Owls of the World (Helm Identification Guides)
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Review
'A classic work...immerse yourself in its pages ' --BBC Wildlife (March 2009)
'You will find this an excellent reference book, the most comprehensive on owls available.'
--British Birds (May 2009)
'Immerse yourself in its pages on a March evening, when spring is beckoning and local owls are starting to hoot temptingly outside the window.'
--BBC Wildlife (March 2009)
'This is, at this moment, the world's largest book of owls of the world.'
--Kaulbrief (September 2009)
'This is exactly what we have come to expect in a Helm Identification Guide: a book that is great for beginners, like me, and experts.'
--Peregrine (Spring 2009)
'You will find this an excellent reference book, the most comprehensive on owls available.'
--British Birds (May 2009)
'Immerse yourself in its pages on a March evening, when spring is beckoning and local owls are starting to hoot temptingly outside the window.'
--BBC Wildlife (March 2009)
'This is, at this moment, the world's largest book of owls of the world.'
--Kaulbrief (September 2009)
'This is exactly what we have come to expect in a Helm Identification Guide: a book that is great for beginners, like me, and experts.'
--Peregrine (Spring 2009)
Product Description
Owls are enduringly popular birds, but due to their nocturnal habits most species are difficult to see well. The plumages of many species are cryptic and difficult to separate by plumage alone. This problem is compounded by the different morphs that many adopt. This book fully describes every known species and subspecies of owl, as well as presenting the latest evidence on owl taxonomy, based on DNA work and vocalisations. Because voice is vital in owl identification, much emphasis is placed on it in the book and sonograms are provided for many species.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is the second edition of a book that you might have on your shelf already, although when it first appeared in 1999 it was called Owls - A Guide to the Owls of the World. The cover is completely new too and among the extra 66 pages are eight new plates while all of the originals have been revised and improved.
So is it worth buying this edition? The answer to that question really depends on how much you want to keep up with the frequent splitting of the world's owls into extra species. For example, within the genus `Tyto' the first edition only dealt with 17 species, but now we have 25 including a whole raft of new "Barn Owls" split from the familiar bird that we know and love. In fact, when I started to compare both books I realised just how much owl taxonomy has moved on in a decade. This new book recognises 250 owl species compared to just 212 in the first edition.
The main feature is the selection of 72 colour plates by Friedhelm Weick which show each species in a perched position and occasionally in flight. These face brief descriptions of the main plumage characteristics and a colour distribution map. The maps are also repeated at a larger scale alongside more detailed texts on identification, distribution, movements, habitat, measurements, habits, breeding, status and conservation. Due to their mostly nocturnal habits, owls' vocalisations are frequently the only clue to their presence. This book gives plenty of information on calls, and a CD of owl calls is planned for release to accompany it.
There is a scholarly chapter on owl taxonomy and the use of DNA evidence to determine species which will be of value to those working in that field but goes well beyond the understanding of most birdwatchers. There is also a section giving a good overview on how owls live and the adaptations that allow them to exploit a niche that other birds have failed to conquer.
This is one bird family that will simply continue to grow as ornithologists explore new areas, particularly in the Tropics. For example, in Sri Lanka the Serendib Scops Owl was only discovered a few years ago as people had confused its call for that of a frog. Meanwhile at San Isidro on the east slope of the Ecuadorian Andes there is a mystery owl still waiting for someone to describe it despite photographs being freely available on the internet. Perhaps we should not be surprised that new owl species are still out there to be discovered. They have become perfectly adapted for a world of darkness that will always keep us one step behind.
So is it worth buying this edition? The answer to that question really depends on how much you want to keep up with the frequent splitting of the world's owls into extra species. For example, within the genus `Tyto' the first edition only dealt with 17 species, but now we have 25 including a whole raft of new "Barn Owls" split from the familiar bird that we know and love. In fact, when I started to compare both books I realised just how much owl taxonomy has moved on in a decade. This new book recognises 250 owl species compared to just 212 in the first edition.
The main feature is the selection of 72 colour plates by Friedhelm Weick which show each species in a perched position and occasionally in flight. These face brief descriptions of the main plumage characteristics and a colour distribution map. The maps are also repeated at a larger scale alongside more detailed texts on identification, distribution, movements, habitat, measurements, habits, breeding, status and conservation. Due to their mostly nocturnal habits, owls' vocalisations are frequently the only clue to their presence. This book gives plenty of information on calls, and a CD of owl calls is planned for release to accompany it.
There is a scholarly chapter on owl taxonomy and the use of DNA evidence to determine species which will be of value to those working in that field but goes well beyond the understanding of most birdwatchers. There is also a section giving a good overview on how owls live and the adaptations that allow them to exploit a niche that other birds have failed to conquer.
This is one bird family that will simply continue to grow as ornithologists explore new areas, particularly in the Tropics. For example, in Sri Lanka the Serendib Scops Owl was only discovered a few years ago as people had confused its call for that of a frog. Meanwhile at San Isidro on the east slope of the Ecuadorian Andes there is a mystery owl still waiting for someone to describe it despite photographs being freely available on the internet. Perhaps we should not be surprised that new owl species are still out there to be discovered. They have become perfectly adapted for a world of darkness that will always keep us one step behind.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
this book is fantastic, so up to date, Owls of the world is a very good price, incomparision to other owl books, this book goes into so much mure detail and explain about every species owl, from where you will find them to what the look like, size, there diet and much much more, if you get a chance any helm identification guide you should buy they are the best bird book around.
glen
glen
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Fabulous book on owls -- detailed comprehensive and well-illustrated
25 Feb 2009
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Like owls or just want the best guide on this family of birds? This book is for you. The artwork is much superior to the book's first edition and the information is mind-boggling, but easy to find, well organized and well presented. Excellent ranges maps, too, and a real study of owls' lives and morphology. There isn't much you won't find in this excellent hardcover (not a field guide -- too heavy). Likely the best guide on this popular bird family ever, and there have been dozens written.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
An Excelent Revision
9 May 2010
Format:Hardcover
I have exactly 276 bird books on my shelves at my house. This one is so special, that i keep it in a drawer next to my bed! It is clearly organized and gives tons of info. It even covers topics rarely included in most books, such as taxonomy. Overall, a wonderful book!
-AlexanderOwls of the World
-AlexanderOwls of the World
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