The Birds of Ecuador: Field Guide / Edition 1

by Robert S. Ridgely, Paul J. Greenfield, Frank Gill

Overview

The Birds of Ecuador comprehensively treats the nearly 1600 species of birds that can be found in mainland Ecuador. The authors describe Ecuador this way: "One of the wonders of the natural world. Nowhere else is such incredible avian diversity crammed into such a small country.... Birds are, happily, numerous in many parts of Ecuador: even the downtown parks of the big cities such as Quito and Guayaquil host their complement."

Volume I, Status, Distribution, and Taxonomy, contains detailed information on the ecology, status, and distribution of all species. Introductory chapters deal with geography, climate, and vegetation; bird migration in Ecuador; Ecuadorian ornithology; endemic bird areas in Ecuador; and conservation. Individual species accounts treat habitat, distribution, and taxonomy.

Volume II, Field Guide, contains 96 full-color plates and facing pages of descriptive text, a color map of Ecuador, 2 line drawings of bird anatomy, 115 silhouette outlines, and nearly 1600 distribution maps. All species are illustrated in full color, including migrants and vagrants and visually distinctive subspecies. The text focuses on the field identification aspects of each species, including their behavior, vocalizations, and nest appearance.

The two volumes are available separately or may be purchased as a slipcased set.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801487217
Publisher:	Cornell University Press
Publication date:	07/03/2001
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	880
Sales rank:	525,364
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Robert S. Ridgely is a world-renowned ornithologist at the Academy of Natural Sciences and the author of Birds of Panama and Birds of South America. Paul J. Greenfield has been studying and painting the birds while residing in Ecuador for 28 years. Frank B. Gill is Senior Vice President of Science for the National Audubon Society, former President of the American Ornithologists' Union, and the author of Ornithology.

Table of Contents

Plan of the Book
Beginning With Birds
Color Plates

Tinamiformes
Tinamidae - Tinamous

Podicipediformes
Podicipedidae - Grebes

Sphenisciformes
Spheniscidae - Penguins

Procellariilormes
Diomedeidae - Albatrosses
Procellariidae - Shearwaters and Petrels
Hydrobatidae - Storm-Petrels

Pelecaniformes
Phaethontidae - Tropicbirds
Fregatidae - Frigatebirds
Sulidae - Boobies and Gannets
Phalacrocoracidae - Cormorants and Shags
Anhingidae - Darters
Pelecanidae - Pelicans

Anseriformes
Anhimidae - Screamers
Anatidae - Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Phoenicopteriformes
Phoenicopteridae - Flamingos

Ciconiilormes
Ardeidae - Herons, Bitterns, and Egrets
Threskiornithidae - Ibises and Spoonbills
Ciconiidae - Storks
Cathartidae - American Vultures

Falconiformes
Accipitridae - Kites, Eagles, Hawks, and Osprey
Falconidae - Falcons and Caracaras

Galliformes
Cracidae - Curassows, Guans, and Chachalacas
Odontophoridae - New World Quails

Gruiformes
Rallidae - Rails, Gallinules, and Coots
Eurypygidae - Sunbittern
Heliornithidae - Finfoots
Aramidae - Limpkin
Psophiidae - Trumpeters

Charadriiformes
Jacanidae - Jacanas
Scolopacidae - Sandpipers, Snipes, and Phalaropes
Thinocoridae - Seedsnipes
Burhinidae - Thick-knees
Haematopodidae - Oystercatchers
Recurvirostridae - Stilts and Avocets
Charadriidae - Plovers and Lapwings
Stercorariidae - Skuas and Jaegers
Laridae - Gulls and Terns
Rynchopidae - Skimmers

Columbiformes
Columbidae - Pigeons and Doves

Psillaciformes
Psittacidae - Parrots and Macaws

Cuculiformes
Cuculidae - Cuckoos and Anis
Opisthocomidae - Hoatzin

Slrioiformes
Tytonidae - Barn Owls
Strigidae - Typical Owls

Caprimulgiformes
Steatornithidae - Oilbird
Nyctibiidae - Potoos
Caprimulgidae - Nightjars and Nighthawks

Apodilormes
Apodidae - Swifts
Trochilidae - Hummingbirds

Trogoniformes
Trogonidae - Trogons and Quetzals

Coraciiformes
Alcedinidae - Kingfishers
Momotidae - Motmots

Piciformes
Galbiilidae - Jacamars
Bucconidae - Puffbirds
Capitonidae - New World Barbets
Ramphastidae - Toucans
Picidae - Woodpeckers and Piculets

