Owls

These fascinating specialized birds with their rounds heads and “dished-shaped” faces, have forward-facing eyes, short hooked bills, and are mainly nocturnal. Some owls, however, are active at dawn or dusk and others may be seen during the day. Owls are found in temperate and tropical parts of the world.

The barn owl is a popular countryside bird. It has a heart-shaped face, and pure white feathers on the underside of its body. It is at the heart of the countryside although it has suffered a decline since the 20th century. The long-eared owl is medium size, but smaller than a woodpigeon. Unlike other species it appears long and thin, and sports head feathers, known as ear tufts (although they are not ears), which it raises when alarmed. Short-eared owls are also medium in size. They have mottled brown bodies and yellow eyes (the long-eared owl has orange eyes).

Tawny owls are roughly the same size as a pigeon and have a rounded body and head. A ring of dark feathers surrounds dark eyes of this widespread species found in England, Scotland, and Wales. They are resident in their territories and live in established pairs. The male snowy owl is pure white and its plumage echoes its Arctic origins. Females never become completely white. They breed on the Arctic tundra but clutches of eggs depend on the availability of food. Pairs are territorial and may not breed if food is scarce. This book covers owls from their evolution to their conservation status in today’s environment.