Customer Reviews

Viva Natura: Field Guide to the Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds and Mammals of Western Mexico (English and Spanish Edition)

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

 

 

Basics: 2007, 248pp, softcover; 325 very good color photos of 85 birds, 17 mammals, 39 reptiles, and 18 amphibians; no text other than the species name; 23 types of icons used to denote the species' diet, habits, and activities; chapters on climate, conservation, and habitats

This is a great local photo guide that focuses on the Puerto Vallarta area of western Mexico. In all, about 160 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians are shown in 325 very nice color photographs. These photos make up the bulk of the book and offer the visiting naturalist a solid visual resource to the local fauna.

Each of the four categories of animals provide a very nice selection of species. The breakdown of each category is the following:
Birds: 150 photos of 85 species (of the 300 in the area)
Mammals: 35 photos of 17 species (of the 100 in the area)
Reptiles: 77 photos of 39 species (of about 120)
Amphibians: 40 photos of 18 species (of the 40-50)

All of the photos are of top quality and show the animal very well. There are typically two photos per page, meaning each subject takes up a half-page. This produces nice sized photographs. Some of the subjects are even shown in a full page. Many of the species are shown with multiple photographs that help display the variations between races, ages, or genders.

One particular attribute about this book that is appealing (to me) is the presence of good photos of bird and reptile species that are not easily found published elsewhere. Examples that caught my attention where the Colima Pygmy-Owl, Elegant Quail (3 photos), and Stripe-headed Sparrow as well as the Many-lined Whiptail.

There is very little text to go with the photographs which consists of the English, Spanish, and scientific names, the animal's length in cm, and a large assortment of symbols. These symbols represent 23 different types of diet, habits, and activities for the species. Some examples would be arboreal, lowland, venomous, diurnal, egg diet, fruit diet, migratory, resident, etc. To better understand these symbols, you'll need to review the page that precedes each of the four animal groups. Accompanying the legend for the symbols are 1-2 pages that generally discuss the natural history of the groups. This includes a range of habitat types that are occupied and the number of species in the area. A nice touch is providing a list of specific localities to explore for various species.

Anyone who's an outdoor enthusiast and naturalist will like this book for its excellent photos and for the broader scope of the book. Taking a hike through the Puerto Vallarta area will be more enjoyable and informed with this book. - (written by Jack at Avian Review / Avian Books, December 2009)

I've listed several related books below...
1) A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America by Howell
2) A Field Guide To Mexican Birds and Adjacent Central America by Peterson/Chalif
3) Field Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Central America by Davis
4) Finding the Birds in Western Mexico by Alden

This is an amazing photographic guide of the most common fauna of Western Mexico. It is very useful for tourists visiting Puerto Vallarta, Mexico during vacations. A great part of the species mentioned in this book can be observed just by opening the window of your hotel. That's because Puerto Vallarta is surrounded by the beautiful Tropical forest. The guide give some interesting information of fauna seeing places in Western Mexico and some facts about the species. This book gives a great visual pleasure.