
Oxford University Press’ “A Field Guide to the Birds of Brazil” is, at time of publication, the first comprehensive field guide to the birds of Brazil The carefully vetted text & images are the first to cover the full range of bird life in this vast & varied country. The more than 1800 up-to-date accounts treat the Yellow-nosed Albatross to the Sombre Hummingbird, the Ash-throated Gnat-eater to the Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Nighthawks & Jacamars to Motmots, Puffbirds, & Peppershrikes. They are all here--every species & many subspecies found in each region of Brazil--with special attention given to the 218 Brazilian endemics. The book is laid out so that the illustrations sit across from the commentary & the distribution maps, so it is easy to use. Also, the author uses short-hand notation throughout, to make the book compact & easy to carry when in the field. It features 187 beautifully drawn full-color plates with 1820 species accounts. For each bird, the scientific, English, & Portuguese name are given as well as detailed information on measurement; identifying features; habitat; voice, song, & call. Distribution maps show the range for each species, also indicating seasonality & occurrence, essential for finding & identifying specific birds. From the equatorial North to the tropics, the introductory paragraphs set the stage in describing Brazil`s varied biogeography, climate, geomorphology, & natural vegetation. A list of protected areas of Brazil, information on relevant national & international organizations, a bibliography & further references, & an English-Portuguese dictionary of frequently used terms enhance the user-friendly qualities. Anyone wishing to fully explore the fabulously varied bird life of Brazil will find this light-weight, easy-to-use, attractive guide an invaluable field companion. Recommended for students & scholars of ornithology, general readers interested in Brazilian natural wildlife.