The Birds of South America: Volume 1: The Oscine Passerines [Hardcover]

Robert S. Ridgely (Author), Tudor Guy (Author)

Book Description

Series: Birds of South America | Publication Date: 1989

A land of incredible natural resources, the South American continent is rich in plant and animal species. Among birds alone, over 3,100 species are either resident or migrant. Birds are some of South America's treasures and also one of its most endangered resources. Hence the need for a descriptive record of South American birds that will serve both professional and amateur bird students and encourage conservation of these magnificent species. Although South American birds elicit much popular and scientific interest, they have never been completely or satisfactorily described and cataloged in a single, published source. The Birds of South America, projected to be a four-volume work, thus fills a critical void. Starting from a museum approach, the authors have examined specimens of each subspecies, comparing them visually and trying to discern the patterns in their plumage variation, both intra- and inter-specifically. They take a new look at bird systematics, reassessing relationships in light of new information. Perhaps most important, they combine this review and analysis with extensive field observations to give an accurate, incisive portrait of the birds in nature. At a time when rapid development is devastating millions of acres of tropical habitat in South America, this record of an endangered resource becomes crucial. If the birds and other plants and animals of South America are to be saved, they must first be known and appreciated. The Birds of South America is a major step in that direction. Volume I includes the Jays and Swallows; Wrens, Thrushes, and Allies; Vireos and Wood-warblers; Tanagers, Icterids, and Finches.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 596 pages
• Publisher: University of Texas Press; 1st edition (1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0292707568
• ISBN-13: 978-0292707566
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.3 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #523,471 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "South American`s Birders Bible"!, February 25, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Birds of South America: Volume 1: The Oscine Passerines (Hardcover)

Even if you`re not a bird lover, you should find this book a very interesting one. The high quality of the descriptions and, of course, the plates, makes this book an essential tool for every one who wants to now more about these lovely animals. These two volumes may be the best bird guide ever made(at least for South American Passerines), and all I can say is that I can`t wait to see the next two volumes(Nonpasserines Land Birds and Aquatic Birds). The book describes even the Subspecies, and each description includes the bird`s behaviour. Don`t miss this one

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars How could I have done without it?, March 18, 2002

By 

Martin Pruimers (Spijkenisse Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Birds of South America: Volume 1: The Oscine Passerines (Hardcover)

This really is a must for everyone who's seriously interested in South-American birds. The colour plates are up to Tudor's high standards. I even managed to identify some birds I saw 2 years ago. This surely was not due to the (poor) quality of my notes, but to the excellent quality of the plates.
The text is as clear as can be with good discription of the species, accompanied by clear distribution maps.
There are only two drawbacks:
- they did manage to illustrate "only" about 60% of the species (this cost them a star),
- we have to wait very long for the two remaining volumes.