owls at night

The ultimate photographic resource dedicated to the identification of these largely nocturnal birds of prey. This book contains lavish and spectacular photography from dozens of the world’s finest natural history photographers, covering all of the world’s 268 species of owls; particular attention is given to subspecific differences, sexing and ageing. The photographs are accompanied by concise text on the identification, habitat, food, distribution and voice of these birds, along with accurate range maps. In this second edition, recent changes to owl taxonomy are incorporated with full descriptions (and images) of a number of new species, along with several new photographs to improve this book’s amazing photographic coverage still further. This is the definitive work on owl identification – no birder’s bookshelf should be without it!

Stunning portraits of 36 species of owls from around the world.

Includes all Nightjars, Potoos, Frogmouths, Oilbird and Owlet-nightjars. Each species fully described, with local and international status shown.

This lavishly illustrated book is the first comprehensive photographic guide to the Caprimulgiformes of the world. Each of the 100 species of nightjars and nighthawks, 17 frogmouths, 7 potoos, Oilbird and 10 owlet-nightjars are illustrated with high quality photographs, including many images which have never previously been published.

Introductory chapters cover distribution, plumage and structure, biology and taxonomy. The brief text for each species covers size, identification, similar species, voice, habitat preferences, breeding, range, status and is accompanied by a distribution map which includes historical data for each species.

Reaktion Animal Series.’The owls are not what they seem’. From ancient Babylon, to Edward Lear’s “The Owl and the Pussycat” and the grandiloquent, absent-minded Wol from Winnie the Pooh, to David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks”, owls have woven themselves into the fabric of human culture from earliest times. Beautiful, silent, pitiless predators of the night, possessing contradictory qualities of good and evil, they are enigmatic creatures that dwell throughout the world yet barely make their presence known. In his fascinating new book “Owl” bestselling author and broadcaster Desmond Morris explores the natural and cultural history of one of nature’s most popular creatures. Morris describes the evolution, the many species, and the wide spread of owls around the world – excluding Antarctica, owls are found on every land mass, ranging in size from 28 centimeters (the Least Pygmy Owl) to more than 70 centimeters tall (the Eurasian Eagle Owl). As a result of their wide distribution, owls also occur in the folk-tales, myths and legends of many native peoples, and Morris explores all these, as well as the many examples of owls in art, film, literature and popular culture.
A new title by an acclaimed and well-known author, and featuring many telling illustrations from nature and culture, “Owl” will appeal to the many devotees of this emblematic bird. Despite the fact that many have never seen or even heard an owl, he illustrates through this enticing read that the owl’s presence is still very real to us today.

Explores the lives of owls, including their fearsome hunting abilities, their tender courtship rituals, and, of course, their haunting vocalisations. This book also includes an identification guide covering several North American species – from the tiny Elf Owl to the imposing Great Gray Owl – as well as tips for observing owls in the wild. Owls have always occupied a special place in the popular imagination, regarded throughout history as both harbingers of doom and symbols of wisdom. Cynthia Berger explores the lives of these mysterious creatures, including their fearsome hunting abilities, their surprisingly tender courtship rituals, and, of course, their haunting vocalisations. Also included is an identification guide covering the full range of North American species – from the tiny Elf Owl to the imposing Great Gray Owl – as well as tips for observing owls in the wild. There are even instructions for building your own nest box to attract these remarkable birds to your backyard.