Passerilormes
Furnariidae - Ovenbirds
Dendrocolaptidae - Woodcreepers
Thamnophilidae - Typical Antbirds
Formicariidae - Antthrushes and Antpittas
Conopophagidae - Gnateaters
Rhinocryptidae - Tapaculos
Tyrannidae - Tyrant Flycatchers
Cotingidae - Cotingas
Pipridae - Manakins
Corvidae - Crows, Jays, and Magpies
Vireonidae - Vireos, Peppershrikes, and Shrike-Vireos
Turdidae - Thrushes
Mimidae - Mockingbirds and Thrashers
Cinclidae - Dippers
Hirundinidae - Swallows and Martins
Troglodytidae - Wrens
Polioptilidae - Gnatcatchers and Gnatwrens
Motacillidae - Pipits and Wagtails
Parulidae - New World Warblers
Thraupidae - Tanagers, Honeycrccpers, Bananaquit, and Plushcap
Cardinalidac - Saltators, Grosbeaks, and Cardinals
Embcnzidae - Emherizine Finches
Icteridae - American Orioles and Blackbirds
Fringillidae - Cardueline Finches
Passeridae - Old World Sparrows

Bibliography
Index of English Names
Index of Scientific Names

What People are Saying About This

Kenn Kaufman

Eagerly awaited though it was, this work surpasses all expectations. On my own past trips into the phenomenal birdland of Ecuador I have longed for good information, and here it is in a double shot: a superb field guide and a thorough reference volume, both indispensable. Robert S. Ridgely and Paul J. Greenfield have done a brilliant job of making this complicated avifauna accessible and understandable for the rest of us. Ornithology, birding, and conservation all stand to benefit tremendously from this landmark work.
—(Kenn Kaufman, author of Focus Guide to the Birds of North America)

Eirik A.T. Blom

"What Ridgely and Greenfield have produced is arguably the most important publication on birds in the region since the appearance of Wetmore's... treatise on the birds of Panama a half-century ago.... The accounts are compacted but chock-full of information, covering status, habitat, field marks, similar species, habits, and voice. Despite the fact that this is a superb field guide,... it is the companion volume that elevates these books to a rarefied standing. This book} consists of accounts for all the species in the field guide.... The second volume makes this set more than just a field guide and handbook. It makes it perhaps the single most important reference for students, professionals, and bird watchers interested in the birds of South America, one that will be a first source for decades."

Dan R. Kunkle

"This long awaited, monumental two volume set reveals the ornithological secrets and diversity of this small Latin American nation.... The two amassed so much information, they could not fit it in one book.... The Birds of Ecuador is an incredible achievement and is most highly recommended."

February 2002 Choice

"This outstanding work is the culmination of a 20-year collaboration between Ridgely... and Greenfield.... Indispensable for those planning to do bird work in Ecuador or surrounding countries. Should be in every library with major holdings on bird life or tropical ecology."

Steve N. G. Howell

A monumental work that sets a new standard for South American bird guides, Birds of Ecuador fills a hug information vacuum. These volumes are a fitting tribute to the authors' passion and commitment to pass on their unparalleled knowledge of one of the world's richest avifaunas. Ecuador's nearly 1600 bird species are here made accessible in a user-friendly format. Birders, ornithologists, and conservationists alike will all benefit from this landmark publication.
—(Steve N. G. Howell, author of A Bird-Finding Guide to Mexico)

Douglas Stotz

Birds of Ecuador is a tremendous and unique resource, not just for people interested in Ecuador, but for anybody interested in the birds of the Andean and Amazonian countries of South America. With its beautiful and accurate plates, fine maps, and detailed habitat descriptions, Volume Two: A Field Guide is full of all that's needed to identify the splendid variety of birds in Ecuador.
—(Douglas Stotz, The Chicago Field Museum of Natural History)

Alex Boss

"The Birds of Ecuador is a monumental guide to the birds of this country and does a remarkable job of describing them all.... Volume 1 of Birds of Ecuador could stand alone as a resource; however, it is completed (and made much more useful) by the accompanying volume 2 with its illustrations, descriptions, and range maps. The two volumes of this title will remain the stand for this country and for other South American bird guides for a long time. It is highly recommended for any research library."

