Having trouble separating your screech from your scops owls, Tawny Owl from Tengmalm's, or Spotted from Collared or Jungle Owlets? Then this is the book for you.

Owls of the World is the ultimate photographic resource dedicated to the identification of these charismatic, 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 255 species of owls; particular attention is given to subspecific differences, sexing and ageing. The photos are accompanied by concise text on the identification, habitat, food, distribution and voice of these birds, along with accurate range maps.

Ten years on from the previous edition, much has changed in terms of taxonomy, and this is fully reflected in a completely updated text, improvements in the maps, and a fresh and improved series of photos (including some species that had never been photographed in the wild previously), giving this book an unparalleled level of coverage as well, of course, as being a work of great beauty in its own right.

Heimo Mikkola's magnificent work is the definitive work on owl identification – no birder's bookshelf should be without it.