Birds of Western Ecuador A Photographic Guide

About this book

Western Ecuador is famed for its astonishingly diverse birdlife, from colorful hummingbirds and outrageous toucans to more difficult groups like raptors, flycatchers, and ovenbirds. Here is the ultimate photographic guide to the spectacular birds of this region. Featuring nearly 1,500 stunning color photos of 946 species, this richly detailed and taxonomically sophisticated field guide will help you with even the toughest identification challenges. Species accounts, photos, and color distribution maps appear side by side, making it easier than ever to find what you are looking for, whether you are in the field or preparing for your trip.

Contents

INTRODUCTION 7
Region Covered 9
Range Maps 9
Format of the Species Accounts 11
Taxonomy 11
Conservation 12
Habitats 13
Elevational Zones 19
Bird Topography 20

SPECIES ACCOUNTS 23
Tinamous 24
Guans, Chachalacas, Curassows, and Screamer 26
New-World Quails, Whistling-Ducks 30
Ducks 30
Grebes 36
Storks 36
Albatrosses 38
Petrels and Shearwaters 38
Storm-petrels 38
Tropicbirds 40
Flamingos 40
Ibises and Spoonbills 40
Herons, Bitterns, and Egrets 42
Frigatebirds 48
Pelicans 48
Boobies 50
Anhinga 54
Cormorants 54
Vultures 56
Osprey 58
Kites, Hawks, and Eagles 58
Falcons and Caracaras 82
Rails, Gallinules, and Coots 90
Limpkin 96
Stilts 96
Oystercatchers 96
Sunbittern 96
Thick-knees 96
Jacanas 98
Lapwings and Plovers 98
Seedsnipes 102
Snipes, Sandpipers, and Related Shorebirds 102
Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers 114
Pigeons and Doves 124
Parakeets, Parrots, and Macaws 132
Cuckoos and Anis 140
Owls 144
Nighthawks and Nightjars 152
Potoos 156
Oilbird 156
Swifts 158
Hummingbirds 162
Quetzals and Trogons 196
Kingfishers 202
Motmots 204
Jacamars 204
Puffbirds 204
New World Barbets 208
Toucan Barbet 208
Aracaris and Toucans 210
Woodpeckers 214
Ovenbirds (Furnariids) and Woodcreepers 222
Antbirds 242
Antthrushes 254
Antpittas 256
Tapaculos 260
Crescentchest 260
Tyrant Flycatchers 264
Tityras and Becards 302
Sapayoa 306
Cotingas and Fruiteaters 308
Pihas 314
Mourners 314
Manakins 316
Schiffornis 318
Peppershrikes and Vireos 320
Greenlets, Gnatcatchers, and Gnatwrens 322
Mockingbirds 324
Jays 324
Dippers 324
Martins and Swallows 326
Wrens 332
Solitaires and Thrushes 338
Euphonias and Chlorophonias 344
Siskins 348
Goldfinches and Pipits 350
New World Warblers 350
Oropendolas, Orioles, and Blackbirds 360
Bush-tanagers (Chlorospinguses) 366
Piranga Tanagers 368
Tanagers 370
Bananaquit 386
Dacnises 390
Honeycreepers 392
Hemispinguses 394
Tit-like Dacnis 394
Conebills 396
Flowerpiercers 396
Sparrows 400
Chestnut Munia 400
Brush-finches 402
Tanager Finch 406
Plushcap 406
Sierra-finches 408
Slaty Finch 408
Sicalis Finches 410
Crimson-breasted Finch 410
Grassquits 412
Warbling-finches 412
Seed-finches and Seedeaters 414
Grosbeaks 420
Saltators 422

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 424
APPENDIX I: SPECIES NOT INCLUDED 425
APPENDIX II: PHOTOGRAPHER CREDITS 428
GLOSSARY 431
SPECIES INDEX (ENGLISH AND SCIENTIFIC NAMES) 434

Customer Reviews

Biography

Nick Athanas is cofounder of the tour company Tropical Birding. He leads bird tours throughout the Neotropics and has photographed more than 2,500 bird species.

Paul J. Greenfield is a longtime resident of Ecuador, where he leads bird tours and is active in bird conservation. He is the coauthor and illustrator of The Birds of Ecuador.

Iain Campbell is cofounder of Tropical Birding. Pablo Cervantes Daza, Andrew Spencer, and Sam Woods are tour guides with Tropical Birding.