Bal Ram Singh

Basics: 2004, softcover, 90 pages, color photos of 80 species, range maps

This small guide offers a small tantalizing sample of the 780+ birds found in Guyana. The book features 80 of what the author considers to be the more interesting birds found in the country.

The selection of photos is average in quality, similar to what someone might take himself during a week’s trip in Guyana. Many of the photos show the bird at a distance and, consequently, they are a bit small.

The birds are grouped into the following six categories: Hoatzin, birds of prey, waders and waterbirds, insect eaters, grain and seed eaters, and fruit eaters. The placement of certain species into the categories is not always intuitive. Within the chapter for insect eaters, the author chose two hummingbirds and a trumpeter while placing a blackbird and cowbird in the seed eating category.

The paragraphs of text for each bird generally discuss its habits and behaviors along with the bird’s habitat and feeding styles. The range maps illustrate the basic range of each bird in the country. These ranges either encompass the entire country or are bound by a coastal and a savannah habitat.

This basic, introductory book is geared towards the curious or novice birder; or, to someone with a general interest in knowing something about Guyana’s rich bird life.

I’ve listed several related books below…
1) The Birds of Guyana by Snyder
2) Kustvogels van Suriname by Spaans
3) Birds of Suriname by Haverschmidt
4) Birds of Venezuela (2nd edition) by Hilty
5) Birds of Northern South America, Volumes 1&2 by Restall et al.
6) All the Birds of Brazil by Souza
7) Aves do Brasil by Sigrist… (more)