Description
An essential compendium on the biology, identification, distribution and conservation of Europe’s 13 species of owls.
Owls are fascinating birds, with remarkable adaptations for their lives as nocturnal hunters. Covering the 13 species of owls that occur across the continent, Owls of Europe features detailed drawings of typical positions, behaviours and facial expressions, alongside more than 300 photos selected to demonstrate age and subspecific variation, colour phases and the birds in flight.
This book includes up-to-date distribution maps and the latest European population estimates, along with detailed text on behaviour, voice, brood biology and juvenile development, life strategies, hunting techniques, choice of prey and habitat requirements for each species. It also explores human interactions with owls, from the threats posed to determined conservation efforts.
Owls of Europe is an essential book for birdwatchers, professional ornithologists and those who simply love owls.
Table of Contents
Features and species
Shared characters
Species diversity and evolution
Adaptations of owls
Highly specialised sense organs
Communication signals
Owl behaviour
Rest, body maintenance, and movement
Hunting
Avoidance of predators and disturbance
Intra- and inter-specific relationships
Display and courtship
Reproduction and brood care
Nestling period and juvenile development
Life strategies of owls
Activity pattern
Choice of prey
Mating systems and reproductive strategies
Habitat requirements
Important habitat parameters
Site selection
Natural and cultivated landscapes as owl habitats
Unnatural risk factors
Protection and conservation
Owls – victims of superstition
Anthropocentric owl protection
Species protection – a global obligation
Ensuring habitat quality
The species
Barn Owl Tyto alba
Eagle Owl Bubo bubo
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus
Great Grey Owl Strix nebulosa
Ural Owl Strix uralensis
Tawny Owl Strix aluco
Long-eared Owl Asio otus
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
Scops Owl Otus scops
Hawk Owl Surnia ulula
Pygmy Owl Glaucidium passerinum
Little Owl Athene noctua
Tengmalm’s Owl Aegolius funereus
Determining characteristics of European owls
Addresses
Sources of population estimates
Further reading
About the authors
About the translator
Index
