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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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
This book looks in detail at two families of South American birds, the cotingas and manakins, perhaps the most colourful of all neotropical bird groups, and widely regarded as the South American equivalent of New Guinea's Birds of Paradise. The book is a synthesis of the very latest research into the identification, taxonomy and behaviour of each of the 160 species, along with detailed colour maps, several hundred previously unpublished colour photographs, and Eustace Barnes's stunning colour plates.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is the latest volume to join the ranks of Helm Identification Guides. Following hot on the heels of "Reed and Bush Warblers" and "Sylvia Warblers", this large book covers the exotic Cotingas and Manakins (not to be confused with Mannikins). The boundaries of these two bird families - the Cotingidae and Pipridae - have been treated differently by various authors over the years. In Victorian times they were generally assessed by physical structure and grouped accordingly, but with the latest DNA technology we are beginning to understand more clearly how each group of species relates to the other. However, this book takes 130 species that have traditionally been included in these two families and puts in one place just about everything we have ever known about them.
The Manakins and Tyrant-Manakins are a fairly easy group to understand - generally small, colourful bead-eyed birds often with extraordinary displays. The Cotingas are more varied, but include smaller groups such as Pihas, Cock-of-the-Rocks, Bellbirds, Plantcutters, Berryeaters, Fruiteaters, Fruitcrows, Umbrellabirds. The authors have included several closely-related groups that others have placed elsewhere - such as Sapayoa, Schiffornis, Mourners, Purpletufts and Piprites. Also included is the Kinglet Calyptura - a Brazilian species that must have been relatively common during the 19th century, but was "lost" until 1996, since when it has been claimed several times but sadly without conclusive proof.
There are several chapters which discuss aspects of these birds' lives - such as migration and movements, voice, breeding biology, feeding, conservation and systematics. But for many the attraction of this book will be the 34 colour plates by Eustace Barnes. Sometimes these include the birds' natural surroundings, but sadly many do not, which is a shame. The detailed texts then bring together information on identification, distribution, habitat, measurements, geographical variation, voice, natural history, food, display, breeding and status. An excellent large distribution map is given for each species, often showing the ranges of each race. The book includes approximately 400 stunning photographs to cover every species (only Kinglet Calyptura is shown as a specimen). There is a huge section of references with over 1700 papers and publications listed.
Incidentally, if you follow the IOC List of species the authors will rob you of three possible ticks, but that's no reason not to like this book! It has been quite a long time in gestation, and the result is an excellent tome.
The Manakins and Tyrant-Manakins are a fairly easy group to understand - generally small, colourful bead-eyed birds often with extraordinary displays. The Cotingas are more varied, but include smaller groups such as Pihas, Cock-of-the-Rocks, Bellbirds, Plantcutters, Berryeaters, Fruiteaters, Fruitcrows, Umbrellabirds. The authors have included several closely-related groups that others have placed elsewhere - such as Sapayoa, Schiffornis, Mourners, Purpletufts and Piprites. Also included is the Kinglet Calyptura - a Brazilian species that must have been relatively common during the 19th century, but was "lost" until 1996, since when it has been claimed several times but sadly without conclusive proof.
There are several chapters which discuss aspects of these birds' lives - such as migration and movements, voice, breeding biology, feeding, conservation and systematics. But for many the attraction of this book will be the 34 colour plates by Eustace Barnes. Sometimes these include the birds' natural surroundings, but sadly many do not, which is a shame. The detailed texts then bring together information on identification, distribution, habitat, measurements, geographical variation, voice, natural history, food, display, breeding and status. An excellent large distribution map is given for each species, often showing the ranges of each race. The book includes approximately 400 stunning photographs to cover every species (only Kinglet Calyptura is shown as a specimen). There is a huge section of references with over 1700 papers and publications listed.
Incidentally, if you follow the IOC List of species the authors will rob you of three possible ticks, but that's no reason not to like this book! It has been quite a long time in gestation, and the result is an excellent tome.
