The richness and diversity of Cuban birdlife features 354 recorded species that represent 20 orders and 60 families. The 21 living endemic species include the charming Cuban Tody, the striking and elegant Cuban Trogon (the national bird), the colorful Cuban Green Woodpecker, and the smallest of all birds, the Bee Hummingbird.
This compact and portable field reference will help Cubans, visitors from abroad, and bird enthusiasts identify and enjoy the island's avifauna. The 51 color plates and 662 images accurately illustrate male, female, and juvenile plumages (in some cases for the first time). Many migratory species are depicted in both winter and breeding colors, providing a glimpse of many common North American birds as they appear when away from northern surroundings. In the comprehensive Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba Orlando H. Garrido and Arturo Kirkconnell share their vast wealth of knowledge about birds—and habitats—that are too little known.
Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba contains:
•Species accounts including habitat descriptions, similar species, range, status, nesting and feeding habits, and vocalizations.•Checklists of endemic species and subspecies.•Background on the geography, climate, geology, paleontology, and natural history of Cuba.•144 maps that show regional boundaries and vegetative habitats as well as the local distribution of each species.
"1103114466"
Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba
The richness and diversity of Cuban birdlife features 354 recorded species that represent 20 orders and 60 families. The 21 living endemic species include the charming Cuban Tody, the striking and elegant Cuban Trogon (the national bird), the colorful Cuban Green Woodpecker, and the smallest of all birds, the Bee Hummingbird.
This compact and portable field reference will help Cubans, visitors from abroad, and bird enthusiasts identify and enjoy the island's avifauna. The 51 color plates and 662 images accurately illustrate male, female, and juvenile plumages (in some cases for the first time). Many migratory species are depicted in both winter and breeding colors, providing a glimpse of many common North American birds as they appear when away from northern surroundings. In the comprehensive Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba Orlando H. Garrido and Arturo Kirkconnell share their vast wealth of knowledge about birds—and habitats—that are too little known.
Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba contains:
•Species accounts including habitat descriptions, similar species, range, status, nesting and feeding habits, and vocalizations.•Checklists of endemic species and subspecies.•Background on the geography, climate, geology, paleontology, and natural history of Cuba.•144 maps that show regional boundaries and vegetative habitats as well as the local distribution of each species.
The richness and diversity of Cuban birdlife features 354 recorded species that represent 20 orders and 60 families. The 21 living endemic species include the charming Cuban Tody, the striking and elegant Cuban Trogon (the national bird), the colorful Cuban Green Woodpecker, and the smallest of all birds, the Bee Hummingbird.
This compact and portable field reference will help Cubans, visitors from abroad, and bird enthusiasts identify and enjoy the island's avifauna. The 51 color plates and 662 images accurately illustrate male, female, and juvenile plumages (in some cases for the first time). Many migratory species are depicted in both winter and breeding colors, providing a glimpse of many common North American birds as they appear when away from northern surroundings. In the comprehensive Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba Orlando H. Garrido and Arturo Kirkconnell share their vast wealth of knowledge about birds—and habitats—that are too little known.
Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba contains:
•Species accounts including habitat descriptions, similar species, range, status, nesting and feeding habits, and vocalizations.•Checklists of endemic species and subspecies.•Background on the geography, climate, geology, paleontology, and natural history of Cuba.•144 maps that show regional boundaries and vegetative habitats as well as the local distribution of each species.
Orlando H. Garrido and Arturo Kirkconnell are Curators, National Museum of Natural History of Cuba. Lester Short is emeritus director of the department of ornithology at the American Museum of Natural History.
