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Owls of the World: A Photographic Guide
A complete guide to identifying the world's owls. Photographers spend hours waiting to capture them and birders seek them out with determination, but owls have been tough to identify--until now. Owls of the World is the ultimate resource dedicated to the identification of these charismatic birds of prey. Dozens of the world's finest photographers have contributed 750 spectacular photographs covering all of the world's 249 species of owls. The photos are accompanied by detailed text describing: Owls are shown as adults from a perspective that clearly shows markings which assist in identification. Photographs of similar-looking species are included where identification is particularly difficult. For photographers, birders, naturalists, researchers and any fan of these birds, Owls of the World is the definitive work on species identification. It is also a comprehensive encyclopedia for reference and leisure reading. No bookshelf should be without it.
512 pages, Hardcover
First published July 26, 2012
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139 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 12, 2014
I’m quite mad for owls. However, I have seemingly met my match, Heimo Mikkola, the world’s leading owl expert and author of “Owls of the World”. Mikkola has studied owls for 40 years in 128 countries. It can safely be concluded that “Owls of the World” is the best owl source available for owl-lovers.
Even before one begins to read “Owls of the World”; a mere scanning of the colorful, glossy, and vivid pages revealing 750 photos will instantly delight, gratify, and excite. “Owls of the World” is the combination of an encyclopedia, coffee table book, animal biology source, field guide, social history brief, and animal/environmental rights source all meshed into one book. Basically, everything is covered regarding owls, albeit, even if just briefly.
Feeling overwhelmed already? Fear not, because Mikkola’s text is academic and concise, yet in an easy-to-understand style with a steady pace. “Owls of the World” is not a boring resource book. In fact, the sections are divided naturally (what makes an owl, nature of an owl, evolution, extinct owls, species [249 of them], etc). In fact, although I am well-versed on owl facts, I was already learning retainable information within the first few pages. Owl lovers will be left feeling “giddy”.
Also adding to the substance of the text, are the various charts, tables, and photos. These are scientific, yet simple, fresh, and first-hand material from Mikkola’s own research versus a meager compiling of data. This primary view creates a vibrant book and makes “Owls of the World” stand out amongst other owl sources.
There are some uses of scientific jargon which may dumbfound the average reader and a glossary is tricky to find (page 75). Furthermore, some research is not presented as it simply does not exist (if Mikkola isn’t aware of it, then it doesn’t’ exist). To counteract this, “Owls of the World” offers a link/email contact to provide any research updates or photos for examination for future volumes of the text. Mikkola also insists of emailing him to view his 5,000 bibliography sources used (not published within the text, as it would have added 150 pages).
Although not as detailed as a field guide book, each plate for each species covers information regarding: names, measurements, other names, identification, juvenile descriptions, call, food, habitat, status & description, in-flight patters, distribution maps, similar species, geographical variations, and photographs. The text is smooth, clear, and Mikkola is direct when the information is lacking.
Although the sections (categorizations) make sense (Barn Owls, Eagle Owls, Screech Owls, Pygmies, Hawk Owls, etc); “Owls of the World” could have used some descriptions of what makes each category in terms of the owl groups varying from each other. Furthermore, each owl listing would benefit with facts relating to how owls living in the same geographical areas interact (such as whether habitat-protection fighting occurs).
“Owls of the World” is consistent and well presented but could have used a wrap-up/conclusion of some kind versus just ending with the last owl color plate. Mikkola does present a list of further reading, however.
“Owls of the World” is the ultimate book for owl or bird lovers and is a beautifully bound work of art filled with useful information. It is a must-have for an owl collection.
Even before one begins to read “Owls of the World”; a mere scanning of the colorful, glossy, and vivid pages revealing 750 photos will instantly delight, gratify, and excite. “Owls of the World” is the combination of an encyclopedia, coffee table book, animal biology source, field guide, social history brief, and animal/environmental rights source all meshed into one book. Basically, everything is covered regarding owls, albeit, even if just briefly.
Feeling overwhelmed already? Fear not, because Mikkola’s text is academic and concise, yet in an easy-to-understand style with a steady pace. “Owls of the World” is not a boring resource book. In fact, the sections are divided naturally (what makes an owl, nature of an owl, evolution, extinct owls, species [249 of them], etc). In fact, although I am well-versed on owl facts, I was already learning retainable information within the first few pages. Owl lovers will be left feeling “giddy”.
Also adding to the substance of the text, are the various charts, tables, and photos. These are scientific, yet simple, fresh, and first-hand material from Mikkola’s own research versus a meager compiling of data. This primary view creates a vibrant book and makes “Owls of the World” stand out amongst other owl sources.
