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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

Field Guide to the Birds of Suriname

Arie L. Spaans, Otte H. Ottema, Jan Hein J.M. Ribot

E.J. Brill

2016

"By the end of 2014, 746 species (including 760 subspecies) were known to occur in Suriname. Most of the land area of Suriname is still covered with tropical rainforest and the country should be a must-visit for birdwatchers. Suriname is even mentioned as being the best country to spot certain neotropical species. Surprisingly, few birders visit Suriname. The main reason given is the lack of a handy pocket guide that can easily be carried in a backpack. The Field Guide to the Birds of Suriname (with its 107 color plates) tries to fill this gap. In addition to species accounts, data on topography, climate, geology, geomorphology, biogeography, avifauna composition, conservation, and hotspots for bird watching are given. So, why delay your trip to this beautiful and friendly country any longer.

Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Suriname

Otte H. Ottema, Jan Hein J.M. Ribot and Arie L. Spaans

2009

A checklist of the 739 species and subspecies recorded in Suriname with notes on habitat, status, abundance, migration and conservation.

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.

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."

Birds Of Suriname

Francois Haverschmidt and G.F. Mees

1994

"A completely rewritten and enlarged edition of Haverschmidt's earlier work, Birds of Surinam (Oliver & Boyd, 1968). This major reference work describes 668 species, the entire Surinam avifauna, and will also be invaluable for all of the Guianas. Text covers identification, habitat, nesting and ranges, as well as family descriptions, breeding data and references. Introductory chapters cover climate, topography, a review of the avifauna, migration, nomenclature, and conservation in Suriname."

Birds Of Surinam: An Annotated Checklist

Paul K. Donahue and Jan Erik Pierson

A 30 page checklist.

Birds Of Surinam

Francois Haverschmidt

1968

A guide to 600 species of birds recorded in Surinam. 40 colour plates show over 400 species. Subsequently revised in 1994.