Geoff Carpentier

"Many of us can only long to travel to exotic birding places in South America,... but Ridgely and Greenfield live the dream and generously share it with us through their exquisite writings and paintings.... In summary, this is a thorough and thoughtful production that not only provides useful and complete information, but does so in a user-friendly manner.... The decades-long wait for these volumes has been worth it!"

Editorial Reviews

Many of us can only long to travel to exotic birding places in South America,... but Ridgely and Greenfield live the dream and generously share it with us through their exquisite writings and paintings.... In summary, this is a thorough and thoughtful production that not only provides useful and complete information, but does so in a user-friendly manner.... The decades-long wait for these volumes has been worth it!

Birders Journal

The long awaited The Birds of Ecuador is finally out and the results are well worth the wait. The 2-volume set is a massive piece of work and the authors intended the 2-volume set to be used by both traveling birders and ornithologists.... Both volumes complement each other perfectly and are well worth the price. These volumes add tremendously to the available information of South American avifauna.

Surfbirds Book Reviews

The Birds of Ecuador is a monumental guide to the birds of this country and does a remarkable job of describing them all.... Volume 1 of The Birds of Ecuador could stand alone as a resource; however, it is completed (and made much more useful) by the accompanying volume 2 with its illustrations, descriptions, and range maps. The two volumes of this title will remain the stand for this country and for other South American bird guides for a long time. It is highly recommended for any research library.

E-Streams

This outstanding work is the culmination of a 20-year collaboration between Ridgely... and Greenfield.... Indispensable for those planning to do bird work in Ecuador or surrounding countries. Should be in every library with major holdings on bird life or tropical ecology.

Choice

The Field Guide volume, 'intended primarily for field use,' contains plates, distribution maps, and text geared toward the identification of all the birds of Ecuador (excluding the Galapagos Islands). Its companion, Status, Distribution, and Taxonomy, suggested 'for your library (or hotel room or even car),' covers the occurrence and systematics of these same species. Undoubtedly, the field guide will be the volume most often consulted; an excellent aid for field identification of Ecuadorian birds, it will also be useful in much of Colombia, northern Peru, and western Brazil. Illustrations make or break a field guide. The 96 color plates, all by Greenfield, are vibrant, clear, and very effective. They depict nearly the entire avifauna, including migrants and species known in Ecuador only from a single record. They also show many rarely illustrated plumages (such as in the highly polymorphic hawks and eagles).... The Field Guide will be indispensable to all field biologists and birdwatchers visiting Ecuador and northwestern South America.

Science

What Ridgely and Greenfield have produced is arguably the most important publication on birds in the region since the appearance of Wetmore's... treatise on the birds of Panama a half-century ago.... The accounts are compacted but chock-full of information, covering status, habitat, field marks, similar species, habits, and voice. Despite the fact that this is a superb field guide,... it is the companion volume that elevates these books to a rarefied standing. This book consists of accounts for all the species in the field guide.... The second volume makes this set more than just a field guide and handbook. It makes it perhaps the single most important reference for students, professionals, and bird watchers interested in the birds of South America, one that will be a first source for decades.

Bird Watcher's Digest Staff

This long awaited, monumental two volume set reveals the ornithological secrets and diversity of this small Latin American nation.... The two amassed so much information, they could not fit it in one book.... The Birds of Ecuador is an incredible achievement and is most highly recommended.

Wildlife Activist

The Field Guide volume, 'intended primarily for field use,' contains plates, distribution maps, and text geared toward the identification of all the birds of Ecuador (excluding the Galapagos Islands). Its companion, Status, Distribution, and Taxonomy, suggested 'for your library (or hotel room or even car),' covers the occurrence and systematics of these same species. Undoubtedly, the field guide will be the volume most often consulted; an excellent aid for field identification of Ecuadorian birds, it will also be useful in much of Colombia, northern Peru, and western Brazil. Illustrations make or break a field guide. The 96 color plates, all by Greenfield, are vibrant, clear, and very effective. They depict nearly the entire avifauna, including migrants and species known in Ecuador only from a single record. They also show many rarely illustrated plumages (such as in the highly polymorphic hawks and eagles).... The Field Guide will be indispensable to all field biologists and birdwatchers visiting Ecuador and northwestern South America.

