Reviewed Work: A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America

Abstract

After years of using outdated field guides in Mexico and Central America, we awaited the arrival of the Guide to the Birds of Mexico with great anticipation. The guide is lengthy, totaling 851 pages and 71 plates full of illustrations. Its 87-page introductory section presents brief but useful treatments of geography, climate, habitats, migration, ornithological history, conservation, birding, taxonomy, molts and plumages, structure of the species accounts, and a glossary of important terms. Species accounts include separate sections on identification, voice, habits and habitats, similar species, status and distribution within Mexico, general range, and range maps. Most, but not all, species are illustrated in the color plates, which are made more useful by brief notes regarding distribution, habitats, and field marks on the facing pages. We found much material deserving of comment regarding the Guide, which falls into three general categories: as a field guide, a taxonomic treatment, and a distributional summary.