Owls of Europe: Biology, Identification and Conservation

by Wolfgang Scherzinger, Theodor Mebs

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781399410793
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	02/04/2025
Pages:	416
Product dimensions:	1.00(w) x 1.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Wolfgang Scherzinger is an Austrian ornithologist with a particular expertise in owls. His research focused on the Bavarian Forest National Park where he worked as a zoologist. He has been significantly involved in the forest's protection since 1971, and was involved in the reintroduction of both Eagle Owl and Ural Owl to the forest. The late Theodor Mebs was a German ornithologist and author, who spent his career researching the biology of birds of prey.

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

Index