The Owl Handbook: Investigating the Lives, Habits, and Importance of These Enigmatic Birds [Paperback]

Charismatic, intriguing, and misunderstood:The Owl Handbookprovides a beautifully photographed, thoughtfully researched, and accessible guide to these complex, captivating creatures.

Spot an owl that’s long been watching your every move and darker aspects of its reputation may spring to mind: harbinger of doom, guides through the spirit world, merciless bird of prey. Mythology and superstitions have projected our fear of the unknown onto these mostly night-dwelling creatures. But these wondrous birds are so much more than shadows or silent glides through the night. InThe Owl Handbook, lifelong birding enthusiast John Shewey leads us through an exploration of owls’ cultural impact as seen in folklore and mythology, provides in-depth investigations of 19 owls of North America and a survey of 200 owls across the globe, and gives advice on how to respectfully observe and protect these enigmatic birds, brought to life by hundreds of full-color photographs.
 

John Shewey is an Oregon-based naturalist, photographer, writer, and editor whose works includeThe Hummingbird Handbook,The Owl Handbook,Birds of the Pacific Northwest,Classic Steelhead Flies, andOregon Beaches: A Travelers Companion. John is also the longtime editor ofAmerican Fly Fishingmagazine and a dedicated desert rat who has left boot prints in the Northern Great Basins most remote places.

“The Owl Handbookguides readers in how to respectfully observe owls… This visually appealing and captivating introduction to owls is sure to appeal to general readers and owl enthusiasts alike.”Booklist“The plentiful photos and maps showing the range of each species will be a boon to birders, as will the suggestions on how to responsibly seek out owls in the wild… a competent overview of the nocturnal predators.”Publishers Weekly“This book willl'