Birds of Peru: Princeton Field Guides.

Written by Thomas S. Schulenberg, Douglas F. Stotz, Daniel F. Lane, John P. O'Neill & Theodore A. Parker III.

Illustrated by Daniel F. Lane, Dale Dyer, Larence B. McQueen, John P. O'Neill, and N. John Schmitt.

Published by Princeton University Press

Hardcover - $49.50

Finally we have in our hands the much-anticipated authoritative field guide by Schulenberg and his colleagues at the Field Museum in Chicago and the Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science. This massive project was initiated by John O'Neill and the much-loved (and dearly missed) Ted Parker over twenty-five years ago.

Nearly eighteen hundred different bird species--one fifth of the world's birds--have been recorded in Peru. Birds of Peru is the most complete and well-researched field guide to this rich and fascinating diversity. It illustrates every one of the 1,792 species and shows the distinct plumages of each. It includes 304 superb, high-quality color plates directly opposite concise descriptions and color distribution maps, making it much easier to use in the field than standard neotropical field guides. The detailed text discusses key identification features, status, distribution, and vocalizations for all species, and many subspecies.

This field guide enables users to identify all species found in Peru, and is also useful throughout much of western South America, particularly southeastern Colombia, southern Ecuador, western Brazil, Bolivia, and northern Chile.

Birds of Peru is an indispensable resource for birdwatchers, biologists, naturalists, and conservationists working or traveling in Peru and South America.

• The most complete and well-researched field guide to the 1,792 species of birds found in Peru
• 304 superb, high-quality color plates directly opposite concise descriptions and full-color distribution maps for quick reference and easy identification
• Distinct plumages, subspecies, sexes, age classes, and morphs fully illustrated
• Detailed text discusses key identification features, status, distribution, and vocalizations
• Designed especially for field use-compact, portable, and user-friendly

The format of the book is simple and easy to read. Color plates sit opposite concise text, with thumbnail distribution maps in the margins. It should be easy to pick out the correct bird, text, and map quickly. The color plates vary in quality and clarity, but they all appear to be quite accurate. Any distinct variations in plumages, including subspecies, sexes, age classes, and morphs are included.

The species accounts include English and scientific names, details on length (in centimeters and inches), geographic variation, relative abundance, habitats, behavior, elevational distribution, voice, and regional distribution. Shorebirds are included, though a cautionary note warns of the incomplete knowledge of seabirds in Peru, and the difficulty of identification.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Thomas S. Schulenberg and Douglas F. Stotz are ornithologists and conservation ecologists at the Field Museum in Chicago. Daniel F. Lane and John P. O'Neill are illustrators and field ornithologists, and both are research associates at the Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science. Lane also leads Field Guides birding tours. Theodore A. Parker III, who worked throughout Peru before his death in 1993, was the premier neotropical field ornithologist of his time.

WHAT REVIEWERS ARE SAYING:

"Birds of Peru is in that select pantheon of bird books destined to make a lasting contribution to ornithology. The authors and artists of this long-awaited book have given us a comprehensive guide that is both beautiful and accurate. Outstanding artwork, precise maps, and succinct text will help scientist and neophyte alike as they navigate the tsunami of birdlife within this fascinating country." --Steven L. Hilty, author of Birds of Venezuela

"Peru harbors one of the world's richest, most diverse avifaunas. Here, at last, is a comprehensive field guide that lives up to the challenge of sorting out and describing that diversity. The authors are uniquely qualified for the task, and have done a monumental job of condensing a formidable amount of information into a user-friendly format that will be an invaluable aid to birders and ornithologists of all stripes. The attractive, well-executed plates will greatly simplify the identification process, and should serve as a mouthwatering enticement for armchair travelers to catch the next plane to Peru!" --Kevin J. Zimmer, author of Birding in the American West: A Handbook

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Foreword by Dr. Antonio Brack Egg 6
• Preface 7
• Acknowledgments 8
• Introduction 12
• How to Use This Book 12
• Topography of Peru 18
• Habitats of Peru 20
• Glossary of Bird Topography 22
• Molts and Plumages 26
• Cautionary Note Regarding Seabird Identification 27
• Conservation 27
• Species Accounts 30
• Vocal Credits 638
• Vocal References 639
• Artists' Credits 640
• Index 641

You may also be interested in: Studies in Neotropical Ornithology Honoring Ted Parker. American Ornithologists Union, 1997. Ornithological Monographs Number 48. J. V. Remsen Jr., Editor. $49.95 . ON SALE FOR $9.95

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