Birds of Costa Rica
A Field Guide
Published on 15. January 2010
Book
Paperback/Softback
403 pages
978-0-292-71965-1 (ISBN)
Description
At the biological crossroads of the Americas, Costa Rica hosts an astonishing array of plants and animals-over half a million species! Ecotourists, birders, and biologists come from around the world, drawn by the likelihood of seeing more than three or four hundred species of birds and other animals during even a short stay. To help all of these visitors, as well as local residents, identify and enjoy the wildlife of Costa Rica, Carrol Henderson published Field Guide to the Wildlife of Costa Rica in 2002, and it became the instant and indispensable guide.
Now Henderson has created a dedicated field guide to the birds that travelers are most likely to see, as well as to the unique or endemic species that are of high interest to birders. Birds of Costa Rica covers 310 birds-an increase of 124 species from the earlier volume-with fascinating accounts of the birds' natural history, identification, and behavior gleaned from Henderson's forty years of traveling and birding in Costa Rica. All of the accounts include beautiful photographs of the birds, most of which were taken in the wild by Henderson. There are new updated distribution maps and a detailed appendix that identifies many of the country's best bird-watching locations and lodges, including contact information for trip planning purposes.
Now Henderson has created a dedicated field guide to the birds that travelers are most likely to see, as well as to the unique or endemic species that are of high interest to birders. Birds of Costa Rica covers 310 birds-an increase of 124 species from the earlier volume-with fascinating accounts of the birds' natural history, identification, and behavior gleaned from Henderson's forty years of traveling and birding in Costa Rica. All of the accounts include beautiful photographs of the birds, most of which were taken in the wild by Henderson. There are new updated distribution maps and a detailed appendix that identifies many of the country's best bird-watching locations and lodges, including contact information for trip planning purposes.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Austin, TX
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
466 color photos, 11 color figures, 307 range maps
Dimensions
Height: 212 mm
Width: 148 mm
Thickness: 28 mm
Weight
843 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-292-71965-1 (9780292719651)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Carrol L. Henderson has headed the Nongame Wildlife Program of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for thirty-two years. He is an award-winning wildlife conservationist who has helped bring back eastern bluebirds, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, river otters, and trumpeter swans; an avid wildlife photographer whose images have appeared in the New York Times, Audubon, Birder's World, and Wild Bird; an experienced birding tour leader to Latin America, Kenya, Tanzania, and New Zealand; and the author of many magazine articles and nine books, including Oology and Ralph's Talking Eggs.
Content
Foreword by Alexander F. Skutch
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Historical Perspective
Research
Education
Preservation
Conservation
Nature Tourism
Geography
Biogeography
Migratory Birds
Endemic Species
Endemic Wildlife of the Highlands
Endemic Species of the Southern Pacific Lowlands
Endemic Species of Cocos Island
Major Biological Zones
Tropical Dry Forest
Southern Pacific Lowlands
Central Plateau (Central Valley)
Caribbean Lowlands
Highlands
Coastal Beaches, Islands, and Mangrove Lagoons
Wildlife Overview and Species Coverage
Bird Species Accounts
Tinamou Family (Tinamidae)
Duck Family (Anatidae)
Chachalaca, Guan, and Curassow Family (Cracidae)
Booby Family (Sulidae)
Pelican Family (Pelecanidae)
Cormorant Family (Phalacrocoracidae)
Anhinga Family (Anhingidae)
Frigatebird Family (Fregatidae)
Heron Family (Ardeidae)
Ibis and Spoonbill Family (Threskiornithidae)
Stork Family (Ciconiidae)
American Vulture Family (Cathartidae)
Osprey Family (Pandionidae)
Accipiter Family (Accipitridae)
Falcon Family (Falconidae)
Rail Family (Rallidae)
Sungrebe Family (Heliornithidae)
Sunbittern Family (Eurypygidae)
Thick-knee Family (Burhinidae)
Plover Family (Charadriidae)
Oystercatcher Family (Haematopodidae)
Stilt Family (Recurvirostridae)
Jacana Family (Jacanidae)
Sandpiper Family (Scolopacidae)
