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1992 edition of Birds of Panama - still relevant? (1 Viewer)

Fiscalshrike

Well-known member
The Ridgely Birds of Panama looks appealing as it also covers Nicaragua which is on my short list.
However, it looks like the last edition was 1992. Is it relevant or is there an alternate guide for Central America?
I am looking for Panama and Nicaragua in the short term, but also Costa Rica if I can find affordable options.
I have Howell's Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America and some laminated fold outs for Yucatan and Caribbean, but I don't think it is enough.
Thanks for any feedback.
 
A 1992 book obviously is in serious need for taxonomic update and it is an old style field guide, but I think it was the same I used first time I visited Panama, and most birds were recognizable. Text is good.

Alternatives: Angehr and Dean for Panama
Garrigues and Dean for Costa Rica
Fagan for N Central America: https://www.amazon.com/Peterson-Northern-Central-America-Guides/dp/054437326X
For Nicaragua, see this discussion: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=355871&highlight=nicaragua

Niels
 
A 1992 book obviously is in serious need for taxonomic update and it is an old style field guide, but I think it was the same I used first time I visited Panama, and most birds were recognizable. Text is good.

Alternatives: Angehr and Dean for Panama
Garrigues and Dean for Costa Rica
Fagan for N Central America: https://www.amazon.com/Peterson-Northern-Central-America-Guides/dp/054437326X
For Nicaragua, see this discussion: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=355871&highlight=nicaragua

Niels
Thanks Niels.

I have reviewed the Nicaragua thread - which is why I got to thinking of a guide to try and cover where my Howell was falling short. As I doubt I will visit often, I was hoping for a multi country guide (despite potential weaknesses and down falls).
If the Dean guides for Panama or Costa Rica expand to their neighbours, one of those may work. I should review them. But good to know Ridgely's is still useful. I can always update the taxonomy. I do note there are no range maps, and I do like those.
There is actually a new Nicaragua guide due out in May:
https://www.amazon.ca/Birds-Nicarag...1519154419&sr=1-1&keywords=birds+of+nicaragua
Looking at the eBird lists for the regions I was considering to visit, there aren't that many that are not in my other guide books, or already ticked, so a $60 investment per country is more than I choose to do. I could do homework and add details in for those not covered in other books, I suppose. Could be my homework incentive.
Hmm, I guess the other thing to consider is an app that can be used off line while in the field.
 
In my opinion the Van Perlo guide to MX and Cen America is one of the worst "field guides" published and not worth the money even if free :) The current CR and Panamá books (Garrigues and Dean, Angehr and Dean) are excellent, and the new Nicaragua book (Liliana Chavarría-Duriaux et al) should be as well. The recent Northern Central America (Fagan and Komar) is also excellent. Howell's Mexico guide is a bit dated but still very good. The Belize guide is a bit dated but very good. The recent Gallardo Honduras guide is also excellent.

All things considered Central America has a wealth of great books. Except for Gallardo and Howell all are very inexpensive as well. Between Amazon and used offers you should get most of the guides for $25 or less. For instance Amazon in the US is offering Birds of N Central America and Birds of Costa Rica for under $15 each new.
 
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