Owls of the World JAMES DUNCAN
Experience enigmatic owls across the globe through exquisite photos and intriguing scientific facts.
“A knowledgeable and scholarly overview of the owls, written in a style that makes it accessible to the non-specialist, and illustrated with a mass of images, many of quite outstanding quality . . . thoroughly recommended!” —British Birds Magazine
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n this beautiful book, James Duncan explores the behavior and lifecycle of the elusive owl, including courtship, nesting, and the unique adaptations for nocturnal life and predation that make this group of birds such stealthy hunters. Showcasing stunning full-color photographs from around the world, this book touches on a diverse array of the world’s 200+ owl species, from the beautiful and highly recognizable Snowy Owl, which thrives on the freezing Arctic tundra, to the secretive and rare Forest Owlet, which haunts the mangroves of India.
Duncan, who has banded more than 2,500 owls during the course of his research, explains why owls’ particular physiology—from their ability to rotate their heads 270 degrees in either direction to their soft feathers, camouflaged plumage, and unique vocalizations—have helped them thrive. A chapter covers each owl family, including huge Eagle-Owls, diminutive Pygmy Owls, familiar Barn Owls, and unusual fishing and burrowing owls. Closing chapters look at relationships between owls and humans by exploring such issues as banding and falconry, threats to owls from human factors, and attendant conservation issues. An entertaining compendium of owls that depicts the birds’ secret lives with both accuracy and grace, Owls of the World will appeal to birdwatchers, nature lovers, and dedicated owl aficionados alike.
“A photographic feast containing a truly wonderful collection of stunning owl portraits and action shots. . . . its author and the wise words he delivers place it head and shoulders above many similar books that adorn ‘coffee tables’ around the world. This book, above all else, encourages people to care about owls. An absolutely brilliant book.” —David Ramsden MBE, Head of Conservation, The Barn Owl Trust
Owl expert James Duncan is the director of the Wildlife and Fisheries Branch of the Manitoba Department of Sustainable Development. He is the author of The Complete Book of North American Owls.
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BEHAVIOUR AND ECOLOGY
Hunting Owl hunting techniques vary by species, habitat, environmental conditions and prey availability. The Short-eared Owl’s (Asio flammeus) habit of hunting in flight in open grassland habitat during daylight gives people many chances to see it. Its ability to hunt on the wing makes them one of the few owls able to catch bird prey in flight. Long and relatively pointed wings are well suited to seasonal long distance migrations from arctic and northern prairie grassland nesting areas to warmer wintering areas with little or no snow cover.
OPPOSITE AND BELOW: Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) in flight. OVERLEAF: Western Barn Owl (Tyto alba)
fully committed to an attack.
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Publication date: October 2018 8-5/8 x 10, 192 pages 127 color illustrations 978-1-4214-2718-8 $29.95 hc
Sales queries: Kerry Cahill Sales Director 410-516-6936 kpc@press.jhu.edu Media queries: Kathryn Marguy Publicity Manager 410-516-4162 krm@press.jhu.edu
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