Birds of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao

This guide to the more than 280 bird species seen on Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao is accessible to both beginners and experts. In this work that serves as both a site guide and a field guide to the islands' birds, readers will find excellent maps and illustrations along with detailed bird descriptions. The section on conservation adds awareness of the threats to the birds and to the habitats on which they rely. This reliable and enjoyable resource is recommended to public libraries. -- Thomas E. Baker * American Reference Books Annual * The authors are professional musicians(!), obviously accomplished birders, and well-published authors, and they have produced a really nice book here-although it is not typical of many modern guides. The first 95 pages present detailed information for finding the best birding areas on each island, as well as available amenities (which is very helpful). Approximately 280 species of birds occur in the area, and these are listed and discussed in the middle 190 pages, a considerable departure from text and illustrations occurring on the same page. Species discussions include a brief description, mention of similar species, conservation status, and known range. Following the discussions, 59 attractive color plates contain paintings of all species. The final few pages consider bird conservation on the islands. This book is an absolute must for birders traveling to the islands, but the restricted coverage area will limit desirability for many North American libraries, except those with extensive ornithological holdings. * Choice *

Jeffrey V. Wells is Senior Scientist for the International Boreal Conservation Campaign and Boreal Songbird Initiative and is a Research Associate at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. He is the author of Birder's Conservation Handbook: 100 North American Birds at Risk, coauthor with Allison Childs Wells of Maine's Favorite Birds and Birds of Sapsucker Woods, and editor of Boreal Birds of North America. Allison Childs Wells is Senior Director of Public Affairs at the Natural Resources Council of Maine. She is a widely published natural history writer and contributor of many bird family accounts to Scholastic's New Book of Knowledge. She is coauthor with Jeffrey V. Wells of Maine's Favorite Birds and Birds of Sapsucker Woods. Robert Dean is an acclaimed nature artist who has painted birds for field guides covering all seven countries in Central America.

Introduction The Islands Site Guide Anatomical Features Species Accounts Color Plates Bird Conservation Annotated List of Species