The two companion volumes of this extensive and detailed guide make a groundbreaking contribution to bird guide literature: they not only provide detailed accounts of every known bird species in the vast region from Ecuador to French Guiana but also, for the first time, illustrate virtually every plumage variation in full color. The illustrations include adult males and females where different as well as intermediate plumages, juveniles, subspecies, morphs and other variants, and several hypothetical and unconfirmed species. In all, nearly 6,400 birds are depicted. Black-and-white drawings of significant aspects of plumage or behavior are also provided, as are color maps showing river systems, political boundaries and the confirmed distribution of all the species.

Volume 1 presents extensive species accounts, including information on habitat, vocalization, nomenclature, and the very latest taxonomy to subspecies level. An up-to-date discography lists all published CDs that contain recordings of birds of northern South America. Volume 2, designed for use in the field, contains complete range maps, Robin Restall’s immaculate and jewel-like paintings, and information about specific marks, habitat, and behavior to aid in identification.

Robin Restall is executive director, Clemencia Rodner is research associate, and Miguel Lentino is scientific director at the Phelps Institute for Ornithological Studies, Caracas, Venezuela.