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New World tropical birds are some of the most colorful and intriguing species in the world, and Cotingas and Manakins is a comprehensive, detailed volume exploring the wonder of 130 of the most coveted species for birders' life lists. Colorful plate illustrations provide comparative visual references, while detailed species accounts include extensive information and additional photographs to create a thorough ornithological resource that is an enjoyable exploration of these unique birds.


Pros

• The inclusion of both illustrated plates as well as exceptional photos creates a resource for both easy comparison and detailed study, regardless of a reader's graphic preferences.
• Extremely detailed information makes the book a thorough reference though it can be overwhelming, particularly for novice birders.

Cons

• Highly technical text is unnecessary for casual bird-lovers but useful as an ornithological reference.
• Includes fewer photos than may be desired, but when combined with the illustrated plates is still a superb visual guide to these elusive birds.

Description

• Title: Cotingas and Manakins
• Authors: Guy M. Kirwan and Graeme Green
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Publication Date: March 2012
• Format: Hardcover
• Bird Artwork: Illustrations and photographs
• Dimensions: 9.75" (24.8 cm) tall, 7.0" (17.8 cm) wide, 1.6" (4.1 cm) thick
• Page Count: 624
• ISBN: 978-0-691-15352-0
• Price: $55.00 (USD)

Review - Cotingas and Manakins

Cotingas, manakins, bellbirds, fruiteaters and umbrellabirds are some of the most sought after target birds for birders visiting the tropics of Central and South America, and Cotingas and Manakins is an ideal resource not only for learning about these colorful and amazing birds, but also for enjoying them right at home if extensive travel is not in a birder's budget.

This book covers 130 species with both colorful illustration plates as well as detailed species accounts with intimate photographs, making it a thorough reference and the definitive resource on these birds.

The introduction (pages 14-47) covers not only how to effectively use the book, but also general information as it applies to most of these tropical species, including vocalizations, foraging behavior and dietary preferences, reproduction, scientific family classifications and how species are related to one another, conservation information and the threats facing many of these elusive birds. Text abbreviations and a brief glossary are also part of the introduction.

Pages 49-114 are a visual treat with 34 full color plates. The plates are large and richly detailed, and offer an opportunity to compare similar species with ease. Illustrations show birds in typical postures and some include behavioral poses, and several also include habitat backgrounds to place species in their preferred settings. In dimorphic species, both genders are illustrated in relative sizes for easy identification.

Text notes accompanying the illustration plates are brief but clearly note page numbers for the full species accounts. Information with the plates includes the bird's scientific and common names, brief comparisons to similar birds and how to distinguish them, notes on common subspecies and the field marks most useful for each bird's identification.

While the plate illustrations provide enough information to identify each species, it is the full species profiles that provide amazing detail and rich insight into each of these birds. Plate numbers are noted for an additional visual reference, and each species account includes information such as:

• Scientific and common name
• Key identifying field marks
• Range map showing subspecies populations where appropriate
• Migration or seasonal nomadic movement patterns
• Preferred habitat
• Extensive measurements including wing, bill and leg length as well as weight
• General voice and key vocalizations
• Courtship behavior and reproduction details
• Diet type and feeding preferences
• Conservation status and principle threats
• Where to see the species, noting specific birding locations

Multiple photos are included with each species profile, featuring dimorphic plumages, birds in the hand, nest shots, and photos of typical breeding displays where available, though the number of photos associated with each species varies greatly. Captions for the photos include the locations where the birds were seen, and some captions include additional discussion and explanatory information.

Such detailed species profiles can be overwhelming, especially for novice birders, but they provide an amazing resource for research about these often unfamiliar birds. The extensive bibliography provided on pages 586-619 offers suggestions for much further study if desired, while the index lists birds by both common and scientific names for easy use.

These colorful tropical birds may be elusive, but they are elusive no more when birders open up Cotingas and Manakins. The definitive resource about these amazing species, this is a thorough, comprehensive and beautifully illustrated volume that deserves a place of honor in every birder's library.



Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.