James Ferguson-Lees and David A. Christie, Raptors of the World (2001), contains extensive text and graphics on the natural history of every species of the order Falconiformes. Brian K. Wheeler, Raptors of Eastern North America (2003) and Raptors of Western North America (2003), are heavily illustrated works detailing aspects of identification and distribution as well as natural history. Scott Weidensaul, Raptors: The Birds of Prey (1996), is not a taxonomic guide but a compendium of information ranging from natural history and evolution to conservation issues, raptor lore, and falconry. Nick Fox, Understanding the Bird of Prey (1995), addresses the training, care, and breeding of captive falconiforms. Discovery Communications, The Ultimate Guide: Birds of Prey (1997, reissued 1999), is a video documentary examining the anatomy, physiology, and evolution of falconiforms.
Claus König, Friedhelm Weick, and Jan-Hendrik Becking, Owls: A Guide to the Owls of the World (1999), covers the natural history of each species as well as general topics of conservation, evolution, and methods of studying owls. Floyd Scholz, Owls (2001), is notable for its numerous detailed photographs. Paul A. Johnsgard, North American Owls: Biology and Natural History, 2nd ed. (2002), is an in-depth examination of the 19 strigiforms found on the continent. Jemima Parry-Jones, Understanding Owls: Biology, Management, Breeding, Training (1998, reissued 2001), addresses the training, care, and breeding of captive owls. Michael Godfrey, Kenn Kaufman, and National Audubon Society, Owls Up Close (1991), is a video documentary that examines owl traits and behaviour.
General treatments of sharks, rays, and other chondrichthians are found in Julian Pepperell, Fishes of the Open Ocean: A Natural History and Illustrated Guide (2010); Joseph S. Nelson, Fishes of the World, 4th ed. (2006); Gene Helfman, Bruce B. Collette, Douglas E. Facey, Brian W. Bowen, The Diversity of Fishes: Biology, Evolution, and Ecology, 2nd ed. (2009); William C. Hamlett (ed.), Sharks, Skates, and Rays: The Biology of Elasmobranch Fishes (1999); and Merry D. Camhi, Ellen K. Pikitch, Elizabeth A. Babcock (eds.), Sharks of the Open Ocean (2008). More detailed treatments of chondrichthians appear in Jeffrey C. Carrier, John A. Musick, and Michael R. Heithaus (eds.), Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives (2004); and Jeffrey C. Carrier, John A. Musick, and Michael R. Heithaus (eds.), Sharks and Their Relatives II: Biodiversity, Adaptive Physiology, and Conservation (2010). Regional field guides of cartilaginous fishes include Glenn R. Parsons, Sharks, Skates, and Rays of the Gulf of Mexico: A Field Guide (2006); and Leonard Compagno, Marc Dando, and Sarah Fowler, Sharks of the World (2005).
An exceptional introduction to crocodilians can be found in Lynne Kelly, Crocodile: Evolution’s Greatest Survivor (2006). Other introductory works that also possess superb photographs include Charles A. Ross (ed.), Crocodiles and Alligators (1989); John L. Behler and Deborah A. Behler, Alligators & Crocodiles (1998); and Laurie Perrero, Alligators and Crocodiles of the World: The Disappearing Dragons, 2nd ed. (2003). A useful work that investigates the activities of alligators and crocodiles in captivity is F.W. Huchzermeyer, Crocodiles: Biology, Husbandry, and Diseases (2003).
More-technical treatments of crocodilian biology include Gordon C. Grigg, Frank Seebacher, and Craig E. Franklin (eds.), Crocodilian Biology and Evolution (2001); and John Thorbjarnarson (compiler), Crocodiles: An Action Plan for Their Conservation, ed. by Harry Messel, F. Wayne King, and James Perran Ross (1992). Ludwig Trutnau and Ralf Sommerlad, Crocodilians: Their Natural History & Captive Husbandry (2006), is an invaluable resource that covers crocodilian evolution and classification, ecology, conservation and management, physiology, and behaviour. A very helpful resource that places crocodilians within the context of vertebrate evolution is Michael J. Benton, Vertebrate Palaeontology, 3rd ed. (2005).