There are some uses of scientific jargon which may dumbfound the average reader and a glossary is tricky to find (page 75). Furthermore, some research is not presented as it simply does not exist (if Mikkola isn’t aware of it, then it doesn’t’ exist). To counteract this, “Owls of the World” offers a link/email contact to provide any research updates or photos for examination for future volumes of the text. Mikkola also insists of emailing him to view his 5,000 bibliography sources used (not published within the text, as it would have added 150 pages).
Although not as detailed as a field guide book, each plate for each species covers information regarding: names, measurements, other names, identification, juvenile descriptions, call, food, habitat, status & description, in-flight patters, distribution maps, similar species, geographical variations, and photographs. The text is smooth, clear, and Mikkola is direct when the information is lacking.
Although the sections (categorizations) make sense (Barn Owls, Eagle Owls, Screech Owls, Pygmies, Hawk Owls, etc); “Owls of the World” could have used some descriptions of what makes each category in terms of the owl groups varying from each other. Furthermore, each owl listing would benefit with facts relating to how owls living in the same geographical areas interact (such as whether habitat-protection fighting occurs).
“Owls of the World” is consistent and well presented but could have used a wrap-up/conclusion of some kind versus just ending with the last owl color plate. Mikkola does present a list of further reading, however.
“Owls of the World” is the ultimate book for owl or bird lovers and is a beautifully bound work of art filled with useful information. It is a must-have for an owl collection.
February 24, 2023
The photography and information in this book is stellar. I could look at owls all day.
July 24, 2013
A wonderful and lavishly illustrated photographic guide to all the known owl species in the world, all 249 of them. If you love birds and especially the personable owls of the bird world, you will want to see this book. Owls are beautiful birds; I think my favorite is the Northern White-Faced Owl found in Africa, but all owls are impressive even those with unusual names like the Sjostedt's Owlet, Etchecopar's Owlet, and the Tamaulipas Pygmy Owl. If we compare owl lovers to chocolate lovers this is a chocolate cake with chocolate icing and chocolate ice cream on the top with chocolate sprinkles on the ice-cream. For owl fans It doesn't get any better than this.
November 20, 2012
This was exactly what I hoped it would be. It offers great photos of all the known owl species and subspecies (except for a few exceptions, where the owl is so rare there are no known photographs) and concise, detailed information on everything from habitat to coloration.
July 17, 2013
Best book ever. For fans of the visual comedic stylings of Sam the Eagle.
March 9, 2014
What a superb resource for anyone who wants to learn about owls, look at splendid photos, learn more about this amazing raptor. Stunning photographs, simply stunning.
May 11, 2017
Beautiful book. I love the photographs. For anyone that loves owls will love this book.
October 23, 2019
This is a beautiful volume, with a lot of interesting information and great photos of 249 species, and of many subspecies, of a distinctive and beloved group of birds. Although the author is based in Finland and the author of Owls of Europe, the text does not seem Eurocentric. Among many other things, I learned that ‘reverse sex dimorphism’ should not be applied to species like owls or hawks in which females are usually bigger than males, because this is the pattern of the vast majority of animals (invertebrates more often than mammals or birds). Owls are distinctive in their exceptional vision as well as hearing and silent flight. Since Toronto’s owl season is winter, when we host visitors from the north, I was surprised to learn that more than 80% of owl species are tropical, 68% are in the southern hemisphere, and most don’t migrate. Equally surprising to me, the majority is primarily insectivorous, and less than a third are carnivorous (aren’t insects made of meat?). There is also lots of information on calls, color variation, ageing, molt, behavior, interspecific aggression (many big owls eliminate competition from smaller owls by eating them), feeding, migration, breeding strategies, and the cultural significance of owls through history. Perhaps because most owls are nocturnal and fly silently, they have inspired fear and superstition in many cultures, but a reputation for wisdom in others. Some beliefs have led to “uses” in “traditional medicine” – leading to slaughter of owls (among many other species) for no good reason. However, habitat destruction through forest clearance for wood or farms or by climate-change-induced fire has been much more detrimental to owls in recent years, as have pesticides.
The taxonomy used in the book differs significantly from that used by Birdlife International and ebird, which recognize only about 200 species. Although the taxonomy section clearly defines 3 alternatives to the biological species concept (morphological, evolutionary, and genotypic cluster species concepts), and points out their disadvantages, appearing to confirm the merits of the biological species concept, the author does not choose. I would have preferred that the difference in taxonomy from the international standard had been addressed, both in general and in each “species” account. Fortunately, Mikkola is clear that the taxonomy is based largely on that presented in Owls of the World, Konig et al, 2008, which turns out to have excellent discussion of the arguments behind the taxonomy proposed there. While evidence for some of the tropical species proposed is limited, I believe the taxonomy used in these books is likely to be closer to the truth than that currently accepted by Birdlife, which must wait for the various regional taxonomic authorities to recognize species before accepting them. Since many of the proposed new owl species differ mainly by voice from accepted species, and are found in remote tropical forests, this may take some time.