Science

"The Field Guide volume, 'intended primarily for field use,' contains plates, distribution maps, and text geared toward the identification of all the birds of Ecuador (excluding the Galapagos Islands). Its companion, Status, Distribution, and Taxonomy, suggested 'for your library (or hotel room or even car),' covers the occurrence and systematics of these same species. Undoubtedly, the field guide will be the volume most often consulted; an excellent aid for field identification of Ecuadorian birds, it will also be useful in much of Colombia, northern Peru, and western Brazil. Illustrations make or break a field guide. The 96 color plates, all by Greenfield, are vibrant, clear, and very effective. They depict nearly the entire avifauna, including migrants and species known in Ecuador only from a single record. They also show many rarely illustrated plumages (such as in the highly polymorphic hawks and eagles). . . . The Field Guide will be indispensable to all field biologists and birdwatchers visiting Ecuador and northwestern South America."—Thomas S. Schulenberg, Science, September 14, 2001

"What Ridgely and Greenfield have produced is arguably the most important publication on birds in the region since the appearance of Wetmore's . . . treatise on the birds of Panama a half-century ago. . . . The accounts are compacted but chock-full of information, covering status, habitat, field marks, similar species, habits, and voice. Despite the fact that this is a superb field guide, . . . it is the companion volume that elevates these books to a rarefied standing. This book} consists of accounts for all the species in the field guide. . . . The second volume makes this set more than just a field guide and handbook. It makes it perhaps the single most important reference for students, professionals, and bird watchers interested in the birds of South America, one that will be a first source for decades."—Eirik A.T. Blom, Bird Watcher's Digest, November/December 2001

"This long awaited, monumental two volume set reveals the ornithological secrets and diversity of this small Latin American nation. . . . The two amassed so much information, they could not fit it in one book. . . . The Birds of Ecuador is an incredible achievement and is most highly recommended."—Dan R. Kunkle, Wildlife Activist, No. 43, Autumn 2001

"The long awaited Birds of Ecuador is finally out and the results are well worth the wait. The 2-volume set is a massive piece of work and the authors intended the 2-volume set to be used by both traveling birders and ornithologists. . . . Both volumes complement each other perfectly and are well worth the price. These volumes add tremendously to the available information of South American avifauna."—Oscar Carmona. Surfbirds Book Reviews, October 2001

"This outstanding work is the culmination of a 20-year collaboration between Ridgely . . . and Greenfield. . . . Indispensable for those planning to do bird work in Ecuador or surrounding countries. Should be in every library with major holdings on bird life or tropical ecology."—Choice, February 2002

"Many of us can only long to travel to exotic birding places in South America, . . . but Ridgely and Greenfield live the dream and generously share it with us through their exquisite writings and paintings. . . . In summary, this is a thorough and thoughtful production that not only provides useful and complete information, but does so in a user-friendly manner. . . . The decades-long wait for these volumes has been worth it!"—Geoff Carpentier, Birders Journal, Vol. 10, No. 6, December 2001/January 2002

"Eagerly awaited though it was, this work surpasses all expectations. On my own past trips into the phenomenal birdland of Ecuador I have longed for good information, and here it is in a double shot: a superb field guide and a thorough reference volume, both indispensable. Robert S. Ridgely and Paul J. Greenfield have done a brilliant job of making this complicated avifauna accessible and understandable for the rest of us. Ornithology, birding, and conservation all stand to benefit tremendously from this landmark work."—Kenn Kaufman, author of Focus Guide to the Birds of North America

"A monumental work that sets a new standard for South American bird guides, Birds of Ecuador fills a huge information vacuum. These volumes are a fitting tribute to the authors' passion and commitment to pass on their unparalleled knowledge of one of the world's richest avifaunas. Those who have not survived such a project cannot imagine the magnitude of this undertaking —Ecuador's nearly 1600 bird species are here made accessible in a user-friendly format. Birders, ornithologists, and conservationists alike will all benefit from this landmark publication."—Steve N. G. Howell, author of A Bird-Finding Guide to Mexico

"Birds of Ecuador is a tremendous and unique resource, not just for people interested in Ecuador, but for anybody interested in the birds of the Andean and Amazonian countries of South America. With its detailed distributional records and some of the first critical appraisals of the birds' subspecies and ecology, Volume One: Status, Distribution, and Taxonomy is for when you have time to really think about the birds. You won't have to lug this volume to the field with you, but you'll still have a convenient resource with which to find out more about the birds."—Douglas Stotz, The Chicago Field Museum of Natural History

