Birds of Ecuador comprehensively treats the nearly 1600 species of birds that can be found in mainland Ecuador. Volume I, Status, Distribution, and Taxonomy , contains detailed information on the ecology, status and distribution of all species. Introductory chapters deal with geography, climate and vegetation; bird migration in Ecuador; Ecuadorian ornithology; endemic bird areas in Ecuador; and conservation. Individual species accounts treat habitat, distribution and taxonomy. Volume II, Field Guide , contains 96 full-colour plates and facing pages of descriptive text, a colour map of Ecuador, 2 line drawings of bird anatomy, 115 silhouette outlines and nearly 1600 distribution maps. All species are illustrated in full color, including migrants and vagrants and visually distinctive subspecies. The text focuses on the field identification aspects of each species, including their behaviour, vocalizations and nest appearance. The two volumes are also available separately.