Birds of the West Indies

“The collaborators on this book are to be congratulated for a superb finished product replete with an all-weather flexi cover. Any criticism of the small print size is outweighed by the sheer volume of information and attention to detail. /…/ The West Indies region provides birders with the opportunity to see a huge range of endemics. This book will be snapped up by those who have already experienced the region’s incredible bird diversity and will be an invaluable addition to the luggage of those now eager to visit.”

Andrew Le Fleming Dobson, The Journal of Caribbean Ornithology, Vol. 32:101–102. 2019

“Species accounts of around 150 words discuss status, habitat and behaviour, age, sex and geographical variation and voice. Over 1,600 illustrations by 29 artists cover all of the species and distinctive subspecies, and for some families birds are shown in flight. Breeding and non-breeding plumages are shown in many cases and a QR code for each species links to the Internet Bird Collection gallery of photos, videos and sounds. There are around 650 full-colour distribution maps for all species other than the rarest vagrants. /…/ This is another well-designed and fact-filled guide from Lynx. I am sure James Bond would have been impressed.

Keith Betton, British Birds, 6 February 2020

“This new guide, very up to date (rare species status updated through early 2019), provides improved detail on typical subspecies. It covers just over 700 species, nearly 190 of which are endemic. Around twenty “hypothetical” species are also included—though they would have been better placed in the appendix dedicated to unconfirmed records. This guide will appeal to a wide audience, and it is worth celebrating the involvement of a French contributor: Anthony Levesque, one of the most knowledgeable birders in the Caribbean arc”

Pierre Yésou, Ornithos, 26-6 : 308-309 (2019)

“As expected, the status of each species is fully up to date, and it seems that great effort has been made to compile scattered records. The sections on age and sex identification, as well as geographic variation, vocalizations, and similar species, are quite thorough. In my opinion, this is the main strength of the guide and the area in which it clearly stands out from the rest.”

Yeray Seminario, Ardeola 67(1), 2020

“The Caribbean Islands known as the West Indies have been the focus of a considerable number of bird field guides, more than for most regions of the world. None, however, really compare to the excellence of the new Birds of the West Indies. The authors, experts on the birds of this region, should be congratulated for producing such an outstanding book. In the introduction, the authors state their aim to produce a book that is not only attractive and portable, but is scientifically accurate and discusses the key identification issues – in this I believe they have probably exceeded expectations. /…/ For serious birders visiting these islands, Birds of the West Indies will undoubtedly prove to be indispensable, even for visits to single islands in the region. It is compact enough to carry in a small bag, comprehensive in its coverage, easy to use, competently illustrated, and up-to-date. What more could you want?!”

Frank Lambert, The Birder’s Library, 23 January 2020

“The layout follows general practice with modern field guides with detailed but clear entries covering all important aspects of the species in question. /…/ Especially useful, given the variation between islands, is the coverage of subspecies both in text, images and on the range maps with taxonomy following the Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World.

It is an excellent contribution to furthering ornithology in the region and I would highly recommend it if you’re considering a birding trip to the West Indies.”

Hugh Hanmer, British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), August 2019

“Usually, I like to weigh both pros and cons for each field guide I review, but this book poses a problem for me: I couldn’t find any cons! Oddly, a worthy conclusion on this publications comes from its authors, in the Introduction. As they say, this is a “guide that builds on the best traditions of those that preceded us; consequently, we have aimed for a book that is at once attractive, portable and discusses many of the key identification issues, but is also scientifically accurate, in the best traditions of James Bond.”

Dragan Simic, www.10000birds.com, 15 August 2019

“RECOMMENDATION: A must have for those birding the West Indies!

Ian Paulsen,The Birdbooker Report, 3 August 2019

“Pour cette vaste région, vingt-neuf points chauds sont commentés. Les cartes de répartition sont très détaillées et les planches, bien que de format réduit, sont superbes.”

Walter Belis, Alauda, 2019