A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica - Softcover

Stiles, F. Gary; Skutch, Alexander F.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0747030286 ISBN 13: 9780747030287

Publisher: Helm, 1989

Synopsis

Costa Rica hosts an avifauna of more than 830 species. Within two hours drive from San Jose, one can see quetzals in highland forests, antbirds in lowland forests, or shorebirds and ibises in mangrove swamps. The authors describe the landforms, vegetation and climates of Costa Rica and include photographs of some of the major types of habitat and characteristic plants. They discuss some aspects of evolution, ecology, and behaviour of Costa Rican birds, and report on the costly and courageous conservation efforts the country is making. The family and species accounts which follow, covering some 400 pages, make up the bulk of the book, with 52 colour plates illustrating virtually every species of Costa Rican bird-migrants as well as residents - including distinctive plumages for many of them. There are also practical tips for trips in the field and descriptions of good birding locations, with specific directions for travel by car, public transport and on foot.

About this title

Review

"A superior field guide to a country with one of the richest assortments of bird life anywhere. Written and illustrated by top experts, this book has it all: 52 excellent color plates, detailed species accounts, brief write-ups of 70 birding localities, and extensive introductory materials . . . on geography, climate, habitats, and conservation, accompanied by helpful photographs."--Library Journal

"This book is much more than a field guide to the birds; it is a complete guide to birding in Costa Rica. It is so much more comprehensive and helpful than other country field guides that it sets a new standard for field guide utility and comprehensiveness."--Naturalist Review

"An excellent field guide, one that sets the industry standard . . . at least for this reviewer, who has subsequently compared every bird guide to 'Stiles and Skutch.' . . . The authors are two top experts on neo-tropical birds in general. . . . Absolutely indispensable for Costa Rica, and very useful for countries which share Costa Rican avifauna."--British Bulletin of Publications, April 2000

"This long-awaited, much-needed volume may be the best field guide I've ever seen, and it's sure to become the standard against which all new field guides will be measured. Tehcnically excellent and comprehensive, it's the kind of book readers will not put down at the end of the day, but will savor in the evenings back at camp."--Marcy F. Lawton, University of Alabama

Edition details

• Publisher: Helm
• Publication date: 1989
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0747030286
• ISBN 13: 9780747030287
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrator: Gardner Dana
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 656