Handbook of the Birds of the World Vol. 8: Broadbills to Tapaculos

Volume 8, Broadbills to Tapaculos marks the beginning of the volumes dedicated to passerine birds, covering the first nine families of the order Passeriformes. This work presents a detailed exploration of forest birds from Africa, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, such as broadbills, asities, and pittas. However, most of the volume is dedicated to the avian diversity of the Neotropics, detailing 623 species from six families, including ovenbirds, woodcreepers, antbirds, gnateaters, and tapaculos.

The volume is especially useful for ornithologists and enthusiasts of tropical birds, highlighting the impressive diversity of the species covered. Ovenbirds, with 236 species, inhabit a wide range of environments, from the high Andes to the Amazon rainforest and desert regions. Readers will also discover fascinating aspects of bird behavior, such as the intricate nest-building of ovenbirds, the morphological diversity of woodcreeper beaks, and the habit of antbirds following army ants. Tapaculos, whose name derives from their elusive behavior, are also explored in detail.

The preface, written by Murray Bruce, explores the history of bird classification, offering insights into the evolution of avian taxonomy studies. The species descriptions include detailed information on morphology, behavior, habitat, feeding habits, reproduction, and conservation status. The volume maintains a strong focus on conservation, especially regarding species with restricted distributions in tropical regions.

The photography in this volume stands out for its quality and rarity, with many images capturing species rarely photographed. A new system for highlighting species names in bold has been introduced in photo captions, making identification easier for readers.

This volume also brings improvements in the presentation of maps, which now include major rivers for greater clarity, especially in large continental areas. Additionally, it addresses the taxonomic complexity of certain species, focusing on subspecific variations and discussing these aspects in detail in the Taxonomy section.

Highlighted Features

• Preface on bird classification by Murray Bruce
• Comprehensive approach to tropical birds, especially ovenbirds, woodcreepers, and antbirds
• 81 color plates and 477 photographs
• 681 distribution maps
• Approximately 4,000 bibliographic references

Content

• Order Passeriformes
• Family Eurylaimidae: 8 genera, 15 species
• Family Philepittidae: 2 genera, 4 species
• Family Pittidae: 3 genera, 44 species
• Family Furnariidae: 70 genera, 236 species
• Family Dendrocolaptidae: 16 genera, 57 species
• Family Thamnophilidae: 45 genera, 231 species
• Family Formicariidae: 8 genera, 12 species
• Family Conopophagidae: 2 genera, 11 species
• Family Rhinocryptidae: 12 genera, 57 species