The Magic Birding Circuit - Suggested Reading - San Jorge Ecolodge

Suggested Reading List
Ecuador Natural History Tour

San Jorge Eco-Tours has arranged with the Audubon Shop in Madison, Connecticut, USA to provide our clients with books, CD's and miscellaneous birding gear on this recommendation list at a special discount. The shop is a full service birding store specializing in international field guides, optics and wildlife art. They may be reached at 888-505-9056.

Ecuador Natural History Tour: Suggested Reading List

Birds of Ecuador - Robert Ridgely and Paul Greenfield Cornell Univ. Press, 2001
This long-awaited, monumental work depicts nearly all of the 1,600 species known to have occurred in Ecuador. Ninety-six beautiful color plates, detailed species accounts, covering voice, behavior, habitat, nesting and distribution. Range maps aid in locating specific birds. Because this definitive guide is quite hefty at 760 pages, we recommend "splitting" the book.
* For a more portable and convenient alternative to carrying the full field guide, we can "split" your guide. We can remove the 96 plates that occupy the middle section of the book, bind them in a plastic spiral binding, and do the same with the remaining text. One may choose to carry only the plates with the short descriptions while in the field, leaving the text at the lodge to refer to later- eliminating more than 70% of the weight of the book!
760 pages 61/2 x 9 1/2, 96 color illustrated plates; range maps
Normally $52.95
$47.65 with discount
paper
*add $10.00 to "split" spiralbound

A Neotropical Companion Second Edition - John Kricher Princeton University Press, 1997
This is an extensively expanded and revised edition of the classic originally published in 1989. The geographical focus of the first edition was Central America while the new book is expanded to equally treat South America. It is an extraordinarily readable introduction to the birds, animals, plants and ecosystems of the New World tropics. Krichner presents the complexities of tropical ecology as accessible and nonintimidating with just the right amount of informality and humor. The most comprehensive one volume guide to the neotropics. Highly recommended.
451 pages, 6 x 9, color photographs and line drawings
Normally $27.95
$25.15 with discount
paper

The New World Tropics; An Introduction for Naturalists - Richard K. Walton, Brownbag Productions, 2005
This new DVD is a must-have for the first-timetropical visitors as well as more seasoned travellers. Filmed at three of the moust famous eco-lodges in the world - The Asa Wright Center in Trinidad, La Selva in Costa Rica, and Chan Chich in Belize - The DVD presents a superb introduction to the world's more biologically diverse region. Dazzling footage of birds, butterflies, trees and orchids. Highly recommended for birders, naturalists, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Normally $24.95
$22.45 with discount
DVD

Birds of Tropical America: A Watchers Introduction to Behavior, Breeding, and Diversity - Steven Hilly University of Texas Press, 2005
Back in print, Birds of Tropical America offers a comprehensive look into the lives of some of the most fascinating birds in the world. Topics such as why antbirds don't eat ants, why tropical birds are so colorful (or not), an how hummingbirds survive and even prosper in the high Andes are covered. Hilly writes with knowledge, grace, and humor. You'll come back to this wonderful book every tie you're lucky enough to return to the neotropics.
312 pages 6x9 b&w illustrations
Normally $19.95
$17.95 with discount
paper

Tropical Nature - Adrian Forsythe and Ken Miyata Scribners, 1984
Fascinating introduction to the extraordinary richness of plant and animal life in the lowland rainforests of the neotropics. In 17 chapters, each with a brief essay on tropical nature observed, the authors evoke the magic and wonder of a world completely contained within itself.
248 pages, 5 1/2 x 8 1/4, b&w illustrations
Normally $14.00
$12.70 with discount
paper

Ecuador; The Ecotravelers' Wildlife Guide - Lee Beletsky Academic Press, 2000
This unique guide features nearly 350 of the most common amphibians, reptiles, ammals and birds - the species you are actually likely to see. This beautifully illustrated and easy-to-carry guide provides up-to-date info on the ecology, behavior, and conservation of all of the families of the species described. Common plants and habitats are also covered. While it won't replace any one field guide, Beletsky's book provides a wonderful overview of Ecuador's rich wildlife. Special bonus is a section on the Galapagos Islands with color plates on all the endemics. Highly recommended.
462 pages, 5 3/8 x * 1/2, full-color illustrated plates
List $27.95
$25.95 with discount
paper

Where to Watch Birds in South America - Nigel Wheatley Princeton University Press, 1995
Excellent guide to a bird-rich continent. Detailed bird lists of specialties, endemics, and near endemics in all the country's habitats make this a great tool for preparing for your adventure.
431 pages 5x8.25
List: $22.95
$20.15 with discount
paper

Map of Ecuador - International Travel Maps and Books
The best map of the country you can get! All major roads, national parks and topography. It's good to know where you've been!
List $14.95
$13.50 with discount

Wildlife of the Galapagos - Julian Fitter, Daniel Fitter, David Hosking - Princeton U Press 2000
The most complete identificaation guide to the wildlife of the Galapagos. Over 200 commonly seen species of birds, mammals, reptiles, invertebtrates, plants and coastal and marine life. Info on the history, climate, geology, and conservation of the islands.
254 pages 7.5x4.5 400 color photos, maps and drawings
List: $19.95
$17.95 with discount
paper

