A field guide to the birds of the West Indies, it covers 564 bird species known to occur in the region. It features various species, each represented by a description that includes identification field marks, local names, status, habitat, voice, range, and comments about the bird. It is intended for local residents as well as vacationing tourists.

This is the first comprehensive field guide to the birds of the West Indies to appear in more than fifty years. It covers all 564 bird species known to occur in the region (including migrants and infrequently occurring forms). Each species is represented by a full description that includes identification field marks, local names, status, habitat, voice, nesting, range, and comments about the bird. A map showing the bird's distribution accompanies each species account. Plumages of all species are depicted in eighty-six beautifully rendered color plates. Twelve of these plates feature individual endemics from each of twelve islands. Another seven plates feature the island endemics of the largest islands: Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.

"One of the best of the recent publications finally eclipsing the old field guide . . . that in its various forms held sway for more than fifty years. . . . The illustrations . . . are exceptionally beautiful."---Stephen Mills, Times Literary Supplement