Birds of Belize (Corrie Herring Hooks Series) (Paperback)

by H. Lee Jones (Author), Dana Gardner (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
"This is a first-class book that will enable users to identify any bird they encounter in Belize." --Victor Emanuel, President, Victor Emanuel Nature Tours With nearly six hundred identified species of birds--and an average of five "new" species discovered annually--Belize is becoming a birding hotspot for amateur and professional birders from around the globe. Thousands of birders visit the country each year to enjoy Belize's amazing abundance and variety of both temperate and tropical birds in natural habitats that remain largely unspoiled. But until now, despite the growing need for an authoritative identification guide, birders have had to rely on regional field guides that offer only limited information on Belizean birds. Birds of Belize provides the first complete guide to the identification of all currently known species--574 in all. The birds are grouped by families, with an introduction to each family that highlights its uniquely identifying characteristics and behaviors. The species accounts include all the details necessary for field identification: scientific and common names, size, plumage features, thorough voice descriptions, habitat, distribution, and status in Belize. Full color, expertly drawn illustrations by noted bird artist Dana Gardner present male and female, juvenile and adult, and basic and alternate plumages to aid visual identification throughout the year, while 234 range maps show the birds' distribution and seasonality in Belize. A comprehensive bibliography completes the volume.

About the Author
H. Lee Jones is an experienced environmental consultant and research biologist who lives in Punta Gorda, Belize. His previous publications include the Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Belize. He also serves as a regional editor for North American Birds and writes a quarterly column on seasonal bird records in Central America.

Product Details

• Paperback: 317 pages
• Publisher: University of Texas Press (January 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0292701640
• ISBN-13: 978-0292701649
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #343,747 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars At last! THE Belize bird guide, May 4, 2006

By	Christopher J. Sharpe "Chris Sharpe" (Caracas, Venezuela) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Due to its small size, proximity to the USA, English speaking tradition, tropical biodiversity and fairly well conserved natural environment, Belize is growing to be one of the most popular destinations for birders. However, until recently the country lacked a national field guide. This book therefore fills a major gap in the bird identification literature.

The book covers all 574 species recorded in Belize at the time of publication. After brief but informative introductory chapters, a group of 56 colour plates is dedicated to every species. As a refreshing change, all migrants are illustrated, reducing the need to carry an additional field guide to North American birds. A brief text accompanies each plate on the facing page, while the full species descriptions are found separately in the main body of text. Range maps for 234 species are found at the back of the book.

Although this book will not replace the immensely authoritative Howell & Webb's "A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America" (on Amazon: ISBN 0198540124) for Belize, it is certainly a much more portable guide to carry into the field. A must for birders planning a trip to this friendly patch of Central America.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, March 12, 2005

By	J. M. DeRoo "meeperkitty" (boston, ma) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I got back maybe 2 weeks ago. This book was so great! It may be a bit big and heavy but so worth it! It would have been 5 stars if it weighed less.
The pictures were better than the mexico/central america book. Plus there weren't certain birds in the petersons that were in this one. Even the local guide just got it and really liked it too!
The drawing of the Blue-Crowned Motmot was right on the money!!
If you are going to Belize, this is THE book

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The book to get for Belize but difficult to use, January 8, 2005

By	Eric N (Durham NC) - See all my reviews

I just returned from a 10 birdwatching trip to Belize. First, this is pretty much THE book used in Belize. Just about every guide had one and it is about the only one I saw for sale there. This book is broken up into three sections: 1.Color plates 2.descriptions and other data 3. maps.

The good: Illustrations are well done and "true to the bird" in my experience. It certainly is the most up to date book on birds of Belize. There is a good amount of information about each bird in the second section.
The not-so-good: This book is difficult to use in the field due to its size and organization. For me, the North American Sibley book is the benchmark to which I compare other guides. It packs more information about more birds in about the same size (refering to the "big" Sibley book). Regarding it's organization, if you want to look at an illustration of a bird in the plates section and want to see it's cooresponding map, first you must flip to the second section to find the map page number. Only the second section lists the page number for both the plates and the maps.

Illustrations are good in this book but the vast majority of birds only have one drawing. Sibley has a mimimum of 5. This downfall made bird identification of similar species difficult at times.

This book is large and a bit heavy. I saw one guide that took out the plates section and had a spiral binding placed on it. It looked much more managable but then you have no maps or expanded data.

If you go to Belize, get this book. Despite it's downfalls, it is still the best one available. Be sure to buy it in the US before you leave. I found shops in Belize charging over $80 Belize ($40 USD) for it!!