The Bottom Line
A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Jamaica is the ideal field guide for anyone birding in Jamaica. Beautifully designed and meticulously detailed, this book is a thorough field guide and admirable reference for all of Jamaica's birds, with a convenient size for comfortable use at all of this Caribbean nation's birding hotspots.
Pros
- Multiple high quality photos of most bird species.
- Introduction includes birding hotspots and tips for Jamaica birders.
- Appendices include vagrant birds and endemic checklists.
Cons
- Binding can be fragile and cracks easily under heavy use.
- No visual tabs or headers for bird families makes navigation difficult.
Description
- Title: A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Jamaica
- Authors: Ann Haynes-Sutton, Audrey Downer and Robert Sutton
- Publisher: Princeton University Press
- Publication Date: November, 2009
- Format: Paperback
- Bird Artwork: Photography
- Dimensions: 7.5" (19.1 cm) tall, 4.75" (12.1 cm) wide, .75" (1.9 cm) thick
- Page Count: 304
- ISBN: 978-0-691-14391-0
- Price: $29.95
Guide Review - A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Jamaica
Wonderfully colorful and informative, A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Jamaica is a birder's best reference no matter where in Jamaica they may be birding. Comprehensive profiles for every bird species in the country, including both resident species and migrating visitors, feature multiple high quality photographs showing birds from different angles and in different habitats. The written descriptions that accompany the book's hundreds of photographs cover detailed information including local bird names, comparisons to similar species, preferred habitats, behavior and key field marks for identification. Range maps for each species are located with the relevant profiles and are shaded in different colors to indicate whether a bird is a resident, winter migrant or summer migrant, as well as how common or uncommon they are in any given range.
In addition to being a remarkable field guide, this book includes a 30-page introduction that discusses basic information about Jamaica and a more detailed overview of the country's avifauna and various birding habitats. A hotspot map is particularly useful, and the introduction also features general tips about birding in Jamaica and how to use the field guide most effectively.
The book's appendices are useful, especially the checklist of the endemic birds of Jamaica and endemic subspecies for birders interested in seeing all of the country's specialties. There is no overall checklist for all of Jamaica's birds, however. Other appendices include brief descriptions of possible vagrant birds and a list of plants mentioned in the text.
The book's slim binding and compact dimensions make it perfect for field use without handling difficulties, but the binding can be frail and may crack or fall apart with heavy use, particularly in Jamaica's tropical climate. Birders who wish to use the guide as a reference may choose to purchase two copies, one to keep in superb condition and another to use in the field.
A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Jamaica is an exceptional addition to any birder's library, whether or not they plan to try birding in Jamaica. The beautiful photographs and informative text make this book a valuable reference, while its handy size and comprehensive lists are ideal for field work. Despite a delicate binding, this book is one that will be treasured for as long as birds are flying in Jamaica's skies.
