This is the first comprehensive field guide to the birds of the West Indies to appear in more than fifty years. It covers all 564 bird species known to occur in the region (including migrants and infrequently occurring forms). Each species is represented by a full description that includes identification field marks, local names, status, habitat, voice, nesting, range, and comments about the bird. A map showing the bird's distribution accompanies each species account. Plumages of all species are depicted in eighty-six beautifully rendered color plates. Twelve of these plates feature individual endemics from each of twelve islands. Another seven plates feature the island endemics of the largest islands: Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.

Foreword Don R. Eckelberry Acknowledgments Introduction Goal Geographic Coverage Species Coverage Taxonomy Using the Guide Species Accounts Identification Plates Biogeography Oceanic Islands: Barriers to Dispersal Diversity versus Uniqueness Uniqueness: Its Values Past Avifaunas Migration Conservation The Problem Principal Causes of Endangerment and Extinction Island Conservation Status Endangered Species List Descriptive Parts of a Bird Plates Species Accounts Loons (Divers): Gaviidae Grebes: Podicipedidae Shearwaters and Petrels: Procellariidae Storm-Petrels: Hydrobatidae Tropicbirds: Phaethontidae Boobies and Gannets: Sulidae Pelicans: Pelecanidae Cormorants: Phalacrocoracidae Darters: Anhingidae Frigatebirds: Fregatidae Bitterns and Herons: Ardeidae Lbises and Spoonbills: Threskiornithidae Storks: Ciconiidae Flamingos: Phoenicopteridae Swans, Geese and Ducks: Anatidae American Vultures: Cathartidae Ospreys: Pandionidae Kites, Eagles, Hawks and Allies: Accipitridae Caracaras and Falcons: Falconidae Curassows and Guans: Cracidae Partridges, Grouse, Turkeys and Quail: Phasianidae Rails, Gallinules and Coots: Rallidae Limpkins: Aramidae Cranes: Gruidae Thick-knees: Burhinidae Plovers and Lapwings: Charadriidae Oystercatchers: Haematopodidae Stilts and Avocets: Recurvirostrinae Jacanas: Jacanidae Sandpipers, Phalaropes and Allies: Scolopacidae Skuas, Gulls, Terns and Skimmers: Laridae Pigeons and Doves: Columbidae Parakeets, Macaws and Parrots: Psittacidae Cuckoos, Roadrunners and Anis: Cuculidae Barn Owls: Tytonidae Typical Owls: Strigidae Goatsuckers (Nightjars): Caprimulgidae Potoos: Nyctibiidae Swifts: Apodidae Hummingbirds: Trochilidae Trogons: Trogonidae Todies: Todidae Kingfishers: Alcedinidae Woodpeckers and Allies: Picidae Tyrant Flycatchers: Tyrannidae Cotingas: Cotingidae Swallows: Hirundinidae Jays, Magpies and Crows: Corvidae Nuthatches: Sittidae Wrens: Troglodytidae Muscicapids: Muscicapidae Mockingbirds, Thrashers and Allies (Mimic Thrushes): Mimidae Wagtails and Pipits: Motacillidae Waxwings: Bombycillidae Palmchats: Dulidae Starlings and Allies: Sturnidae Vireos: Vireonidae Emberizids: Emberizidae Fringilline and Cardueline Finches and Allies: Fringillidae Old World Sparrows: Passeridae Weavers: Ploceidae Estrildid Finches: Estrildidae Vagrants Selected References: Island Avifaunas Selected References: Bird Family and Regional Identification Guides Locality Checklist Index of English and Scientific Names Index of Local Names