Birds of South America: Non-Passerines: Rheas to Woodpeckers (Princeton Illustrated Checklists) [Paperback]

Francisco Erize (Author), Maurice Rumboll (Author), Jorge R. Mata (Author)

Book Description

Series: Princeton Illustrated Checklists | Publication Date: September 25, 2006

Here in an easy-to-use format is the first guide to the nearly 1,300 species of non-passerine South American birds. It complements Robert Ridgly and Guy Tudor's large reference volumes on the passerines (1,800 species), which will soon be available in a single-volume field guide format.

One of things that makes this book special is its use of masterful and alluring illustrations; most neotropical birders will want the book for the illustrations alone. The text concentrates on the key identification features of each species and follows the layout of other books in this series. The book may be used in conjunction with regional and country field guides.

• First guide to nearly 1,300 species
• Easy-to-use format
• Complements volumes on passerine birds
• Contains key identification features
• More than 150 color illustrations
• More than 1,270 maps

Editorial Reviews

Review

Anyone with a strong interest in the birds of South America should have this book. -- Frederic H. Brock, Wildlife Activist



An excellent compilation of information that is well presented and generally accurate.... I was very pleased to see detailed coverage of large groups of confusing birds, such as the hummingbirds and the parrots, parakeets, toucans and allies.... Without question I recommend buying the book. -- Geoff Carpentier, OFO News



This handy guide complements the two larger volumes on the passerine birds previously published by S. Ridgely and Guy Tudor. It, in essence, finishes those works and now completes the avifauna of the entire South American continent. The plates are well-done and finished the bulk of the book with succinct identification remarks on the accompanied pages. For those interested in the varied birdlife of South America it is a must. -- Charles E. Keller, Indiana Audubon Quarterly

About the Author

Francisco Erize is a well-known conservationist in Argentina and author or coauthor of numerous books on the wildlife of both Argentina and South America, including "The National Parks of Argentina and Other Natural Areas". His photographs have appeared in hundreds of publications. Jorge R. Rodriguez Mata is a freelance artist specializing in bird illustration. His work has appeared in a number of Argentine publications, and he is currently working on a definitive guide to the country's birds. Maurice Rumboll, also based in Argentina, is an environmentalist, bird-tour leader, and freelance writer. He is coauthor of "Birds of Southern South America and Antarctica" (Princeton).

Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (September 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691126887
• ISBN-13: 978-0691126883
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #364,678 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Add this book to your collection!, October 20, 2006

By 

Tropical Birder (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Birds of South America: Non-Passerines: Rheas to Woodpeckers (Princeton Illustrated Checklists) (Paperback)

I just got the book and in short, was very impressed. The book fills in the gap in the taxonomic order not covered in the famous Birds of South America Vol. I & II by Ridgely and Tudor. The book is small and compact (5" X 7.5"). The illustrations are great...a bit crowded on some pages (as can be expected with the size), but overall are visually appealing and birds are identifiable (unlike other Princeton Illustrated Checklists I've seen recently). The book is just that though, an illustrated checklist. Each bird is illustrated on one side with a corresponding paragraph describing the bird and habitat on the opposite side. Each species has a small range map next to the text block as well.

The only errors I've seen so far is that some birds are do not have a numerical label, matching their illustration with their name/description on the other page. These are few in occurrence and don't pose too much of a problem, but obviously overlooked by the editors. One other thing, some of the birds, particularly some of the hummingbirds, have been painted as you may see them in a shaded forest (without any iridescence)...thank God the Velvet-purple Coronet doesn't always look like that!

Overall, this is a great book to add to your collection or to use in the field if that sort of thing is lacking where your going. Its a bargain and recommended.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great to have them together, July 29, 2007

By 

johnbirding (Holland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Birds of South America: Non-Passerines: Rheas to Woodpeckers (Princeton Illustrated Checklists) (Paperback)

Great to have all the non-passerine birds (non-songbirds) together in one booklet, for the most bird-rich continent in the world. Especially handy for those countries that still don't have good field guides, but also handy for comparing species across country boundaries.
The paintings are very nice, and the birds have their natural pose, something we are missing in the latest field guides. The distribution maps are bit small, but still adequate.
For any lover of Southamerican birds, the quality of the paintings alone is worth the purchase of this book, with 1300 species.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, January 9, 2007

By 

Vitor Q. Piacentini (Brazil) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Birds of South America: Non-Passerines: Rheas to Woodpeckers (Princeton Illustrated Checklists) (Paperback)

The book is worth every cent you pay for. The plates by Jorge Rodriguez-Mata are very very good and acurate. The taxonomic classification is not 100% updated, but that is not a real problem.