A Bird-Finding Guide to Costa Rica

Marked by its superb natural beauty, Costa Rica has the greatest percentage of preserved land of any nation worldwide; nearly a third of the country is protected in national parks, reserves, and refuges. The wildlife that abounds in these tropical areas includes a stunning diversity of more than 820 bird species. In A Bird-Finding Guide to Costa Rica , Barrett Lawson offers detailed information that makes it easy for both expert and novice birders to plan and enjoy an exciting trip to this birders‘ paradise. Lawson describes fifty-three of the best birding destinations in Costa Rica. Birders will appreciate the detailed descriptions of how to bird each area, as well as the site-specific lists: "Target Birds" and "Species to Expect." The site descriptions are structured for ease of use and clarity; each provides a general introduction, exact driving directions, road maps, and lodging information. Other important elements include a general introduction to Costa Rica, an overview of tropical birds, sample itineraries, a comprehensive checklist to the birds of the country, and information about the best locations to find endemics and other sought-after species. The sites are grouped into six regions that reflect general patterns of avian distribution; this helps readers understand Costa Rica‘s complex bird diversity as well as plan a dynamic trip. This useful handbook includes numerous features: details on fifty-three top birding locations from across the country; "Species to Expect" lists inform readers of birds that can be found at featured sites; especially common birds are presented in bold; "Target Birds" lists alert birders to rare and exciting species; all bird lists include plate references to the two most respected field guides, A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica by F. Gary Stiles and Alexander F. Skutch and The Birds of Costa Rica: A Field Guide by Richard Garrigues and Robert Dean (both also published by Cornell); eight sample itineraries and 107 maps are accompanied by information-birding times, driving times, and road indications-that will help readers customize their own itineraries; a complete checklist to the birds of the country with abundance ratings for eight representative sites.