Beautifully illustrated with color plates and line drawings, this comprehensive review of trogons and quetzals -- the first to be published in more than 150 years -- covers all thirty-nine extant species. This up-to-date survey will serve as a valuable reference for ornithologists, conservationists, aviculturalists, and birdwatchers worldwide.

This is the definitive natural history of the spectacularly beautiful tropical birds known as the trogons, a family that includes the legendary Resplendent Quetzal, the sacred bird of the ancient Mayans and Aztecs. A collaboration between renowned ornithologist Joseph Forshaw and eminent bird artist Albert Gilbert, Trogons combines science and art to create an unprecedented picture of a threatened bird family. Forshaw's text provides the most authoritative and comprehensive account of the trogons ever written, and Gilbert's stunning paintings are the first to accurately depict all species of trogons in their natural habitats and true colors. The book's detailed synthesis of current knowledge about the trogons is enriched by Forshaw's personal field observations in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Americas, while Gilbert's meticulous artwork is based on fieldwork in the same areas. With its large format, more than 40 full-color plates, and state-of-the-art five-color printing, this limited-edition book promises to become a classic and a collector's item. Despite their long association with human culture, trogons remain poorly known. Much of the existing ecological information comes from studies of a few neotropical species undertaken in the 1930s and 1940s by Alexander Skutch in Costa Rica and Guatemala, and more recent field studies of the Elegant Trogon at the northern extremity of the range. There have been longstanding uncertainties about the relations and origins of trogons. Kingfishers and their allies have often been nominated as the trogons' closest allies and a New World origin was assumed because most trogon species are now found in the neotropics. However, recent studies have supported placing trogons in a separate order--Trogoniformes--with possible affinities to the African mousebirds, and there is some evidence for an Old World origin. At a time when researchers and fieldworkers are showing increasing interest in the trogons, and when tropical forests, the home of most trogon species, are threatened by logging and land clearing, this book is intended to not only summarize and advance knowledge about trogons but also to draw attention to the urgent need to protect these magnificent birds by safeguarding the habitats so critical to their continued survival. Trogons is an essential volume for libraries, birders, conservationists, ornithologists, eco-tourists, and collectors of fine bird books. Text by renowned ornithologist Joseph Forshaw provides the most authoritative and comprehensive account of the trogons ever written Paintings by eminent bird artist Albert Gilbert accurately depict for the first time all trogon species in their natural habitats and true colors More than 80 color and black-and-white illustrations, including a foldout color plate of the Resplendent Quetzal, the sacred bird of the ancient Mayans and Aztecs Large format and state-of-the-art five-color printing Edition limited to 700 copies in the United States and 1,400 copies worldwide An essential volume for libraries, birders, conservationists, ornithologists, eco-tourists, and collectors of fine bird books

Describing all of Colombia's birds, Steven Hilty and William Brown bring together information on one of the world's largest avifaunas-nearly 1,700 species. Over half of all the species of birds in South America are included, thus making the book useful in regions adjacent to Colombia, as well as in the country itself. The primary purpose of the work is to enable observers to identify the birds of the region, but it also provides detailed species accounts and will serve as an important handbook and reference volume. Fifty-six lavish color plates, thirteen halftone plates, and ninety-nine line drawings in the text illustrate over 85% of the species, including most of the resident birds. Notes on the facing-page of each place, and range maps of 1,475 species, facilitate identification. Written with the field observer in mind, the text gives special attention to comparisons of similar species, transcriptions of voices, and comments on behavior, status, and habitat. It also provides ranges, breeding data, and references. Notes outline taxonomic problems and briefly describe species that eventually may be found in Colombia. Introductory chapters and photographs highlight Colombia's geography, climate, and vegetation, and discuss migration and conservation questions, and the history of Colombian ornithology. Appendices contain a large bibliography, a section on birding locations, and coverage of two of Colombia's far-flung island territories, Isla San Andr s and Providencia. Maps depicting vegetation zones, political boundaries, national parks, and the most text localities are included.

The definitive field guide to the rich avifauna of Ecuador. This up-to-date and comprehensive guide to the birds of mainland Ecuador is a valuable resource for anyone exploring the mountains, forests and wetlands of this incredibly bird-rich country. With thousands of beautiful and detailed paintings, accompanied by concise descriptions and accurate maps, this is an indispensable guide to bird identification in Ecuador. It covers every species and most subspecies recorded in Ecuador, including migrants and vagrants, with accurate and up-to-date distribution maps. There are also 291 colour plates included, which illustrate more than 1,630 species, with text on facing pages for quick and easy reference. Concise text provides an overview of the species' identification, voice, habits, habitats, range, distribution and status.

What is a Trogon? Where is it found? Birders will have no problem with these questions. Even though this elegantly beautiful bird is rare, it is highly distinguishable due to its brilliant plumage and conspicuous voice. Author Richard Cachor Taylor has spent many hours, days, and weeks in the mountains of Southern Arizona researching this elusive bird. In this book, he shares information from these searches. He also shares his findings and sightings of the Eared Trogon, an even more elusive species of the Trogon.

Doctor David Cooper is studying birds in a Mexican rainforest when he collects a Collared Trogon, a species of bird that is rare in that region. The bird falls between the buttress roots of a large tree. As David reaches down to pick it up, he cuts his hand on a sharp object imbedded in a root. With the help of his camp assistant, he digs the object out and finds that it is a shiny metal cube. Back at camp, he discovers that the weight of the cube is ten times that of an equivalent volume of uranium, the heaviest known stable metal. He calls a professor friend and is directed to a specialist in Fort Collins, Colorado. In Colorado, David comes under the protection of Rocky Mountain Investigations, under an FBI contract. But things go dramatically off course when the specialist is suddenly murdered and the cube stolen. With the help of two of RMI's investigators, David learns the probable location of his cube and pursues it, running afoul of a Mexican crime boss and nearly losing his life in the process. Will David succeed in avoiding danger and turning the tables on the criminals who have stolen the cube? Find out in the compelling conclusion of Legacy of a Trogon.

From the discovery of the fossil Archaeopteryx to more than 10,000 different documented species today, birds have become the second most diversified class of vertebrates on Earth. Birds have evolved extensively since they first emerged in prehistoric times--but that diversity could dwindle and even vanish unless we take steps to conserve their habitats, ensuring that they sustain their numbers and their variety. This natural history of birds starts in the distant past--going back to the Jurassic, Cretaceous and Paleogene periods--in order to get a broader understanding of the birds that we see today. Chapters cover their lives, breeding, flight, migration and more, while also highlighting some especially unique bird fossils, such as the Pelagornis Sandersi, which had a wingspan of more than 20 feet. Also included are chapters on the loss of needed habitats, the current decline of native birds, and what can be done to reverse it.

The bestselling natural history of birds, lavishly illustrated with 600 colorphotos, is now available for the first time in flexi binding.

The ultimate photographic guide to the birds of western Ecuador Western Ecuador is famed for its astonishingly diverse birdlife, from colorful hummingbirds and outrageous toucans to more difficult groups like raptors, flycatchers, and ovenbirds. Here is the ultimate photographic guide to the spectacular birds of this region. Featuring nearly 1,500 stunning color photos of 946 species, this richly detailed and taxonomically sophisticated field guide will help you with even the toughest identification challenges. Species accounts, photos, and color distribution maps appear side by side, making it easier than ever to find what you are looking for, whether you are in the field or preparing for your trip. Features nearly 1,500 photos of 946 species Includes facing-page species accounts, photos, and maps Provides photos of multiple plumages for many species Helps you to differentiate between similar species