Antbirds and ovenbirds, two of the five largest families of birds found only in the Western Hemisphere, have been among Alexander Skutch's favorites for more than six decades. In this book, he draws on years of observations to describe the life cycle of these fascinating birds, which inhabit Latin America from tropical Mexico to Tierra del Fuego. Skutch covers all aspects of the birds' lives, including the various species in each family, food and foraging, daily life, voice, displays and courtship, nests and incubation, and parental care. He also recounts anecdotes from his own experiences, creating vivid pictures of antbirds foraging for the insects Skutch stirs up on walks through the rainforest and of ovenbirds repairing the observation holes that he opens in their elaborate nests. As some of tropical America's least studied birds, antbirds and oven birds surely merit the extensive treatment given them here by one of our most distinguished senior ornithologists. Over fifty line drawings by noted bird artist Dana Gardner make this book a delight for both armchair and field naturalists.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
Little has been written about the ovenbird family, although its members are numerous and widespread south of our borders. Hence, Antbirds and Ovenbirds should prove enormously popular with birders. . . . Few authors write more movingly or eloquently about their subjects [than Alexander Skutch]. (John and Gloria Tveten Houston Chronicle 19960913)
Skutch is a most notable researcher of these birds, with more than 50 years of resident fieldwork in the neotropics. Here he presents a first-time synthesis of virtually all that is known about the behavior and ecology of these two major bird groups. Particular attention is given to the nesting biology, parental devotion, and care of the young. Comparisons of courtship displays and vocalizations are also rich in detail, and often presented in an evolutionary context. Skutch's botanical background enhances his discussions of foraging habitats and bird diets. Conservationists will appreciate the two chapters devoted to the human impacts on these families of neotropical specialists. Throughout, the book is generously enhanced by nest photographs and evocative drawings of representative species. (Choice 19961001)
Forget tanagers and toucans; it is the suboscines, the antbirds (Formicariidae, in the broad sense) and ovenbirds (Furnariidae) and the like, dull in plumage but of fascinating biology, that captivate many a field ornithologist with experience in the Neotropics. Yet most of what is known about these birds, what little there is, has remained scattered in the primary literature. The renowned naturalist Alexander F. Skutch has written a book, full of fascianting information, that goes a long way towards filling this void. . . . Skutch has read widely about each family and effectively integrates what others have learned with his own original observations. . . . Antbirds and Ovenbirds served as an excellent introduction to the natural history of two major radiations of bird species that dominate the New World tropics and should spur ever more studies of these poorly known families. (Ibis 19970701)
His text is full of anecdotes and details from his vast experience in the field and contains abundant citations to others' work. For the reader who is stimulated by authoritative descriptions of the breeding, feeding habits, social life of birds, and their habitats, [this book is] all one might hope for. (Aububon Naturalist News )
Skutch is a most notable researcher of these birds, with more than 50 years of resident fieldwork in the neotropics. Here he presents a first-time synthesis of virtually all that is known about the behavior and ecology of these two major bird groups. Particular attention is given to the nesting biology, parental devotion, and care of the young. Comparisons of courtship displays and vocalizations are also rich in detail, and often presented in an evolutionary context. Skutch's botanical background enhances his discussions of foraging habitats and bird diets. Conservationists will appreciate the two chapters devoted to the human impacts on these families of neotropical specialists. Throughout, the book is generously enhanced by nest photographs and evocative drawings of representative species. (Choice 19961001)
Forget tanagers and toucans; it is the suboscines, the antbirds (Formicariidae, in the broad sense) and ovenbirds (Furnariidae) and the like, dull in plumage but of fascinating biology, that captivate many a field ornithologist with experience in the Neotropics. Yet most of what is known about these birds, what little there is, has remained scattered in the primary literature. The renowned naturalist Alexander F. Skutch has written a book, full of fascianting information, that goes a long way towards filling this void. . . . Skutch has read widely about each family and effectively integrates what others have learned with his own original observations. . . . Antbirds and Ovenbirds served as an excellent introduction to the natural history of two major radiations of bird species that dominate the New World tropics and should spur ever more studies of these poorly known families. (Ibis 19970701)
His text is full of anecdotes and details from his vast experience in the field and contains abundant citations to others' work. For the reader who is stimulated by authoritative descriptions of the breeding, feeding habits, social life of birds, and their habitats, [this book is] all one might hope for. (Aububon Naturalist News )
Review
Alexander Skutch is unmatched as a careful observer of bird behavior.... He also has a gifted command and control of the English language...delightful entertainment for anyone with curiosity about nature. (William Belton, author of Birds of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil )
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Unique Insight of Alexander Skutch,
By
This review is from: Antbirds and Ovenbirds: Their Lives and Homes (Corrie Herring Hooks Series) (Hardcover)
Anybody who has enjoyed other writings by Alexander Skutch on the subject of neotropical birds will also appreciate this book. After all, where else can you find interesting and informative writing about these two large and important families of neotropical birds? Not only is there a wealth of data concerning behavior, habitat, etc - but it is all presented in Skutch's very personal style, and intermingled with intimate anecdotes that really put you right there in the forest with that Bicolored Antbird, etc. Read this book before birding in lowland rainforest in Central or South America, and you will be rewarded with a much greater understanding of what you are witnessing. If you haven't yet, also read "A Birdwatcher's Adventures in Central America", and "A Naturalist in Costa Rica", as well as "Birds Asleep" - all by Alexander Skutch.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Unique Insight of Alexander Skutch,
By
This review is from: Antbirds and Ovenbirds: Their Lives and Homes (Corrie Herring Hooks Series) (Hardcover)
Anybody who has enjoyed other writings by Alexander Skutch on the subject of neotropical birds will also appreciate this book. After all, where else can you find interesting and informative writing about these two large and important families of neotropical birds? Not only is there a wealth of data concerning behavior, habitat, etc - but it is all presented in Skutch's very personal style, and intermingled with intimate anecdotes that really put you right there in the forest with that Bicolored Antbird, etc. Read this book before birding in lowland rainforest in Central or South America, and you will be rewarded with a much greater understanding of what you are witnessing. If you haven't yet, also read "A Birdwatcher's Adventures in Central America", and "A Naturalist in Costa Rica", as well as "Birds Asleep" - all by Alexander Skutch.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Unique Insight of Alexander Skutch,
By
This review is from: Antbirds and Ovenbirds: Their Lives and Homes (Corrie Herring Hooks Series) (Hardcover)
Anybody who has enjoyed other writings by Alexander Skutch on the subject of neotropical birds will also appreciate this book. After all, where else can you find interesting and informative writing about these two large and important families of neotropical birds? Not only is there a wealth of data concerning behavior, habitat, etc - but it is all presented in Skutch's very personal style, and intermingled with intimate anecdotes that really put you right there in the forest with that Bicolored Antbird, etc. Read this book before birding in lowland rainforest in Central or South America, and you will be rewarded with a much greater understanding of what you are witnessing. If you haven't yet, also read "A Birdwatcher's Adventures in Central America", and "A Naturalist in Costa Rica", as well as "Birds Asleep" - all by Alexander Skutch.
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