The shimmering quetzals, gaudy macaws, and comical toucans that populate tourism posters only begin to hint at the impressive avian diversity to be found throughout this small country. It’s small and easy to carry, includes accurate illustrations and solid distribution maps to aid in correctly identifying everything you see. Since 1981, he has lived in Costa Rica, where for more than twenty years he has been leading birding and natural history tours.

Early on the authors include maps of four common distributional patterns of bird species (humid lowlands, dry lowlands, foothills, and highlands), which are particularly useful for users who are not familiar with Costa Rica’s topography, or ecotourists planning a vacation to hit the major biome types. The text and maps have been fully updated to ensure that this guide is the definitive field guide for anyone visiting Costa Rica. I think that most birders will appreciate this “pioneering” approach, along with the common name suggestions for their new species. Simply stated, it is a very fine book, meeting all the established criteria for a successful modern field guide, and in many instances exceeding them. The text is very brief with around 50 words to cover the main identification features and habitat preferences, and a big plus factor is the inclusion of colour distribution maps.

Keeping up with taxonomic thinking in the neotropics is a nightmare, and compared to other recent field guides in the region this one is very conservative in its approach.

Ever since Helm published A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica in 1989 the stream of birders heading to Costa Rica has been steady.Species’ distribution maps are quite generalized but including San José and gridlines on each map improves interpretability. Graced with bounteous natural beauty, a stable democratic government, and friendly citizens, Costa Rica has become a popular destination for travelers from all over the world. I did note that the guides who accompany you on various jungle walks all had well thumbed copies of this book so must be the best one out there! Appendix A deals with Cocos Island, a place we all wish to go to but never will, and its unique species.