A Guide to the Birds of the West Indies - by Herbert A Raffaele & James Wiley & Orlando H Garrido & Allan Keith & Janis I Raffaele (Hardcover)

About the Book

The first comprehensive field guide to the birds of the West Indies in more than 50 years covers all 564 bird species known to occur in the region (including migrants and infrequently occurring forms). A landmark publication that will be widely hailed by serious birders and amateur birdwatchers alike. 86 color plates. $49.50 after December 31, 1998.

Book Synopsis

This is the first comprehensive field guide to the birds of the West Indies to appear in more than fifty years. It covers all 564 bird species known to occur in the region (including migrants and infrequently occurring forms). Each species is represented by a full description that includes identification field marks, local names, status, habitat, voice, nesting, range, and comments about the bird. A map showing the bird's distribution accompanies each species account. Plumages of all species are depicted in eighty-six beautifully rendered color plates. Twelve of these plates feature individual endemics from each of twelve islands. Another seven plates feature the island endemics of the largest islands: Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.

Because the region is known for its extraordinary variety of avifauna and because no other accurate modern account of its birdlife exists, this book is a landmark publication that will be widely hailed by serious birders and amateur birdwatchers alike. The authors pay particular attention to endangered and threatened birds. For each island or island group, local experts have been invited to provide a survey of efforts made to date to conserve birds and their habitats. For many years there has been a need for an up-to-date field guide that could satisfy local residents, vacationing tourists, and "armchair travelers." At last, that need has been met with this fully illustrated Guide to the Birds of the West Indies.

From the Back Cover

This is the first comprehensive field guide to the birds of the West Indies to appear in more than fifty years. It covers all 564 bird species known to occur in the region (including migrants and infrequently occurring forms). Each species is represented by a full description that includes identification field marks, local names, status, habitat, voice, nesting, range, and comments about the bird. A map showing the bird's distribution accompanies each species account. Plumages of all species are depicted in eighty-six beautifully rendered color plates. Twelve of these plates feature individual endemics from each of twelve islands. Another seven plates feature the island endemics of the largest islands: Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.

Review Quotes

"One of the best of the recent publications finally eclipsing the old field guide . . . that in its various forms held sway for more than fifty years. . . . The illustrations . . . are exceptionally beautiful."---Stephen Mills, Times Literary Supplement

"While paging through the new West Indian field guide . . . I lost track of several hours, completely captivated by the images before me. . . . [A Guide to the Birds of the West Indies] contains fully 86 color plates of surpassing accuracy and . . . striking beauty . . . [and t]he text . . . is accurate and highly readable."-- "Tropical Audubon Bulletin"

About the Author

Herbert Raffaele is Chief of the Office of International Conservation of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. He is the author of A Guide to the Birds of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.