I live in Central Mexico and use the following books:



1.? Howell & Webb field guide - it is?extremely bulky?so I've separated the sections. Kinkos and similar print shops can bind the sections for a reasonable price.? Lots of visiting birders travel with only the color plates.?



2.??A good field guide to the birds of North America is handy, and my favorites are?the Big Sibleys and National Geographic.



3.? Unless your friend knows hummingbirds, I recommend either Sheri Williamson's?Hummingbirds of North America (Peterson Field Guide) or Steven N.G. Howell's Hummingbirds of North America, the photographic guide.?



4.? Though not my favorite?field guide,?I do use The Birds of Mexico and Adjacent Areas by Ernest Preston Edwards.? It's the only field guide showing our commonly seen hybrid towhee (spotted towhee x collared towhee).?



5.? I do wish someone would publish a field guide re the raptors of Mexico......some of Mexico's species are simply not covered well by the north-of-the-border guides.?



You didn't ask about books on where to find birds.? I can suggest several for Mexico if your friend would like this information.? There are also a number of websites devoted to birding Mexico.? The members of Mexico-birding at yahoogroups.com?are quite helpful.? Knowing the bird sounds is really important and there are a number of resources available.? I haven't seen an announcement that Martyn Stewart's CD is available yet.? Boesman's isn't the best CD but it was the only one on the market at the time I bought it.?



Your friend may contact me privately for additional information.?



Georgia Conti

Patzcuaro, Michoacan

www.patzcuarobirder.blogspot.com

antep9[at]aol[dot]com








-----Original Message-----
From: Vicki Biltz <vickibiltz at msn.com>
To: tweeters <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Fri, Aug 21, 2009 11:52 pm
Subject: [Tweeters] Bird Guides for Central America and Mexico, any ideas?



Hi,
I have a good friend who is planning on some quality birding in Central America and Mexico, but has no books. I have not birded there before, so I don't have a clue.? Any good books out there, for this area?
Many Thanks,
?
Vicki Biltz
Bonney Lake, Wa
vickibiltz at msn.com
http://www.sawwhetsnew.blogspot.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saw-whets_new/


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