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A superb work - very comprehensive and beautifully illustrated. I've encountered a fair number of these species in real life; this book has whetted my appetite to see even more! Excellent plates and a good selection of photos.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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3 reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Extraordinary volume on beautiful and exotic bird families
1 Feb 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This densely packed 600 plus page monograph on the cotinga and manakin bird families is superb. It is at once a scholarly tome with lengthy, scientifically organized facts on each species including a general explanation, identification details, distribution including excellent maps, movements, habitat, description, measurements, geographical variations (races), voice, natural history, food and feeding, breeding, status and references. My only criticism is that in being all inclusive with virtually every fact know about each species and sub-species the publishers were apparently forced to use a small font as their print medium. It can be a bit eye-straining. But don't let that daunt you.
This book is superb. Certainly one of the very best written and illustrated monographs on birds in years. Eustace Barnes birds paintings are elegant, but purposeful in showing off the bird as it might be seen in nature but with an eye to providing the proper spotting clues. He has captured them perfectly. On a scale of one to ten the art is a nine or better. Some images are amazing and magnificent. Accompanying all this are lately taken photographs of most species, sexes or races where possible. These are excellent, too.
It is no field guide being much to wide and heavy for field use. Yet it is and will be the bible of these bird families for many years to come.
Great job, if you like exotic, beautiful tropical birds and wish to have the definitive study and the fun of reading a gorgeous volume, then don't miss this book. In the not too technical sections the book reads informatively and easily and is interesting. You won't go wrong. A long awaited but huge achievement.
A GRAND JOB!!!!
This book is superb. Certainly one of the very best written and illustrated monographs on birds in years. Eustace Barnes birds paintings are elegant, but purposeful in showing off the bird as it might be seen in nature but with an eye to providing the proper spotting clues. He has captured them perfectly. On a scale of one to ten the art is a nine or better. Some images are amazing and magnificent. Accompanying all this are lately taken photographs of most species, sexes or races where possible. These are excellent, too.
It is no field guide being much to wide and heavy for field use. Yet it is and will be the bible of these bird families for many years to come.
Great job, if you like exotic, beautiful tropical birds and wish to have the definitive study and the fun of reading a gorgeous volume, then don't miss this book. In the not too technical sections the book reads informatively and easily and is interesting. You won't go wrong. A long awaited but huge achievement.
A GRAND JOB!!!!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
The future of bird literature
9 April 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
What is so amazing about this book (and there are many things), is that one can see the architectural mind of the authors in its design. For me, there are only Hummingbirds and the Birds of Paradise that as groups can compete - with a a shy glance at Pheasants, Trogons, (and Turacos and Parrots, and a few others...). If only there was a book like this for Hummingbirds!!!! (especially when there are so many experts in this field still alive..).
The format is an exemplar of excellence, a field guide/ID section at the front, and photographs of every species, all known ornithological literature drawn together coherently in a barely known field. The hommage to the Snows - the resplendent trailblazers in this field, is another credit to the authors (why do so few acknowlege the shoulders of the giants they stand on?).
As much as I am a fan of illustration, it is fabulous to have both drawn and photographic depictions of these birds.
In my view, this is the best bird book to appear in aeons.
Dean
The format is an exemplar of excellence, a field guide/ID section at the front, and photographs of every species, all known ornithological literature drawn together coherently in a barely known field. The hommage to the Snows - the resplendent trailblazers in this field, is another credit to the authors (why do so few acknowlege the shoulders of the giants they stand on?).
As much as I am a fan of illustration, it is fabulous to have both drawn and photographic depictions of these birds.
In my view, this is the best bird book to appear in aeons.
Dean
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Great Book!
26 Mar 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I purchased this book after traveling to the Amazon rainforest in Jan. 2011 to photograph the Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock, the bird featured on the cover of this book! It is a spectacular bird and deserves the cover! I did find the bird and photograph it. I found this book very helpful in learning more about all aspects of the known life history of this species. As a retired fisheries biologist, and avid birder, I found the information well written, detailed and very informative. I have seen many of the other species covered by the book and find their information just as informative. The range maps and photographs are very helpful, as is the reference section. I was especially interested in the "Status" writeup of the species. The only downside of the book is the small type used, although I realized if the type was larger the book would have been much thicker and probably more expensive. It is worth the price. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in these two groups of tropical birds. is a serious birder and may want to travel to the tropics to find them. It is not a field guide, but is a terrific reference for your bird library.
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