A Guide to the Birds of Colombia, authored by Steven L. Hilty and William L. Brown, is a comprehensive birding guide that covers nearly 1,700 species, more than half of all bird species in South America. Despite Colombia's rich biodiversity, the country has been largely inaccessible to international birders due to its ongoing civil war. However, this guide has become a major attraction with its detailed text and high-quality illustrations. It builds upon the standard set by Robert Ridgely and John Gwynne's Guide to the Birds of Panama, and is considered one of the best field guides for Neotropical birds. The book was created through years of field and museum research, and it overcomes the challenge of limited information on many species. The guide includes information on birds not only in Colombia but also in neighboring countries such as Venezuela, Ecuador, and Brazil, where no other guides exist. The book's text and artwork, created by wildlife artist and ornithologist Guy Tudor, who later received a MacArthur "genius" award, make it a highly informative and visually appealing resource. The guide is a significant contribution to the field of ornithology and birding, offering a detailed and comprehensive overview of Colombia's avian diversity.A Guide to the Birds of Colombia, authored by Steven L. Hilty and William L. Brown, is a comprehensive birding guide that covers nearly 1,700 species, more than half of all bird species in South America. Despite Colombia's rich biodiversity, the country has been largely inaccessible to international birders due to its ongoing civil war. However, this guide has become a major attraction with its detailed text and high-quality illustrations. It builds upon the standard set by Robert Ridgely and John Gwynne's Guide to the Birds of Panama, and is considered one of the best field guides for Neotropical birds. The book was created through years of field and museum research, and it overcomes the challenge of limited information on many species. The guide includes information on birds not only in Colombia but also in neighboring countries such as Venezuela, Ecuador, and Brazil, where no other guides exist. The book's text and artwork, created by wildlife artist and ornithologist Guy Tudor, who later received a MacArthur "genius" award, make it a highly informative and visually appealing resource. The guide is a significant contribution to the field of ornithology and birding, offering a detailed and comprehensive overview of Colombia's avian diversity.