimmersColumbiformes
Columbidae - Pigeons and DovesPsillaciformes
Psittacidae - Parrots and MacawsCuculiformes
Cuculidae - Cuckoos and Anis
Opisthocomidae - HoatzinSlrioiformes
Tytonidae - Barn Owls
Strigidae - Typical OwlsCaprimulgiformes
Steatornithidae - Oilbird
Nyctibiidae - Potoos
Caprimulgidae - Nightjars and NighthawksApodilormes
Apodidae - Swifts
Trochilidae - HummingbirdsTrogoniformes
Trogonidae - Trogons and QuetzalsCoraciiformes
Alcedinidae - Kingfishers
Momotidae - MotmotsPiciformes
Galbiilidae - Jacamars
Bucconidae - Puffbirds
Capitonidae - New World Barbets
Ramphastidae - Toucans
Picidae - Woodpeckers and PiculetsPasserilormes
Furnariidae - Ovenbirds
Dendrocolaptidae - Woodcreepers
Thamnophilidae - Typical Antbirds
Formicariidae - Antthrushes and Antpittas
Conopophagidae - Gnateaters
Rhinocryptidae - Tapaculos
Tyrannidae - Tyrant Flycatchers
Cotingidae - Cotingas
Pipridae - Manakins
Corvidae - Crows, Jays, and Magpies
Vireonidae - Vireos, Peppershrikes, and Shrike-Vireos
Turdidae - Thrushes
Mimidae - Mockingbirds and Thrashers
Cinclidae - Dippers
Hirundinidae - Swallows and Martins
Troglodytidae - Wrens
Polioptilidae - Gnatcatchers and Gnatwrens
Motacillidae - Pipits and Wagtails
Parulidae - New World Warblers
Thraupidae - Tanagers, Honeycrccpers, Bananaquit, and Plushcap
Cardinalidac - Saltators, Grosbeaks, and Cardinals
Embcnzidae - Emherizine Finches
Icteridae - American Orioles and Blackbirds
Fringillidae - Cardueline Finches
Passeridae - Old World Sparrows
Bibliography
Index of English Names
Index of Scientific Names