Recordings/DVDs

Birds of The Ecuadorian Highlands - Niels Krabbe, J.V. Moore, Paul Coopmans, Mitch Lysinger and R.S. Ridgely - John V. Moor Productions 2001
The four-CD publication presents vocalizations of nearly all bird species found in the high Andes of Ecuador. It contains over 860 separately announced recordings of 246 species and represents the first attempt to publish an audio series devoted entirely to the birds of the high Andes. It is outstanding in its completeness. Including not only song, but also a variety of calls of each species and distrcit subspecies, several of whihc are endemic to the region. The high Andes of Ecuador supports a diversity of habitats ranging from the cushion plants near the snowline through the high-elevation grassland, wetlands and Polylepis-Gynoxys woodland, to humid forest on the rainy slopes and dry scrub in the intermontane valleys. These habitats are occupied by different species of birds, each with a voice adapted to it's specific environment and life style. This CD-set is part of a series that will eventually cover all the birds of Ecuador, one of the the richest avifaunas in the World. WOW!
Normally: $25.95
$23.95 with discount
4 compact discs, 2 booklets

The Birds of the Northwest Ecuador Volume I: The Uppoer Foothills and Subtropics - John V. Moore, Paul Coopmans, Robert S. Ridgely and Mitch Lysing - John V. Moore Productions, 1999
This three-CD publication presents vocalizations from 190 bird species and features over 425 separately announced recordings. The mid-elevaion montane and premontane forests of northwest Ecuador support a wealth of birdlife, including a large numbr of species and subspecies endemic to the exceptionally rich "choco Faunal Region". This important biogeographic area extends northward into western Colombia and this is the first audi opublication to feature a large number of these endemics. For some of the wider0ranging species included in this publicaation, the discrening listener will note certain differences between the vocalizations presented and those of the same species (but usally a different subspecies) found elsewhere.
Normally: $23.95
$21.80 with discount
3 compact discs, booklet

The Birds of Northwest Ecuador Volume II: The Lowlands and Lower Foothills - Jahn, Moore, Valenzuela Krabbe, Coopmans, Lysinger ad Ridgely - John V. Moore Publications 2003
This two-CD publication includes vocalizations of many of the bird species found in the humid, wet lowlands and lower foothills if nortwestern Ecuador. It contains recordings of 253 species, many of them presented for the first time in an audio publicatioin. The goal of this summary version is to present the more often heard, most typical and spectacular bird sounds to tbe broader public. The area covered belongs to the "Choco Endemic Area", which extends northward into western Colombia. It supports an exceptionally rich birdlife and the highest number of endemic bird species of any bidemic Area are featured.
Normally: $25.95
$23.95 discsount
2 compact discs

Birds of Southwest Ecuador - Coopmans, J.V.Moore, Krabbe, Jahn, Berg, Lysinger, Navarrete and Ridgely - John V. Moore Productions, 2004
Features almost 1000 separate vocalizations from 235 species found in Southwestern Ecuador. The habitats covered are diverse and range from desert, desert scrub and dry forest to humid forest, and also include lakes, marshes, salt ponds, sandy beaches, and mangroves. A large numbere of species and subspecies confined to the important "Tumbesian Endemic Area" are featured.
Normally $25.95
$23.95 discount
5 compact discs, 68 page booklet

Sounds of Neotropical Rainforest Mammals Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 1998
The two-CD guide presents 109 species of mammals including 54 primates and 55 others, most never before published.
Normally $29.95
$26.45 with discount
2 compact discs

Voices of the Antibirds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology 2002
Antibirds make up one of the largest, most diverse groups of birds in the New World. Their whistles, croaks, caws, hoots, rasps and rattles can create a staggering chorus in the forest. Their amazing vocal diversity, combined with the birds' secretive nature, makes this 3-CD set of nearly all of the 270 recognized antibirds an invaluable tool for the tropical birder.
Normally $39.95
$35.95 with discount
3 compact discs

MISCELLANEOUS TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

NEW *Pajaro Grande Waist Pak
The best waist pack we've come across. Made of tough, water-resistant Cordura, that will handle any international field guide. It boasts 7 pockets including the all-important secret passport pocket (which will fit a wallet as well) AND a water bottle pouch for tropical thirst quenching. This pack will also fit a Sibley Guide or any full size binoculars. Wide,non-slip belt.
Normally $42.95 $38.65 with discount

Slide/Flex Binocular Harness
The best binocular harness available. Eliminates all weight from neck and because of stretchy neoprene strap, the shoulders as well. No more swinging "pendulum" effect when bushwhacking. Absolutely essential for full days of wildlife viewing.
Normally $24.95 $22.50 with discount

Domke Field Vest
Pro Photo/Birding vest with 18 pockets including deep pockets for field guides and lenses, as well as pockets for, film, wallet, passport, map and airline tickets. 100% cotton (pre-washed) with padded shoulders. Mesh back and side vents to allow air flow in warm tropical climates. Waist adjustable tabs. Khaki.
Normally $95.00 $85.50 with discount S,M,L,XL

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