I was surprised to see the word “Eskimos” in a new book in 2012 - pejorative terms for aboriginal peoples are still appallingly common, despite the ease of checking what a people prefers to be called.
Despite these drawbacks, this book is better arranged than Konig, and has a better claim to the title than Owls of the World by James Duncan, 2003, which, while full of fascinating material, does not include the latest taxonomy, and might better have been titled, Owls of Canada and other places.
The taxonomy used in the book differs significantly from that used by Birdlife International and ebird, which recognize only about 200 species. Although the taxonomy section clearly defines 3 alternatives to the biological species concept (morphological, evolutionary, and genotypic cluster species concepts), and points out their disadvantages, appearing to confirm the merits of the biological species concept, the author does not choose. I would have preferred that the difference in taxonomy from the international standard had been addressed, both in general and in each “species” account. Fortunately, Mikkola is clear that the taxonomy is based largely on that presented in Owls of the World, Konig et al, 2008, which turns out to have excellent discussion of the arguments behind the taxonomy proposed there. While evidence for some of the tropical species proposed is limited, I believe the taxonomy used in these books is likely to be closer to the truth than that currently accepted by Birdlife, which must wait for the various regional taxonomic authorities to recognize species before accepting them. Since many of the proposed new owl species differ mainly by voice from accepted species, and are found in remote tropical forests, this may take some time.
I was surprised to see the word “Eskimos” in a new book in 2012 - pejorative terms for aboriginal peoples are still appallingly common, despite the ease of checking what a people prefers to be called.
Despite these drawbacks, this book is better arranged than Konig, and has a better claim to the title than Owls of the World by James Duncan, 2003, which, while full of fascinating material, does not include the latest taxonomy, and might better have been titled, Owls of Canada and other places.
May 2, 2025
It's been an incredibly enjoyable 3.5 months of reading.
I love owls so much and to have a comprehensive book filled with every single owl known to man (2012) is a godsend.
Couple inconsistencies and errors that resulted in me knocking a star:
1) 99% of the owls are alive, 1% are dead - why did Mikkola choose pictures of dead/stuffed owls when there are plenty photos of alive owls to spare?
2) Errors: the 'undiscovered' grey bellied little owl which supposedly has no photos is in fact, the BOREAL OWL (source: https://www.birdforum.net/threads/gre...). I was so excited to notice an owl with so little information about it in a fairly easy-to-access area - only to find after researching said owl that it actually already exists and is well-documented. Very silly.
3) Diet sections are really lazy attempts: just a sentence at most.
4) Where are the references/sources for the claims about each bird?
Overall, great book. For such a large project it really ought not to have slipped up on the most silliest of things.
I love owls so much and to have a comprehensive book filled with every single owl known to man (2012) is a godsend.
Couple inconsistencies and errors that resulted in me knocking a star:
1) 99% of the owls are alive, 1% are dead - why did Mikkola choose pictures of dead/stuffed owls when there are plenty photos of alive owls to spare?
2) Errors: the 'undiscovered' grey bellied little owl which supposedly has no photos is in fact, the BOREAL OWL (source: https://www.birdforum.net/threads/gre...). I was so excited to notice an owl with so little information about it in a fairly easy-to-access area - only to find after researching said owl that it actually already exists and is well-documented. Very silly.
3) Diet sections are really lazy attempts: just a sentence at most.
4) Where are the references/sources for the claims about each bird?
Overall, great book. For such a large project it really ought not to have slipped up on the most silliest of things.
September 20, 2023
I thought the photographs were amazing. Though there were some issues. Instead of dead owls, drawings could have been used and the length of small owls were made large in the description portion of the guide.
April 12, 2024
What a fabulous, informative book. I didn’t read it from cover to cover, therefore not counting it towards yearly books read. This is an excellent reference guide for bird enthusiasts or admirers of owls. I wouldn’t mind an edition of this on my shelf.
February 26, 2021
Excellent species view of owls around the world including habitat, mating, food, endangered status and more.
April 26, 2021
Great pics! So many species of owls from all over the world. I enjoyed it.
March 21, 2023
Just - wow. Wow, wow, wow. Owls.
September 28, 2023
Fabulous!
One of the best things about buying this book on Kindle is that owl calls are embedded in the guide, so you can learn to recognize an owl’s presence by ear!
One of the best things about buying this book on Kindle is that owl calls are embedded in the guide, so you can learn to recognize an owl’s presence by ear!
August 29, 2013
Excellent resource but I don't like that taxidermed owls are included!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews