Book Review - Birds of Central America - Princeton University Press

     The premise for this work is rooted in the sound logic that avifaunal overlap in the various political units of Central America defies national boundaries, with many species being present in all seven countries. It makes sense, therefore, to have one field guide covering the entire region.

     The opening sections follow the time-honoured traditions of field guides, explaining the scope of the book in the introductory comments, with notes as to taxonomy, the rationale for the design of the maps and other generic comments. A conventional diagram depicting bird topography is included and, though we have been exposed to this artifice so many times, it remains a valuable tool. It must be especially helpful to enthusiasts new to recreational birding but lacking in detailed knowledge of feather tracts and other aspects of avian morphology.
     There is an important chapter dedicated to the geography of Central America and herein lies the core reason for grouping the countries of the region together. From the standpoint of bird populations, they are defined by similar physical and climatic features, with political boundaries meaning nothing to highly mobile birds seeking to maximize their life styles and breeding opportunities. Pacific lowland dry forest in southern Guatemala is little different from the same ecosystem in neighbouring El Salvador. Many species found here will also be discovered in the dry forests of Guanacaste in Costa Rica.
     The illustrations in the book are well done, but the biggest issue I have is the quality of reproduction. I am not sure whether it is by design, or whether the printer forgot to crank up his ink, but looking at many of the pages is like peering through gauze.

     The birds look flat, greyish and washed out. The pages that I include here actually look brighter than the book. Take for example the Jabiru above. While the head is factually not entirely black it appears to be so to the field observer, especially in bright sunshine when it appears glossy black and the throat so deep a red as to resemble blood. I have carefully checked my photographs of this species, and several other references, and universally this is true.
     Look at the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher below. 

          While this species is not gaudy, being in fact an artist's palette of subtlety, it nevertheless leaves one breathless when first viewing its understated beauty. The picture above fails to capture this.
      Similar comments might be made about the images below.

     The book is overall a great addition to the ever-growing compendium of first rate field guides, and the less than perfect plates should not deter potential buyers who would find this work useful. Whenever I coach beginning birders I always tell them that a field guide is exactly what it says - a guide. Use it wisely, but take into account all other aspects of the sighting - habitat, time of year, location, behaviour etc. And remember, just as in humans, minor variations occur all the time and even the play of light and shade can cause colour to appear different.
      The book weighs in at a hefty 1,395 grams (about 3 lb) but given its coverage this is not unreasonable and carried in a suitable pouch across the shoulder should present no problem toting it in the field.
      In January I will be going to Costa Rica and in April to Panama so I will have a great opportunity to give it a workout in the field. I will look forward to the pleasure.

Birds of Central America: Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Andrew C. Vallely and Dale Dyer
Paperback - $49.0 - 9780691138022 - 584 pages - 6" x 9"
Publication date: 16 October 2018