Paseriformes del Occidente de México: morfometría, datación y sexado

Abstract

The Western Region of Mexico is a privileged land due to its great biodiversity and complex orography, which includes several habitats that are a conservation priority in the American continent, some in severe danger of disappearing.

Paseriformes del Occidente de México: morfometría, datación y sexado represents a landmark in the study of the birds of Mexico’s Western Region and the country in general. It contains detailed and accurate information on patterns and processes of the external morphology and life cycle of 76 species living in this region, residents and migratory alike, and provides guides for their correct identification, dating and sexing. This information is virtually new for the majority of the 41 species resident there, particularly some of the endemic species such as Vireo brevipennis and Piranga erythrocephala.

This work is divided into three parts: the first is of an introductory and methodological nature, the second explains the general results obtained and deals with eco-morphological and auto-ecological aspects of the species, and the final part presents the data sheets for the species studied.

Santi Guallar holds a Master’s in Experimental Biology from the University of Barcelona. He currently works at the Catalan Ornithology Institute where he has coordinated the Catalan Winter Bird Atlas 2006-2009.

Eduardo Santana is a doctor from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and lecturer at the University of Guadalajara. He formed part of the group that created the Sierra de Manantlán Biosphere Reserve where he began ornithological monitoring.

Sarahy Contreras holds a teaching qualification from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and is a lecturer at the University of Guadalajara. She coordinates the bird ringing programme at the Las Joyas Research Station and specialises in the study of hummingbirds.

Heriberto Verdugo holds a degree in biology from the Autonomous University of Sinaloa, and for five years coordinated the monitoring of bird populations and nests at the Las Joyas Station. He is currently a technical consultant for studies in the conservation and use of wildlife.

Anna Gallés is a graduate in Fine Arts from the University of Barcelona. She works as an illustrator and is an active naturalist and ornithologist. She is a member of the Catalan Ornithology Institute with which she has been collaborating since 2006.

Reviews of this boook:
Ibis, 153(2011): review by Jorge E. Schondube in English
Revista Catalana d’Ornitologia, 42(2011) review by Peter Pyle in Catalan
L’Abellerol, 42(2011) review by Peter Pyle in Catalan
Western birds, 42 (2011) review by Peter Pyle in English.