Birds of Mexico and Central America - (Princeton Illustrated Checklists) by Ber Van Perlo (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Birds of Mexico and Central America is the only field guide to illustrate and describe every species of bird in Central America from Mexico to Panama, including Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Written and illustrated by Ber van Perlo, this handsome work covers more than 1,500 species.

Information on key identification features, habitats, songs, and calls is included as are distribution maps showing each species' location and prevalence. Enhanced with ninety-eight color plates, the book provides illustrations of all plumages for the adult males and females as well as the juveniles of each species. Illustrations appear opposite their relevant text for quick and easy reference.

Comprehensive and highly portable, this guide is a must for any birdwatcher visiting the region.

• More than 1,500 species described and illustrated


• Information on key identification features, habitat, and songs and calls


• Distribution maps showing each species' location and prevalence


• Illustrations of all plumages for each species


• 98 color plates, which appear opposite their relevant text for quick and easy reference


• Comprehensive and highly portable


• A must for all birdwatchers visiting the region

Review Quotes

"A new entry into the Illustrated Checklist guides published by Princeton. The [book's] size makes it easy to carry in the field [and] important to travelers who have been burdened with the more weighty field guides previously published for this area.... The plates are well-done and should enable easy identification of the birds found there. A must for all birdwatchers visiting the region."---Charles E. Keller, Indiana Audubon Quarterly

"An admirable guide."---Melissa Mayntz, About.com

"I would recommend this book highly to anyone birding or banding in Mexico or Central America."---John Woodcock, American Bird Bander

"I wouldn't think of visiting Panama without this series' volume. . . . Superbly designed to present as much visual information about the species included in as small and portable a format as possible. . . . [T]his book will be a constant companion to me while I am in Panama."---John E. Ruitta, Well-Read Naturalist

"Praise for previous Princeton Illustrated Checklists: "The books are compact, convenient guides for birders and scientists interested in identifying birds while visiting the regions. Their small, lightweight sizes make for easy packing and carrying in the back pocket while trudging around the countryside. They are the perfect alternative to the larger guides that are too large for travelling and often have more information than is necessary for field identification.""-- "Condor"

"The best feature about the book is that it packs a lot of birds, more than 1,500 species, in a small guide that can be easily carried in the field. . . . Birds of Mexico and Central America is a god acquisition for anyone with a strong interest in the birds of the region."---Frederic H. Brock, Wildlife Activist

"The little book has an amazing breadth of information, and a quick thumbing through leads you to just about any family of birds you may want to find."---Gary Clark, Houston Chronicle

"This useful book adds to the continually growing list of field identification field guides illustrating Neotropical birds. It is recommended to ornithologists, birders, conversations biologists, naturalists, and educators, and ecotourism guides taking people on fields trips to Mexico and Central American."-- "International Hawkwatcher"

About the Author

Ber van Perlo is the author and illustrator of three highly successful Princeton Illustrated Checklists: Birds of Eastern Africa, Birds of Southern Africa, and Birds of Western and Central Africa.