This is the only compact, portable, and user-friendly field guide the novice or experienced birder needs to identify birds in the field in the diverse habitats found in Costa Rica. It features descriptions and illustrations of all 903 species definitely known from Costa Rica, including pelagics and species regular to Cocos Island.
Fifty-six of these species are placed in a "Rarities" section that includes accidentals, rarer pelagics, and species that have not been reported in more than twenty years. The detailed full-color illustrations show identifying features—including plumage differences among males, females, and juveniles—and views of birds in flight wherever pertinent.
Robert Dean has supplied more than 360 new illustrations, including sixty-four species that are illustrated for the first time in this edition. These include recent additions to the country list, pelagic species, Cocos Island species, and all accidentals recorded from the Costa Rican mainland. Range maps and nomenclature have been updated for this edition, which also has a new user-friendly organizational scheme and an alphabetical quick-find index of groups on the inside back cover.
Richard Garrigues is one of the preeminent birding guides in Costa Rica, with more than twenty-five years' experience leading birding and natural history tours. Robert Dean is an avid birder and natural history illustrator. Both live in Costa Rica.
Table of Contents
Introduction VII Anatomical Features XIV Acknowledgements XXIII About the Author and Illustrator XXV Species Accounts and Illustrations Tinamous 2 Ducks 4 Grebes 8 Curassows, Chachalacas, & Guans 10 Quails 12 Boobies 14 Pelicans 16 Cormorants 16 Anhingas 16 Frigatebirds 18 Storks 18 Hetons 20 Spoonbills & Ibises 26 Sunbittern 28 New World Vultures 30 Hawks & Eagles 32 Falcons 48 Crakes & Rails 54 Jacanas 60 Sungrebes 62 Limpkin 62 Thick-knees 62 Plovers 64 Oystercatchers 66 Stilts 68 Sandpipers 68 Gulls & Terns 80 Skimmers 84 Pigeons & Doves 84 Parrots 94 Cuckoos 100 Barn Owls 104 Owls 104 Nightjars 110 Potoos 114 Oilbird 114 Swifts 116 Hummingbirds 120 Trogons 140 Motmots 146 Kingfishers 148 Puffbirds 150 Jacamars 152 Barbets & Toucans 152 Woodpeckers 156 Ovenbirds & Woodcreepers 162 Typical Antbirds 174 Ground Antbirds 184 Tapaculos 186 Tyrant Flycatchers 188 Becards, etc. 214 Cotingas 218 Manakins 220 Sharpbill 224 Vireos 224 Jays 230 Swallows 232 Gnatwrens & Gnatcatchers 236 Wrens 238 Thrushes 246 Dippers 250 Mockingbirds 252 Silky-Flycatchers 252 Waxwings 254 Wood-Warblers 254 Bananaquit 276 Tanagers 276 Seedeaters, Finches, & Sparrows 294 Old World Sparrows 306 Saltators, Grosbeaks, & Buntings 306 Blackbirds & Orioles 312 Munias 322 Euphonias & Goldfinches 324 Additional Species 328 Glossary 331 Taxonomic Notes 335 Costa Rica Bird List 341 Index of Scientific Names 365 Index of English Common Names 375 Adult Vultures and Raptors in Flight 386
