Customer Reviews

Costa Rica Butterflies & Moths: An Introduction to Familiar Species (International Nature Guides)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

On my visit to Costa Rica, this was helpful in identifying butterflies and moths, of which there are many, many species. This laminated card contains many of those I saw, but, of course, was far from a comprehensive guide. It is sturdy and fits easily in a backpack.

The pocket guide is just as promised, an easily carried introductory guide to the more familiar Costa Rican bird species. Don't expect to get the same information and detail as in a softcover or hardcover book, but the guide appears to be durable and easy to carry in any pocket. The last time we were in Costa Rica we lugged a hardcover birding guide along and got smart this time for our trip down to the Osa Peninsula.

Costa Rica is not Panama, so it seems an unfortunate yardstick for a reviewer to be upset because this excellent guide for Costa Rica doesn't work in Panama. Duhd!

Being an author of field guides myself, I just had to speak up in defense of this one in the face of a slightly negative review posted here, which is based upon another country's birds!!

You get what you buy, and this is as advertised. People that complain about being surprised they aren't holding a 300-page field guide in their hands when they receive this are apparently unable to read the clear description on this page.

Excellent, lightweight, and exactly what it says it is.

For what it is this is a nice little.

Let start with what the guide is not. This is not a comprehensive guide for specialists or serious hobbyist. It is a folding guide (much like a road map). The problem is that people travel to Costa Rica to view the diversity of life and there is a lot to see; far more than this guide can cover. If you want comprehensive you could carry one-half dozen of the various guides with you (good luck).

What this guide provides is a waterproof identification guide at a modest price to carry in your backpack or back pocket. Buy the bird and a couple of the other guides by the same author and you will be fine. It is a folding guide, so no pages to thumb through, which allows for quick identification.

The fact that the guide is laminated is a big plus. Keeping gear dry is a challenge in some locales (impossible in others no matter what you try). Handling a book in these conditions is tough and it will take a beating. A laminated guide is nice.

For those worried about the limited information, please keep in mind that the parks and lodges are staffed by real living breathing guides, who know the area and the ecology and are happy to answer questions. The people in Costa Rica are the best resource available. Costa Rica Birds--An Introduction to Familiar Species is just a compliment to these resources.

I took this pamplet on a trip to Panama, figuring that the birds would be pretty similar, but unfortunately most birds I saw were not included in this guide. This pamphlet has 159 "familiar" species of birds, but I'm guessing they're not always common. Since I couldn't identify most birds I saw anyway, I wish I had brought the Costa Rican Wildlife guide instead so I could at least identify some of the other wildlife I saw.

I just wanted to have a vague idea of the kinds of birds I was seeing without having to lug a weighty bird book around. It's perfect for traveling - a small, light, waterproof, durable, foldable pamphlet. And for $6 you can't go wrong. But if you're a serious bird watcher, you'll want to bring your bird plates.

While there are enough bird species in Costa Rica to fill a thick book, this is a great full-color, water-resistent, lightweight reference to pack on a walk. Delivery was fast also.

Attractive and durable guide to birds in Costa Rica. Buyers should remember that this is an introduction, and not an exhaustive guide.

Just returned from Costa Rica and this guide helped us identify several birds. What I really love is that it is waterproof.

This product was delivered in a timely fashion, arrived in good condition, and was exactly what I expected based on the image and description.