After illuminating the lives of the Robin, the Swan, the Wren and other iconic birds, celebrated naturalist Stephen Moss delivers a fascinating biography of one of the most mysterious and enigmatic avian species.
Uncover the secret life of owls through this beautiful guide to these secretive and charismatic birds.
Owls are among the most mysterious birds in the world. Their hauntingly beautiful calls and mostly nocturnal habits have long captured our collective imagination, inspiring more superstitions, folktales and myths than any other group of birds. Seven species of owl - the tawny, little, barn, long-eared, short-eared, snowy and eagle owl - can be found in the British Isles (out of sixteen different kinds across Europe). They have lived alongside people for thousands of years, yet we still know so little about their day-to-day lives.
Discover their fascinating lives, from the moment they first hatch, to the way they hunt their prey and how they raise the next generation. Explore the rich folklore they've inspired around the world and learn how, with a bit of luck, you can catch a glimpse of them yourself.
With beautiful illustrations throughout, and expert birdwatching tips, this eye-opening biography reveals the hidden secrets of one of the world's most famous and beloved birds.
Publisher: Vintage Publishing
ISBN: 9781529908268
Number of pages: 208
Weight: 454 g
Dimensions: 205 x 136 x 22 mm
Seven species of owl make their home in the British Isles, and this stunning volume is a worthy tribute to them. It shouts quality with luscious cream-coloured paper and wonderful illustrations. That said, the main delight is in Stephen's detailed examination of these nocturnal birds. His engaging and eye-opening text covers fascinating facts, history, science myths and folklore as well as providing birdwatching tops. This book will not only be well-read but will also be kept as a useful reference. - Lorraine Connolly, The Countryman
A short, elegantly illustrated study [that] sets out the mysterious appeal of a night bird that more people hear than see ... Not long ago popular bird books were principally about people, the places where they could find birds — more specifically, where they could take their car to see them. In Moss’s biography, however, each owl has its own chapter. There are cameo parts for poets and pet-owners, but The Owl is, beautifully, a book about birds. - Peter Stothard, The Sunday Times
Stephen Moss concentrates on the seven owls known to have bred in Britain. This tighter focus enables him to look at each species in greater detail… informative - Patrick Scrivenor, Literary Review
After an introductory chapter explaining the main characteristics of owls, along with tables showing estimated populations, there is a chapter dedicated to each of the species seen in Britain. It’s not all facts and... More
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