Handbook of the Birds of the World – Volume 7

This is volume 7 of Handbook of the Birds of the World and covers Jacamars, puffbirds, barbets, honeyguides, toucans and woodpeckers.

In the Foreword to this volume, titled Extinct Birds, Errol Fuller presents a detailed study of species that have disappeared since the year 1600, accompanied by meticulous illustrations of most of these species.
This is the last volume of non-passerines, covering 6 families, three of which are from the Neotropical (jacamars, puffbirds, toucans) and pantropical (barbets). Also covered are the honeyguides of sub-Saharan Africa and south-east Asia, though by far the largest group, with 216 species, are the woodpeckers, a group with almost worldwide distribution.

Each chapter, headed by a summary box, deals with a different family, and it is subdivided into sections: systematics; morphological aspects; habitat; general habits; voice; food and feeding; breeding; movements; relationship with man; status and conservation; a general bibliography and detailed species accounts. The species accounts include names in French, German and Spanish, in addition to scientific and English names. Each species features taxonomic notes; subspecies and distribution; habitat; food and feeding; breeding; movements; status and conservation and a selected bibliography.

Those interested in Neotropical and African birds will enjoy this volume; likewise woodpecker enthusiasts, and birdwatchers in general will find brightly coloured birds such as some toucans and barbets, the more discrete Eurasian Wryneck, and the mysterious Ivory-billed Woodpecker.