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Elusive Birds of the Tropical Understory is an arresting visual trip to the unseen corners of the Neotropical forest understory. Edited by John P. Whitelaw, Jeffrey D. Brawn, Henry S. Pollock, and John W. Fitzpatrick, Elusive Birds of the Tropical Understory combines unique images of tropical birds with inspired essays by leaders in the world of modern ornithology.
With one-of-a-kind photos of seldom-documented birds, the authors use photography as a conservation tool. Many of the birds are more often heard than seen – not much is known about some of them, and much of what we do know is found in historical natural history literature, not contemporary accounts. Due to dense vegetation, low light conditions, and the birds' furtive behaviour and cryptic colouring, they are notoriously difficult to photograph. Yet, Elusive Birds of the Tropical Understory delves deep into the Panamanian forest understory to show why these birds should be included in the discussion of the current conservation crisis. What these species lack in bright colours they make up for in distinctive behaviours, subtle plumage patterns, and ongoing mystery.
Elusive Birds of the Tropical Understory invites and inspires naturalists of all ages to take a closer look at a fascinating assemblage of overlooked birds.
- Introduction, by John W. Fitzpatrick and Jeffrey D. Brawn
- Challenges to Biodiversity Conservation in Panama, by Samuel Valdes Diaz
- Portraits in Words and Pictures
- Ruddy Quail-Dove, by Scott K. Robinson
- White-tipped Sicklebill, by Christoph Hinkelmann
- Band-tailed Barbthroat, by Christoph Hinkelmann
- Green Hermit, by Christoph Hinkelmann
- Long-billed Hermit, by Jay J. Falk
- White-whiskered Puffbird, by John P. Whitelaw
- Golden-olive Woodpecker, by John P. Whitelaw
- Black-crowned Antshrike, by Corey Tarwater
- Russet Antshrike, by Phred M. Benham
- Checker-throated Stipplethroat, by John W. Fitzpatrick
- White-flanked Antwren, by Scott K. Robinson
- Chestnut-backed Antbird, by Thomas W. Sherry
- Bicolored Antbird, by Jeffrey D. Brawn
- Spotted Antbird, by Jonathan Patrick Kelley
- Ocellated Antbird, by Henry S. Pollock
- Black-faced Antthrush, by Henry S. Pollock
- Black-faced Antthrush, by Henry S. Pollock and Jeffrey D. Brawn
- Cocoa Woodcreeper, by Jeffrey D. Brawn
- Plain Xenops, by Phred M. Benham
- Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner, by Jared D. Wolfe
- Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher, by Thomas W. Sherry
- Ants and Ant Followers, by John P. Whitelaw
- Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher, by Thomas W. Sherry
- Golden-crowned Spadebill, by John P. Whitelaw and Alexander F. Skutch
- Flycatcher, by Scott K. Robinson
- Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, by John W. Fitzpatrick
- Avian Malaria in the Forest Understory, by Emma I. Young
- Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant, by John W. Fitzpatrick
- Eye-ringed Flatbill, by Jared D. Wolfe
- Olivaceous Flatbill, by Jonathan Patrick Kelley
- Yellow-breasted Flycatcher, by John P. Whitelaw
- Southern Bentbill, by Thomas W. Sherry
- Ectoparasites on Panamanian Birds, by Sergio E. Bermudez Castillero
- Mountain Elaenia, by Peter A. Hosner
- Long-billed Gnatwren, by Jeffrey D. Brawn and Henry S. Pollock
- Scaly-breasted Wren, by Henry S. Pollock and John P. Whitelaw
- White-breasted Wood-Wren, by Jeffrey D. Brawn and Henry S. Pollock
- Gray-breasted Wood-Wren, by Caroline Dingle
- Song Wren, by Henry S. Pollock
- Black-faced Solitaire, by K. Greg Murray
- Hummingbird Tongues: An Ingenious Adaptation, by John P. Whitelaw
- Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush, by Scott K. Robinson
- Slate-throated Redstart, by Ronald L. Mumme
- Rictal Bristles, by John W. Fitzpatrick
- Blue-black Grosbeak, by Henry S. Pollock
- Gray-headed Tanager, by Jeffrey D. Brawn
John P. Whitelaw is the former Director of Laboratories in a large community general hospital. An accomplished photographer, his interests include still life, bird, and street photography as well as fine art printmaking.
Jeffrey D. Brawn is Professor and Stuart L. and Nancy J. Levenick Chair in Sustainability, Natural Resources, and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Henry S. Pollock is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
John W. Fitzpatrick is Director Emeritus of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology and former Executive Director of the Archbold Biological Station. He is co-editor of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Handbook of Bird Biology, 3rd ed.
"Both a lesson and a warning, the stories in Elusive Birds of the Tropical Understory reveal that we have much to learn about habitat niches, interconnectedness, and the understudied ecosystems that human beings can't afford to keep tearing apart."
– David Suzuki, host and narrator of The Nature of Things
"This wonderful book, with its unique and highly original format, unlocks some of the best-kept secrets of the tropical understory and its incredibly diverse bird community. It captures and brings alive the personalities of many birds that most people know only as shadowy and furtive figures shrouded in the subdued light of the basement of the forest. Anyone who has ever enjoyed tropical America and all those who wish they could, amateur and professional alike, will enjoy this book."
– Wade Davis, Leadership Chair in Cultures and Ecosystems at Risk, University of British Columbia, and best-selling author of One River
"Elusive Birds of the Tropical Understory celebrates the value of all living things, especially the small and secretive. This thoughtful study couldn't have come at a better time. There are wonders to be found everywhere, if only we pay attention."
– Joel Sartore, National Geographic Society Photographer and Explorer
"This extraordinary book opens a window to the American tropics, where mysterious birds live in the shadows of the understory – usually hidden but always fascinating. With stunning photos and engaging text by top experts, Elusive Birds of the Tropical Understory will be a lasting treasure."
– Kenn Kaufman, author of the Kaufman Field Guides
