Volume 15 is the penultimate volume in this series and the families Ploceidae (Weavers), Viduidae (Whydahs and Indigobirds), Estrildidae (Waxbills), Vireonidae (Vireos), Fringillidae (Finches), Drepanididae (Hawaiian Honeycreepers), Peucedramidae (Olive Warblers), and Parulidae (New World Warblers). This volume has a foreword on conservation of the world's birds.
Foreword on conservation of the world's birds, by Stuart Butchart, Nigel Collar, Alison Stattersfield & Leon Bennun
Family Ploceidae (Weavers)
Family Viduidae (Whydahs and Indigobirds)
Family Estrildidae (Waxbills)
Family Vireonidae (Vireos)
Family Fringillidae (Finches)
Family Drepanididae (Hawaiian Honeycreepers)
Family Peucedramidae (Olive Warbler)
Family Parulidae (New World Warblers)
"{...] This volume of Handbook of the Birds of the World (HBW), the penultimate volume, covers some of the most-studied of all species, and some of the most familiar birds in most parts of the world. [...] The authors provide an excellent, if not rather depressing analysis of the distribution and habitats of threatened bird species, and an analysis of trends (including a reminder that even many of our “common” birds are becoming much rarer) before embarking on a lengthy discussion on the principal threats to birds [...] This volume has fewer photographs than the most recent two volumes, 495, compared to an incredible 657 in HBW14 and 546 in HBW13, but as usual the standard of the photos used is excellent. It was somewhat disappointing, however, not to see any photographs of the breath-taking display flights of paradise-whydahs. Regarding illustrations; considering the incredible diversity of nest construction exhibited by weavers, it would have been of great interest to have included a plate or two illustrating these (though to be fair there are eight photos of completed nests)."
- Frank Lambert (09-04-2011), read the full review at The Birder's Library
"Volume 15 contains four families of considerable interest, not to mention complexity [...] The format by now must be well known to everyone and this volume certainly lives up to the standard. [...] the selection of photographs within the family essays range from the excellent to the stunning, particularly as many of them illustrate a point of behaviour or biology as well."
- Peter Lack, Bulletin of the African Bird Club 18(2), September 2011