Birds in Brazil [Hardcover]

Helmut Sick (Author), Paul Barruel (Illustrator), John P. O'Neill (Illustrator), William Belton (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1993

Here is a substantially revised and updated English-language version of the only comprehensive, scientific treatment of Brazil's 1635 bird species. Written by the then dean of Brazilian ornithologists and published in Brazil in 1985, it not only lists every individual Brazilian species and provides detailed accounts for most of them but also gives an extensive treatment of the characteristics of each bird family found in the country. In addition, it analyzes the composition of Brazil's avifauna and relates it to the country's geography.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Helmut Sick was one of the most dedicated and active ornithologists ever to work in South America.... [This book is] of great scientific value, yet adopting the best ideas from 'old fashioned' natural histories, and it will stand as a fitting epitaph to its author. It is certainly enjoyable and informative. -- Review

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Portugese

Product Details

• Hardcover: 932 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (June 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691085692
• ISBN-13: 978-0691085692
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.7 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,052,115 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars this is not a field guide, December 6, 2004

By 

P. Reese "muncie-birder" (MUNCIE, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Birds in Brazil (Hardcover)

I read the other review and was deceived. The other reviewer made it sound like a field guide comparing it to Peterson. NO!!!! There are a total of 45 color plates covering less than 500 of the about 1500 Brazilian birds and some of these plates are black and white.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Detailed, highly readable handbook, November 15, 2009

By 

Mike R. (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Birds in Brazil (Hardcover)

This book is an excellent guide to Brazil's birds, but it is not a field guide. Illustrated throughout with line drawings, maps and figures which show various aspects of scientific interest (behavior, nests, etc.). At the back of the book are 47 color plates which depict many but not all of the species listed and described in the text. The author, a German immigrant to Brazil who made a life long study of the country's birds, writes in a surprisingly engaging style for such a serious ornithological work. His accounts of bird families and species are peppered with delightful anecdotes and much useful information for the serious student and birder.

Since most of Brazil's birds and their family groups are widespread throughout the neo-tropics the book is useful for information on tropical American birds in general. In addition to the family and species list with their detailed comments, there are sections covering terrain types and their characteristic birds, history of ornithology in Brazil, conservation, and biogeography and speciation. The book is fully referenced throughout. Any serious student of South American birds should probably have this book, or will want to borrow a copy.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "bible" of Brazilian ornithology, June 18, 2011

By 

Jonathan Kempsey "JK" (Brasil, New Zealand, Chile etc) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Birds in Brazil (Hardcover)

Yes, this is not a field guide and is not intended to be one. It is a fascinating encyclopedia/reference book of Brazilian birds and will give years of pleasure and instruction to anyone who likes to watch birds in Brazil. The text has been very well translated by William Belton and captures all the nuances Helmut Sick's wonderful descriptions of birds. He not only wrote very detailed and exact descriptions of birds, their behavior, their nests etc but he also imbued these descriptions with a personal style that makes the book much more than a scientific monologue and thus more enjoyable for readers from a non scientific background. He also includes many interesting notes on how local people view or exploit different species.
And yes, there is not a picture of every single bird described in the text but there are pictures of the most common species and they are absolutely superb!
This book never leaves the table on the veranda of my house from where I watch the birds in the garden. I always find something new and interesting in it. I would advise any birdwatcher in Brazil to get a copy of this book while they are still available.