Table of Contents
Foreword
xi
Preface
xiii
Acknowledgments
xv
Introduction
1
About Cuba
1
Geographic Statistics on the Cuban Archipelago
Climate
Origin of Cuba
Fossil Birds
Derivation of Cuba's Avifauna
Migration
Cuban Ornithology
Conservation
Bird-watching in Cuba
Where to Focus Attention on Birds
Bird Habitats
Using this Guide
15
Families
Species
Description
Similar Species
Range
Status
Habitat
Nesting
Voice
Food
Illustrations
Maps
Checklist
Species accounts
21
Loons: Gaviidae
21
Grebes: Podicipedidae
21
Petrels and Shearwaters: Procellariidae
23
Storm-Petrels: Hydrobatidae
25
Tropicbirds: Phaethontidae
26
Boobies and Gannets: Sulidae
28
Pelicans: Pelecanidae
30
Cormorants: Phalacrocoracidae
31
Darters: Anhingidae
33
Frigatebirds: Fregatidae
34
Bitterns and Herons: Ardeidae
35
Ibises and Spoonbills: Threskiornithidae
44
Storks: Ciconiidae
47
American Vultures: Cathartidae
47
Flamingos: Phoenicopteridae
49
Swans, Geese, and Ducks: Anatidae
50
Kites and Hawks: Accipitridae
64
Caracaras and Falcons: Falconidae
71
Pheasants, Quails, and Guineafowl: Phasianidae
73
Rails, Gallinules, and Coots: Rallidae
75
Limpkins: Aramidae
83
Cranes: Gruidae
83
Plovers: Charadriidae
84
Oystercatchers: Haematopodidae
88
Stilts and Avocets: Recurvirostridae
89
Jacanas: Jacanidae
90
Sandpipers and Phalaropes: Scolopacidae
91
Jaegers, Skuas, Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers: Laridae
104
Auks: Alcidae
118
Pigeons and Doves: Columbidae
119
Parakeets and Parrots: Psittacidae
128
Cuckoos and Anis: Cuculidae
130
Barn Owls: Tytonidae
133
Typical Owls: Strigidae
134
Goatsuckers: Caprimulgidae
138
Swifts: Apodidae
141
Hummingbirds: Trochilidae
144
Trogons: Trogonidae
146
Todies: Todidae
147
Kingfishers: Alcedinidae
147
Woodpeckers: Picidae
148
Tyrant Flycatchers: Tyrannidae
152
Vireos: Vireonidae
161
Crows: Corvidae
166
Swallows: Hirundinidae
168
Wrens: Troglodytidae
172
Kinglets: Regulidae
173
Gnatcatchers: Sylviidae
174
Thrushes: Turdidae
175
Mockingbirds and Thrashers: Mimidae
180
Starlings: Sturnidae
182
Waxwings: Bombycillidae
183
Wood-Warblers: Parulidae
183
Bananaquits: Coerebidae
203
Tanagers: Thraupidae
204
Grassquits and Sparrows: Emberizidae
207
Grosbeaks and Buntings: Cardinalidae
215
Bobolinks, Blackbirds, Meadowlarks, Grackles, and Cowbirds: Icteridae
This is an impressive piece of work, an exceptionally complete field guide to the birds of Cuba, a valuable book that will fill a void in the literature that has existed for a long time, written by folks who know Cuban birding best.
Davis W. Finch
The first book entirely devoted to Cuba's birds to appear in eighty years, Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba is a serious work in the tradition of Don Ramón de la Sagra, Johannes Gundlach and Thomas Barbour. With vast amounts of new information, range maps, and admirable illustrations, it is at once a summation of Cuban ornithology and an excellent field guide.
James W. Wiley
Based on their lifetimes of work in their native country, Orlando Garrido and Arturo Kirkconnell have crafted a truly complete, self-contained guide that will be essential to all those seeking to enjoy Cuba's exciting birdlife.
Guy M. Kirwan
Cuba is the largest and, arguably, ornithologically most interesting of the Caribbean islands. This guide, the first to comprehensively tackle the identification, status and range of all birds found in the archipelago, will be welcomed by aficionados of this stunning country; that it is the product of an all-Cuban team is a double triumph.