From the Publisher

"The Field Guide volume, 'intended primarily for field use,' contains plates, distribution maps, and text geared toward the identification of all the birds of Ecuador (excluding the Galapagos Islands). Its companion, Status, Distribution, and Taxonomy, suggested 'for your library (or hotel room or even car),' covers the occurrence and systematics of these same species. Undoubtedly, the field guide will be the volume most often consulted; an excellent aid for field identification of Ecuadorian birds, it will also be useful in much of Colombia, northern Peru, and western Brazil. Illustrations make or break a field guide. The 96 color plates, all by Greenfield, are vibrant, clear, and very effective. They depict nearly the entire avifauna, including migrants and species known in Ecuador only from a single record. They also show many rarely illustrated plumages (such as in the highly polymorphic hawks and eagles).... The Field Guide will be indispensable to all field biologists and birdwatchers visiting Ecuador and northwestern South America."

Science - Thomas S. Schulenberg

"The long awaited Birds of Ecuador is finally out and the results are well worth the wait. The 2-volume set is a massive piece of work and the authors intended the 2-volume set to be used by both traveling birders and ornithologists.... Both volumes complement each other perfectly and are well worth the price. These volumes add tremendously to the available information of South American avifauna."

Surfbirds Book Reviews - Oscar Carmona

"What Ridgely and Greenfield have produced is arguably the most important publication on birds in the region since the appearance of Wetmore's... treatise on the birds of Panama a half-century ago.... The accounts are compacted but chock-full of information, covering status, habitat, field marks, similar species, habits, and voice. Despite the fact that this is a superb field guide,... it is the companion volume that elevates these books to a rarefied standing. This book} consists of accounts for all the species in the field guide.... The second volume makes this set more than just a field guide and handbook. It makes it perhaps the single most important reference for students, professionals, and bird watchers interested in the birds of South America, one that will be a first source for decades."

Eirik A.T. Blom

"This outstanding work is the culmination of a 20-year collaboration between Ridgely... and Greenfield.... Indispensable for those planning to do bird work in Ecuador or surrounding countries. Should be in every library with major holdings on bird life or tropical ecology."

February 2002 Choice

"This long awaited, monumental two volume set reveals the ornithological secrets and diversity of this small Latin American nation.... The two amassed so much information, they could not fit it in one book.... The Birds of Ecuador is an incredible achievement and is most highly recommended."

Dan R. Kunkle

"The Birds of Ecuador is a monumental guide to the birds of this country and does a remarkable job of describing them all.... Volume 1 of Birds of Ecuador could stand alone as a resource; however, it is completed (and made much more useful) by the accompanying volume 2 with its illustrations, descriptions, and range maps. The two volumes of this title will remain the stand for this country and for other South American bird guides for a long time. It is highly recommended for any research library."

Alex Boss

"Many of us can only long to travel to exotic birding places in South America,... but Ridgely and Greenfield live the dream and generously share it with us through their exquisite writings and paintings.... In summary, this is a thorough and thoughtful production that not only provides useful and complete information, but does so in a user-friendly manner.... The decades-long wait for these volumes has been worth it!"

Geoff Carpentier

"Eagerly awaited though it was, this work surpasses all expectations. On my own past trips into the phenomenal birdland of Ecuador I have longed for good information, and here it is in a double shot: a superb field guide and a thorough reference volume, both indispensable. Robert S. Ridgely and Paul J. Greenfield have done a brilliant job of making this complicated avifauna accessible and understandable for the rest of us. Ornithology, birding, and conservation all stand to benefit tremendously from this landmark work."

Kenn Kaufman

"Birds of Ecuador is a tremendous and unique resource, not just for people interested in Ecuador, but for anybody interested in the birds of the Andean and Amazonian countries of South America. With its detailed distributional records and some of the first critical appraisals of the birds' subspecies and ecology, Volume One: Status, Distribution, and Taxonomy is for when you have time to really think about the birds. You won't have to lug this volume to the field with you, but you'll still have a convenient resource with which to find out more about the birds."

Douglas Stotz

"A monumental work that sets a new standard for South American bird guides, Birds of Ecuador fills a huge information vacuum. These volumes are a fitting tribute to the authors' passion and commitment to pass on their unparalleled knowledge of one of the world's richest avifaunas. Those who have not survived such a project cannot imagine the magnitude of this undertaking —Ecuador's nearly 1600 bird species are here made accessible in a user-friendly format. Birders, ornithologists, and conservationists alike will all benefit from this landmark publication."

Steve N. G. Howell