Gull and Tern Family (Laridae)
Dove and Pigeon Family (Columbidae)
Parrot Family (Psittacidae)
Cuckoo Family (Cuculidae)
Owl Family (Strigidae)
Nighthawk Family (Caprimulgidae)
Potoo Family (Nyctibiidae)
Hummingbird Family (Trochilidae)
Trogon Family (Trogonidae)
Motmot Family (Momotidae)
Kingfisher Family (Alcedinidae)
Puffbird Family (Bucconidae)
Jacamar Family (Galbulidae)
Toucan Family (Ramphastidae)
Woodpecker Family (Picidae)
Spinetail Family (Furnariidae)
Woodcreeper Family (Dendrocolaptidae)
Antbird Family (Thamnophilidae)
Flycatcher Family (Tyrannidae)
Tityra and Becard Family (Tityridae)
Cotinga Family (Cotingidae)
Manakin Family (Pipridae)
Vireo Family (Vireonidae)
Jay Family (Corvidae)
Swallow Family (Hirundinidae)
Wren Family (Troglodytidae)
Dipper Family (Cinclidae)
Thrush and Robin Family (Turdidae)
Silky-Flycatcher Family (Ptilogonatidae)
Wood-Warbler Family (Parulidae)
Bananaquit Family (Coerebidae)
Tanager Family (Thraupidae)
Seedeater, Finch, and Sparrow Family (Emberizidae)
Saltator and Grosbeak Family (Cardinalidae)
Blackbird, Oriole, and Grackle Family (Icteridae)
Goldfinch, Euphonia, and Chlorophonia Family (Fringillidae)
Glossary
Bibliography
Appendix A. Costa Rica Conservation Organizations, Research Stations, Birding Groups, and Bird Information Sources
Appendix B. Wildlife Tourism Sites and Field Stations Referred to in the Distribution Maps
Appendix C. Costa Rican Trip Preparation Checklist
Appendix D. Travel Tips for a Successful Wildlife Viewing Trip in Costa Rica
Appendix E. Eco-misconceptions about Bird Feeding, Flash Photography, and Sound Recordings
About the Author
Index
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Historical Perspective
Research
Education
Preservation
Conservation
Nature Tourism
Geography
Biogeography
Migratory Birds
Endemic Species
Endemic Wildlife of the Highlands
Endemic Species of the Southern Pacific Lowlands
Endemic Species of Cocos Island
Major Biological Zones
Tropical Dry Forest
Southern Pacific Lowlands
Central Plateau (Central Valley)
Caribbean Lowlands
Highlands
Coastal Beaches, Islands, and Mangrove Lagoons
Wildlife Overview and Species Coverage
Bird Species Accounts
Tinamou Family (Tinamidae)
Duck Family (Anatidae)
Chachalaca, Guan, and Curassow Family (Cracidae)
Booby Family (Sulidae)
Pelican Family (Pelecanidae)
Cormorant Family (Phalacrocoracidae)
Anhinga Family (Anhingidae)
Frigatebird Family (Fregatidae)
Heron Family (Ardeidae)
Ibis and Spoonbill Family (Threskiornithidae)
Stork Family (Ciconiidae)
American Vulture Family (Cathartidae)
Osprey Family (Pandionidae)
Accipiter Family (Accipitridae)
Falcon Family (Falconidae)
Rail Family (Rallidae)
Sungrebe Family (Heliornithidae)
Sunbittern Family (Eurypygidae)
Thick-knee Family (Burhinidae)
Plover Family (Charadriidae)
Oystercatcher Family (Haematopodidae)
Stilt Family (Recurvirostridae)
Jacana Family (Jacanidae)
Sandpiper Family (Scolopacidae)
Gull and Tern Family (Laridae)
Dove and Pigeon Family (Columbidae)
Parrot Family (Psittacidae)
Cuckoo Family (Cuculidae)
Owl Family (Strigidae)
Nighthawk Family (Caprimulgidae)
Potoo Family (Nyctibiidae)
Hummingbird Family (Trochilidae)
Trogon Family (Trogonidae)
Motmot Family (Momotidae)
Kingfisher Family (Alcedinidae)
Puffbird Family (Bucconidae)
Jacamar Family (Galbulidae)
Toucan Family (Ramphastidae)
Woodpecker Family (Picidae)
Spinetail Family (Furnariidae)
Woodcreeper Family (Dendrocolaptidae)
Antbird Family (Thamnophilidae)
Flycatcher Family (Tyrannidae)
Tityra and Becard Family (Tityridae)
Cotinga Family (Cotingidae)
Manakin Family (Pipridae)
Vireo Family (Vireonidae)
Jay Family (Corvidae)
Swallow Family (Hirundinidae)
Wren Family (Troglodytidae)
Dipper Family (Cinclidae)
Thrush and Robin Family (Turdidae)
Silky-Flycatcher Family (Ptilogonatidae)
Wood-Warbler Family (Parulidae)
Bananaquit Family (Coerebidae)
Tanager Family (Thraupidae)
Seedeater, Finch, and Sparrow Family (Emberizidae)
Saltator and Grosbeak Family (Cardinalidae)
Blackbird, Oriole, and Grackle Family (Icteridae)
Goldfinch, Euphonia, and Chlorophonia Family (Fringillidae)
Glossary
Bibliography
Appendix A. Costa Rica Conservation Organizations, Research Stations, Birding Groups, and Bird Information Sources
Appendix B. Wildlife Tourism Sites and Field Stations Referred to in the Distribution Maps
Appendix C. Costa Rican Trip Preparation Checklist
Appendix D. Travel Tips for a Successful Wildlife Viewing Trip in Costa Rica
Appendix E. Eco-misconceptions about Bird Feeding, Flash Photography, and Sound Recordings
About the Author
Index