Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba

Rating:
Summary: What is that bird again?
Review: Excellent and very scientific guide. The descriptions are excellent and all the information extremely useful. It's obvious that the authors are experts in their field. I found the plates top notch and, I'm sure, they will allow quick identification of any bird we see. A couple of defects: The common Spanish name should be included in the plates. Imagine the guide telling you "That's a siju platanero" while the plate only calls it Cuban Pigmy owl!But that is minor compared to the lack of cross-reference from the plate to the text. The other guides I have state the page with the information about the sighted bird. Here you must go through the index or leaf your way to the correct text. Other than that I really enjoyed the book.

Rating:
Summary: Buy in advance
Review: Excellent and vital piece of work for the average bird watcher in Cuba. Please purchase before travelling to Cuba, as in the country itself you'll be unable to find ANY fieldguide on birds!

Rating:
Summary: The long-awaited Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba
Review: Garrido and Kirkconnell's new field guide to the Birds of Cuba fills a niche that has needed filling since Thomas Barbour's The Birds of Cuba, 1923 (not a field guide). This book, however, goes far beyond where Barbour left off. Although untested by most birders, this new work has the potential to be one of the leading birding field guides. If the species accounts, range maps and illustrations prove to be accurate, it will be. The geographical information will be a great aid not only in finding the birds, but also in selecting transportation and appropriate attire. The section, Bird Habitats, (page 10) gives brief but informative treatments on the eco-zones of Cuba mentioning some appropriate plants and the birds found in these habitats. The Endemic Species list (Appendix) gives us insight into a fascinating avifauna. The Endemic Subspecies list that follows could include English names for the sake of parallel structure. I have a feeling that "the splitters" will in the near future add to the species list. The beautiful illustrations by Roman F. Company are enhanced by tantalizing vignettes of the Cuban countryside.

As a student of Cuban natural history for over 35 years, this book whets my appetite for Cuba even more. My first trip to this enticing archipelago, known collectively as Cuba, lies ahead and it will be with my copy of Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba under my arm.

Rating:
Summary: The long-awaited Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba
Review: Garrido and Kirkconnell's new field guide to the Birds of Cuba fills a niche that has needed filling since Thomas Barbour's The Birds of Cuba, 1923 (not a field guide). This book, however, goes far beyond where Barbour left off. Although untested by most birders, this new work has the potential to be one of the leading birding field guides. If the species accounts, range maps and illustrations prove to be accurate, it will be. The geographical information will be a great aid not only in finding the birds, but also in selecting transportation and appropriate attire. The section, Bird Habitats, (page 10) gives brief but informative treatments on the eco-zones of Cuba mentioning some appropriate plants and the birds found in these habitats. The Endemic Species list (Appendix) gives us insight into a fascinating avifauna. The Endemic Subspecies list that follows could include English names for the sake of parallel structure. I have a feeling that "the splitters" will in the near future add to the species list. The beautiful illustrations by Roman F. Company are enhanced by tantalizing vignettes of the Cuban countryside.

As a student of Cuban natural history for over 35 years, this book whets my appetite for Cuba even more. My first trip to this enticing archipelago, known collectively as Cuba, lies ahead and it will be with my copy of Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba under my arm.