The New World tropics are home to the richest avifauna on the planet, with more than 4,000 species, many of them endemic. Two groups found exclusively in this region are the cotingas and the manakins. Few other families of birds have such widespread appeal. They are much sought after by birders for their colorful displays, unusual plumages, and, in some cases, great rarity. Their natural history and behavior offer fascinating case studies for evolutionary biologists, while the intriguingly elusive relationships of these birds are of profound interest to taxonomists.
Cotingas and Manakins is the definitive work on these jewels of the Neotropics, covering more than 130 species. These range from some of the rarest and most enigmatic birds in the world to some of the best studied of all tropical species. Many are breathtakingly colorful and ornate while some are plain and difficult to see. This stunning volume features 34 color plates by Eustace Barnes, who has observed many of these species in the field, as well as distribution maps and approximately 400 color photographs that cover all but a tiny handful of species. Complete with detailed species accounts describing key identification features, Cotingas and Manakins is the authoritative illustrated guide to these magnificent Neotropical birds.
- Covers more than 130 species of cotingas and manakins
- Features 34 color plates and about 400 color photos
- Includes detailed species accounts and distribution maps
- The must-have illustrated guide to these colorful and exotic birds
Awards and Recognition
- One of The Birdbooker Report's Best Bird Books of 2011
"Incredible. . . . A definitive monograph on the birds concerned: the sections on specific taxa include colour photos (many showing species that have hardly ever been photographed before) as well as huge amounts of new data on ranges, voice and behaviour. I don't think there can be much doubt that this is the new standard work on these birds."—Darren Naish, Scientific American
"A must have for those with an interest in Neotropical birds or collectors of family monographs!"—Ian Paulsen, Birdbooker Report
"Definitive. . . . This book will have you booking your next trip to the Neotropics! . . . It's a treasure trove of information and beauty from the cover to the last page."—Eva Matthews, Flying Mullet
"An identification tour de force."—British Trust for Ornithology
"Mr. Kirwan and Mr.Green bring you vast information about their habitats, location maps. Also identifications, descriptions, distributions and status. Let's not forget the wonderful color illustrations and terrific plates. . . . A 'must have'."—H.J. Ruiz, Avian 101
"Invaluable to anyone studying this group of birds, as well as birders looking to learn more about these colorful gems. . . . A fantastic book that is worth adding to your library if you are making the trek to Central/South America, or you are as fascinated with these birds as I am."—Drew Weber, Nemesis Bird
"Cotingas and Manakins is a brilliant piece of work and well worth having in your library."—Frank Lambert, Birder's Library
"Cotingas and Manakins is a massive, erudite, and gorgeous compilation of all extant knowledge about cotingas and manakins, undoubtedly the two most extravagant and fascinating bird families of the neotropics."—Derek Kverno, Birding Brazil
"[T]his volume will stand as the authoritative guide to this remarkable group of birds for years to come. It will appeal to tropical ornithologists and conservation biologists, as well as to globetrotting birders, who, after poring over the text and savoring the illustrations, will begin to daydream about their next trip to the New World tropics."—Mark Riegner, Quarterly Review of Biology
"What a treasure! . . . Failure to treat these amazing birds with the care they deserve might have turned me against the book. As it is, I was consistently delighted; the book should be a key reference for anyone interested in these two families. . . . This book will be a cherished resource. . . . I highly recommend it to anyone with a strong interest in Neotropical birds, and cannot imagine why anyone with more specialized interest in the manakins and cotingas could possibly fail to own it."—David B. Mcdonald, Wilson Journal of Ornithology
"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."—Melissa Mayntz, About.com Birding/Wild Birds
"Cotingas and Manakins is a major contribution to the literature on what is a most charismatic group of birds. The scholarship is exemplary and the plates by Eustace Barnes are nicely executed. The photographic coverage is superior, particularly given the difficulty of seeing—let alone photographing—many of the rarer species. The passion that Kirwan and Green have for these fascinating birds is evident on every page."—Kevin J. Zimmer, Victor Emanuel Nature Tours
