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Written by two of America's leading ornithologists, this book presents descriptions of the geographic distributions, and comments about the species-level taxonomy, of the living birds of the world. The 9672 species accounts are arranged according to the classification developed by the authors and Jon Ahlquist. This new classification is the first to be wholly based on DNA analysis, and many of the findings are highly controversial. New and detailed information on the distribution of each species is given, together with an appendix of 24 maps and a gazetteer of localities mentioned in the text. Each species account gives scientific name, author of the name, at least one English name, and year of original description. Subspecies groups are indicated where relevant. Habitat is briefly described for each species, and detailed geographic distribution. Taxonomic notes include notes on status, occurrence of hybrids, and references to literature. A highly important book.
`...I thoroughly recommend it as the most reliable one-volume work on the nomenclature and distribution of the world's birds.' Tim Inskipp, British Birds.