Quetzals: Icons of the Cloud Forest

The author of this book has attempted and largely succeeded in producing a readable yet comprehensive ornithological record of quetzal biology (treated here as those 5 species in the genus Pharomachrus). By necessity, this book focuses primarily on the Resplendent Quetzal (P. mocinno) owing to the comparative wealth of studies on this species relative to the others. It is obvious, however, that the author has made a good-faith effort to include notes on other species where applicable. Positively, the book is printed in a large format, showcasing the wonderful photography contained therein, but this style made for somewhat difficult reading as the pages themselves are quite large. The book therefore had a bit of a “coffee table” feel rather than a sober recounting of quetzal life history. As such, it may find a better audience among people seeking another avenue to admire these beautiful birds rather than...