The Birds of South America : Vol. II, The Suboscine Passerines

Rating:
Summary: Who could want for more?
Review: This book is definitely one of the best books about birds I've ever seen. Personal experience, combined with the experience of others, plus a tremendous knowledge of the species, make this book even surpassing the first volume.
Mr. Tudor must have spent at least two lifetimes as well in collections as in the field to present us with these drawings which show both the necessary details and the natural position of the bird. To perform this, you should not only be an excellent painter, but have thorough knowledge of the birds as well.
It's such a pity that apparently they're not succeeding in finishing the series, given the fact that it is eight years since this volume has appeared and the site of the editor states "No release date has been set for the remaining volumes". guess they're too busy observing the birds ;-)

Rating:
Summary: Best Bird Book Ever?
Review: This book ranks as one of the greatest achievements in ornithology ever. It puts in perspective some of the most perplexing and difficult groups of birds with sublime artistry, comprehensive text along with distributional data and beautiful maps. It is a pleasure to have it as a reference even if like the average mortal I may never get a chance to see but a small fraction of the birds covered. Use it as a reference to both plan and make notes before your trip. The vastness of the continent and the diversity of the birdlife of South America is now opened up for all to see; this is the book to launch a thousand expeditions into the bird continent and to make new discoveries.

Rating:
Summary: The definitive work on South American birds
Review: This book, and its companion volume are the first part of a promised 4 volume work on South American avifauna. These books are wonderfully detailed, beautifully illustrated, and worth every penny of the purchase price. I am a bird book fanatic and have enjoyed these books as much as any of the other books in my collection. One of the other reviewers mentioned these as field guides. In my opinion, they are definitely not field guides- way to massive. I imagine myself lugging these two babies through a lost corner of some rainforest in Brazil. They are heavy when dry but once they became soaked, they would probably kill you. These are wonderful books but not field guides. They are reference works written and illustrated by some of the most respected experts in the business.

Rating:
Summary: The best bird book of the decade - an essential reference
Review: This is both a field guide and handbook to the suboscine passerine birds of South America -- the flycatchers, antbirds,and furnariids. The fine color plates by Guy Tudor illustrate at least one species in each genus, and Ridgely'slucid text concisely describes each species. Birders visiting South America will need to make room for this bookand for volume 1, which covers the oscine passerines, i.e,the other perching birds

Rating:
Summary: Can't wait for the remainder of the series.
Review: Title says it all. These are the best books on South American birds available. Hopefully the remainder of the series will come out soon.

Rating:
Summary: Can't wait for the remainder of the series.
Review: Title says it all. These are the best books on South American birds available. Hopefully the remainder of the series will come out soon.