Birds of Nicaragua

Birders in Central America have long known that Nicaragua is one of the best birding locations in the world, and with tourism to the country on the upswing, birders from the rest of the world are now coming to the same conclusion. The largest country in Central America, Nicaragua is home to 763 resident and passage birds, by latest count. Because of its unique topography—the country is relatively flat compared to its mountainous neighbors to the north and south—it forms a geographical barrier of sorts, which means that many birds that originate in North America reach their southernmost point in Nicaragua, while many birds from South America reach their northernmost point in the country. There are few places in the world where you can find both a Roadrunner and a Scarlet Macaw.

Birds of Nicaragua features descriptions and illustrations of all 763 species currently identified in the country, along with information about 44 additional species that are likely to appear in the coming years. Range maps, based on years of field research, are color-coded. Other features include a richly illustrated anatomical features section, a checklist, a visual guide to vultures and raptors in flight, and a quick-find index.

Liliana Chavarría-Duriaux has spent two decades conducting bird surveys throughout the far reaches of Nicaragua. She is Cofounder of El Jaguar Reserve, where she serves as Ornithological Research Director. During the past five years, ornithologist and cartographer David C. Hille has researched the parrot populations of Nicaragua. Robert Dean is an acclaimed nature artist who has painted birds for field guides covering all seven countries in Central America.

Relatively straightforward and exceptionally well done... Libraries with extensive ornithological holdings will want a copy.

A must-have for those birding in Nicaragua!

Viviana Ruiz-Gutierrez, Quantitative Ecologist, Conservation Science and Bird Population Studies, Cornell Lab of Ornithology:

Field guides are one of our best conservation tools—we cannot conserve what we don’t know. From preferred habitat types and features, to specific calls and behaviors, Birds of Nicaragua provides much needed details to aid in the identification of the 763 bird species that make up the rich avifauna of the country. The inclusion of species status, referencing specific types of protected areas and endemic bird regions where species are found, ensures that this guide will make a significant impact on bird conservation for one of the most important regions in Mesoamerica.

Mark Robbins, Collection Manager, Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum, University of Kansas:

Whether you are a Nicaraguan resident or contemplating a visit for the first time, this book is indispensable for learning the birds and the diverse topography and habitats. Nicaragua’s avifauna is vastly underappreciated and this book invites one to participate in adding more information to this ecologically complex and friendly country.

Steve Beissinger, President, American Ornithological Society, and Professor of Conservation Biology, University of California, Berkeley:

This work represents the definitive field guide to Nicaraguan birds for bird watchers and ornithologists alike. It's an important work that will promote ornithology, conservation, and tourism in a country rich with birds at the crossroads of North and South America.