Owls of the United States and Canada
A Complete Guide to Their Biology and Behavior
- Publisher
- Johns Hopkins University Press
- Initial publish date
- Nov 2007
- Category
- Birdwatching Guides, Reference, Plants & Animals, Ornithology
-
Hardback
- ISBN
- 9780774814591
- Publish Date
- Nov 2007
- List Price
- $39.95
-
Hardback
- ISBN
- 9780801886874
- Publish Date
- Nov 2007
- List Price
- $57.95
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
Named One of the Best Reference Books of 2007 by Library Journal
There is no group of birds more mysterious and fascinating than owls. The loudmouths of the raptor world, they peep, trill, toot, bark, growl, shriek, whistle, chittle, whoop, chuckle, boom, and buzz. Indeed, very few actually "hoot." They have become the stuff of lore and legend—from the Roman myth that an owl foot could reveal secrets to the First Nations belief that an owl feather could give a newborn better night vision. But the truth about owls is much more exciting.
In this gorgeous book, celebrated natural history writer and wildlife photographer Wayne Lynch reveals the secrets of these elusive species with stunning photographs, personal anecdotes, and accessible science. The photos alone are masterpieces. Unlike most published owl photos, which are portraits of birds in captivity, the vast majority of these were taken in the wild—a product of the author-photographer's incredible knowledge and patience.
Lynch complements the photos with a wealth of facts about anatomy, habitat, diet, and family life. For each of the nineteen species that inhabit Canada and the United States, he provides a range map and a brief discussion of its distribution, population size, and status. Lynch debunks myths about owls' "supernatural" powers of sight and hearing, discusses courtship rituals, and offers personal tips for finding owls in the wild.
From the great horned to the tiny elf owl, this amazing volume captures the beauty and mystery of these charismatic birds of prey.
About the author
Wildlife photographer and science writer Dr. Wayne Lynch has dedicated almost three decades to learning everything he can about these powerful mammals. In his quest for bears, he has crawled inside the winter dens of black bears and polar bears, held squirming grizzly cubs in his arms, sailed along the coastal rainforests of British Columbia, hiked the cloud forests of the Andes Mountains in South America and ridden elephants through the jungles of Nepal and India.
In Bears, Bears, Bears for Kids, his engaging guide to the world's eight bear species, Lynch introduces us to the strange and wonderful natural histories of these magnificent wild animals.
For more than 40 years, Dr. Wayne Lynch has been writing about and photographing the wildlands of the world from the stark beauty of the Arctic and Antarctic to the lush rainforests of the tropics. Today, he is one of Canada's best-known and most widely published nature writers and wildlife photographers. His photo credits include hundreds of magazine covers, thousands of calendar shots, and tens of thousands of images published in over 80 countries. He is also the author/photographer of more than 45 books for children as well as over 20 highly acclaimed natural history books for adults including Windswept: A Passionate View of the Prairie Grasslands; Penguins of the World; Bears: Monarchs of the Northern Wilderness; A is for Arctic: Natural Wonders of a Polar World; Wild Birds Across the Prairies;Planet Arctic: Life at the Top of the World; The Great Northern Kingdom: Life in the Boreal Forest; Owls of the United States and Canada: A Complete Guide to their Biology and Behavior; Penguins: The World's Coolest Birds; Galapagos: A Traveler's Introduction; A Celebration of Prairie Birds; and Bears of the North: A Year Inside Their Worlds.In 2022, he released Wildlife of the Rockies for Kids and Loons: Treasured Symbols of the North. His books have won multiple awards and have been described as "a magical combination of words and images."
Editorial Reviews
"This is, in short, far and away the best owl book this reviewer has seen designed especially for general audiences. The writing is clear, concise, scientifically accurate, and totally readable."
"This beautifully illustrated book contains a wealth of fascinating information... Will be much appreciated by birders, naturalists, and anyone with an interest in owls."
Southeastern Naturalist
"I have more than a dozen owl books... but probably none is so attractive and accessibly informative as this one."
Great Plains Research
"Beautiful, readable, and affordable. So if you plan to give it as a gift, I suggest you buy a copy for yourself as well."
Tuscaloosa News
"Overall this book is a pleasure to read whether you're a diehard owl enthusiast or a casual admirer. You'll find yourself wanting to leave this book somewhere conspicuous, so you can show the images off to friends, family, and unwary passersby."
Bird Watcher's Digest
"Thoughtfully organized... it is an outstanding reference for this remarkable family of birds."
"This is a must have book for anyone interested in owls."
"This work is a labor of love. The author has done an admirable job."
"This is a gorgeous book from celebrated natural history writer and wildlife photographer Wayne Lynch."
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The Scoop on Poop
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Penguins!
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