Product Description

This is the first paperback version of the second edition of the popular A Guide to the Birds of Panama. In the second edition, published in 1989, the authors expanded information on the birds of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras: approximately 200 new species were added to the material in the 1976 edition. Over 300 additional species, some of them Panamanian, were illustrated. Sixteen new plates were added, and three of the original plates were replaced by improved versions. Throughout the book changes were made to accommodate the explosion in knowledge of the birds of Panama and nearby areas and of neotropical birds in general. The basic sequence and systematics of the AOU 1983 Check-list were adopted. Also included in the revised edition was expanded and updated information on birdfinding in Panama, prepared with the assistance of two of Panama's best resident birders. The book also contains a special section outlining developments in Panama ornithology and conservation. "A sophisticated treatment of one of the world's richest avifaunas."--The Quarterly Review of Biology

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #218052 in Books
• Published on: 1992-06-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 412 pages

Review
A sophisticated treatment of one of the world's richest avifaunas.
(Quarterly Review of Biology )

Customer Reviews

An essential companion
In spite of the abundance and variety of birds and the prevalence of eco-tourism in Panama, field guides and handbooks on the subject are remarkably scarce. That could perhaps be because this Ridgely/Gwynne tome is so comprehensive that it is perceived that there is no need for any other guide, or perhaps it is because the subject matter itself is so enormous it is a task too daunting to undertake.
Either way, this book, although heavy and quite technical, proved an invaluable companion on my recent trip to Panama. I would say that it is not for the complete novice and the reader requires some knowledge of birds to be able to use it effectively (the writers acknowledge this in the foreword, and consequently it is written assuming this basic knowledge). But the plates served me well and the full descriptions were remarkably detailed and accurate, sometimes allowing for identification based on habits alone.
Truly a remarkable and comprehensive book. I do believe there is room in the market for a more lightweight book, with photos and more general information, however I am yet to find one of any substance.

Essential for a birding trip to Panama
Although field guides have moved on in terms of quality since this book was issued in 1989 this guide still stands the test of time. The plates are mostly accurate and well set out without being too cluttered although some of the descriptions appear on a previous page & rather confusingly, some birds e.g. Nighthawks are only depicted in the main text and additional plates are found further on in the book away from the middle section. It's fairly heavy for a field guide and I've heard of some birders removing the colour plates for use in the field so if you have the resources buy two copies, one to cut up and other for the bookshelf!

This book is well overdue for a re-vamp but it's an essential guide to the area giving both the common names and scientific names with sub-species for those armchair ticks in the future. I bought my copy in preparation for a trip in April 2007 and I still reach for it from time to time when I dream about a return visit to locate that elusive Rufous-vented Ground-cuckoo, a species which deserves a half page plate to itself.