Originally published in Spanish as “Aves Endémicas de Costa Rica” in 2023, the English edition of “Endemic Birds of Costa Rica” was published by TEC University Press in Costa Rica in October 2024. The author, Leandro Arias, had asked me about a couple of taxonomic questions related to subspecies and species limits as he prepared the original text in Spanish. With the resounding success of the first Spanish edition — it sold its entire print run– he got the green light to produce an English-language edition (available in eBook and print here) and asked if I’d be willing to collaborate with reviewing the text of the book.
Fortunately (or unfortunately) the arrival of the manuscript coincided with me finally getting COVID in December 2023 after years of dodging it. I spent a couple of days laid up on the sofa reading through the manuscript and making suggestions to improve the translation and some minor factual errors that needed to be addressed. To my surprise, a few months and further questions later Leandro asked if I’d be willing to write the introduction to the English version.
I was of course thrilled to write it and as it came close to the launch date they decided to also do some in-person book signings and speaking events. The first one was going to be held near my house in La Fortuna and Leandro asked me to speak alongside himself and the well-known guide Anthony Arce who presented a review of the text. Although the book is in English, this event was for Costa Rican guides so the presentation is in Spanish. My part of the presentation can be viewed below.