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The books are arranged by publication date with the most recent at the top of the page.

South American bird books

For bird books about individual South American countries see the pages:

Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
French Guiana
Guyana
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela

Birds of Northern South America, Volume 1: Identification, Distribution and Taxonomy

Robin Restall, Clemencia Rodner and Miguel Lentino

Christopher Helm

2006

"This is the first comprehensive identification guide dealing exclusively with the birds of this region. It covers all the species, including vagrants, found in Ecuador, Columbia, Venezuela, Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Over 2,250 species are described in depth in the text, describing geographical variation, identification, status, habitat, voice and taxonomy. This authoritative book will not only be an indispensable guide to the visiting birder, but also a vital tool for those engaged in work to conserve and study the avifauna of this region, which is of such importance to both the indigenous species and those which pass through on migration."

Volume1 comprises in-depth text about the birds of the region.

Birds of Northern South America, Volume 2

Robin Restall, Clemencia Rodner and Miguel Lentino

Christopher Helm

2006

"This is the first comprehensive field guide dealing exclusively with the birds of this region. It covers all the species, including vagrants, found in Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Over 2,250 species are accurately illustrated with a total of 6,000 images. Concise caption text appears on the plates and distribution maps appear opposite the plates. This authoritative book will not only be an indispensable guide to the visiting birder, but also a vital tool for those engaged in work to conserve and study the avifauna of this region, which is of such importance to both the indigenous species and those which pass through on migration."

Volume2 comprises the plates and minimal concise text required for field guide use.

Ecology and Management of a Neotropical Rainforest

Lessons drawn from Paracou, a long term experimental research site in French Guiana

Editor: Sylvie Gourlet-Fleury, Jean-Marc Guehl and Olivier Laroussinie

2006

"In this book, 40 authors summarise their experience and results at Paracou. Topics include (i) forest structure and floristic composition; (ii) ecosystem-level carbon dynamics; (iii) light requirements, patterns of water use and root symbiotic status of the main species, (iv) gene flow and genetic diversity; (v) regeneration strategies, growth behaviour and dynamics of stands before and after sylvicultural operations; (vi) modelling of forest dynamics. A final chapter discusses the practical lessons for forest management that have resulted from research operations at Paracou. This book is intended for advanced students and researchers in tropical forestry and ecology, as well as forest managers and decision-makers concerned by the potential impact of human actions on tropical forest ecosystems."

Checklist of the Birds of Northern South America

Clemencia Rodner, Robin Restall and Miguel Lentino

2000

"This checklist, which covers all the species of birds found in Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Trinidad & Tobago, recognizes 2,236 species. For each species, it gives information on subspecies in the region, distribution, altitudinal range, taxonomic notes and references."

Les Oiseaux de Guyane/The Birds of French Guiana

Biologie, Ecologie, Protection, Repartition

O. Tostain, J-L. Dujardin, C. Erard and J-M. Thiollay

1992

Description of 800 species.Some with colour plates or photographs and distribution maps. The bulk of the text is French but with English summaries.