Aves Do Brasil: Uma Visao Artistica = Birds of Brazil: An Artistic View

Basics: 2006, hardcover, 672 pages, 160 color plates, 1,800 species, range maps, Portuguese and English; large format at 12.5 x 9.5 inches

By far, this is the best book available to cover all 1,800+ birds of Brazil. As suggested by its subtitle (An Artistic View), the focus of this book is the excellent artwork found in the 160 color plates. Thirty (30) of these plates, scattered throughout the book, are full page paintings highlighting one species. These are wonderful paintings with vivid natural backgrounds. The other 130 plates feature the 1,800 species. This averages out to 14 species per plate. And, with various subspecies and genders illustrated, this can sometimes create a busy plate. As an extreme, the swallows’ plate contains show more 51 different illustrations. Most plates range from 20-30.

Despite the unusually high number of illustrations per plate, the birds are shown in a decent size due to the large dimensions of the book. Each plate is 9 x 12 inches; thus, this book is large and heavy. So, forget taking it into the field. Across from the plate are the birds’ names in Portuguese, English and scientific. The range maps, at 1-inch square, do an adequate job of relaying the ranges of the birds.

My only critique about the paintings involves the nightjars, shorebirds, gulls, and pelagic species. The form, colorations, and patterning are just not right, especially with the shorebirds. The Least Sandpiper is shown larger than the Baird’s, with the latter not being easily recognized. In contrast, nearly all the passerines are first rate, which gives the impression that the author/illustrator focuses most of his time and passion on these birds.

The latter half of the book contains all the text for each bird. Presented in both Portuguese and English, the text is typically brief, ranging from 2 – 18 lines. A general outline of the bird’s habitat, behavior, and distribution is offered along with brief descriptions of the bird itself. Many of the species lack any description at all; thus, you will be totally reliant on the plates – or other books – to identify a large number of these birds.

The first 109 pages of the book offer a variety of interesting sections that focus on habitat types (shown with dozens of color photos), morphology and behavior of the birds (with dozens of b&w drawings), vocalizations, feeding, general habits, and conservation.

An accompanying CD contains songs of some of the species. However! My book arrived without this CD, so be sure to check your order.

This is a great book to look through and to study; and, again, it’s the best – and most expensive – option for all the birds of Brazil. It is definitely superior to the smaller, field guide-sized book by Souza (All the Birds of Brazil). Another scaled-down book by this author uses these illustrations to display 1,100 species of eastern Brazil, which is produced in a much smaller, handier sized format (Guia de Campo Aves do Brasil Oriental). I've not seen this newer (2007) book, but if the author has enhanced the text to accompany these illustrations, then I imagine it will be a great book as well.

I’ve listed several related books below…
1) All the Birds of Brazil by Souza
2) Guia de Campo Aves do Brasil Oriental by Sigrist
3) Aves Brasileiras by Frisch
4) Aves da Grande Belem by Novaes
5) Aves na Mantiqueira by Hofling et al.
6) Birds in Brazil by Sick
7) Ornitologia Brasileira Volumes 1&2 by Sick
8) Guia de Campo Aves da Grande Sao Paulo by Develey
9) Aves do Estado de Sao Paulo by Willis/Oniki
10) Aves do Brasil: Volumes 1&2 by Ruschi show less