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c o n t e n t s Introduction 7 T h e o w l s 29 r e p o r ta g e 111
Glossary 123 Associations 124
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Index 128
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the owls
boobook owl
boobook owl
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he Australasian Boobook Owl looks as if it has just stepped out of a cartoon strip; its small stature and huge eyes lend it an irresistible charm. Capable of thriving in most habitats, it lives almost entirely on insects. Its two-note call bears a striking resemblance to that of the European cuckoo.
Hunting
Features
Wingspan ......................... 2.7 ft (0.9 m)
The diminutive little Boobook Owl is identified by its stunning plumage: the upperparts are chocolate-brown, while its underparts are cream to buff, with broad to dark brown streaks and mottling. Its facial disc is much paler, though a large dark-chocolate patch frames each of the Boobook’s enormous yellow eyes. Interestingly, this breed’s ears are placed at different levels on its head; the higher ear has an opening which faces downwards and is more sensitive to noises below. The bill and feet are blue-gray in color.
Feeding mostly on insects, the nocturnal Boobook’s main hunting technique is to perch and pounce; however they are agile birds and can maneuver quickly when pursuing prey such as small mammals.
Size Female weight ......................... 12.5 oz (360 g) Male weight ......................... 10.5 oz (300 g)
Habitat & Distribution One of Australasia’s most abundant breeds, the Boobook Owl is the ultimate tree-dweller and will find a home wherever there are trees. The eucalypt forest and woodland appear to be its optimum habitat, but it can also be found in tree-lined creeks and leafy suburbs. Australasia
Call The Boobook Owl is also known as the “mopoke” because its distinctive double hoot resembles this sound. The second note of this call is lower than the first, and each note lasts about a quarter of a second. Its mating call ranges between a low, soft “pot, pot, pot” and a tremulous braying sound.
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NINOX NOVAESEELANDIAE
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THE o w l s
spectacled owl
spectacled owl
T
he most striking features of the Spectacled Owl are the white eyebrows around its eyes. It can be difficult to spot in the wild, however, as this nocturnal and unsociable bird inhabits the dense tropical rainforests of Central and South America. It does not hoot like most owls but makes chattering, knocking sounds. Features The large Spectacled Owl is so-named because of the distinctive white “spectacles” framing its yellow eyes. Its plumage is dark brown with a white to yellow-ochre belly, a white patch on the front of the neck, a dark brown belt across the breast, and a dark brown facial disc. An abundance of feathers on its breast gives this owl a fluffy appearance; it often looks as though it is wearing high-waisted trousers! The head is large and lacking ear tufts.
Hunting The Spectacled Owl usually hunts after dusk. It swoops to pluck small mammals such as mice and skunks from the ground; insects are snatched from foliage.
Size Female weight ......................... 2 lb (0.9 kg) Male weight ......................... 1.5 lb (0.7 kg) Wingspan ......................... 3 ft (0.9 m)
Habitat & Distribution The Spectacled Owl is at home in dense tropical rainforests with mature, large trees; though this breed can also be found in plantations and open areas with scattered trees. Owls can be found in Mexico, Central America, and the northern two-thirds of South America. Mexico
Call Known in Brazil as the “Knocking Owl”, the Spectacled Owl’s call is a series of deep tapping “pup, pup, pup” sounds. Each successive note is lower and weaker but the rhythm quickens as the series progresses. The female also emits a hawk-like scream, which has been likened to a steam whistle. These owls are most vocal on calm, moonlit nights.
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PULSATRIX PERSPICILLATA
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the owls
CANADIAN GREAT HORNED owl
canadian great horned owl
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ne of Canada’s most common birds of prey, the Canadian Great Horned Owl derives its name from its eye-catching ear tufts, which have no effect on its hearing ability. This powerful bird ranges from 18 in (45 cm) to 24 in (60 cm) from beak to tail. Pairs tend to be lifelong partners.
Hunting The power and savagery of this owl’s hunting process is well documented. It regularly preys on smaller owls, and has even been known to attack Red-tailed Hawks. It has no natural enemies and will eat anything from crayfish to young foxes.
Size Female weight ......................... 3.8 lb (1.7 kg)
Features
Male weight ......................... 2.9 lb (1.3 kg)
The Canadian Great Horned Owl is the epitome of a bird of prey: enormous in both height and weight. One of the largest owl breeds in the world, this bird is also known for its prominent ear tufts, golden eyes and white throat patch. The chest is barred, and they are generally dark gray or brown on the upperparts and white or light gray/brown on the underparts and facial disc. These owls closely resemble the Eurasian Eagle Owl – they have been called the New World version of this breed – however, they are slightly smaller and have different color eyes.
Wingspan ......................... 5 ft (1.5 m)
Habitat & Distribution Inhabiting virtually every type of terrain in North America, the Canadian Great Horned Owl is one of the most diverse and climatically tolerant of any North American Owl. North America
Call This owl’s call is a series of three to eight loud, deep hoots, with the second and third hoots often short and rapid, so resembling a “hu-huhoooo, hooh, hooh” noise.
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B ubo vir g inianus
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the owls
barn owl
barn owl
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ften spotted hovering over a field at dusk, the graceful Barn Owl is a muchloved feature of the countryside. Well known for its white, heart-shaped face, the British species of this breed has lost many traditional nesting sites and food sources. It is now so rare it has been given the UK’s highest level of protection.
Hunting
Features
Wingspan ......................... 3.5 ft (1.1 m)
The head and upper body of the Barn Owl is typically light brown with darker gray feathers (especially on the the forehead and back), which display finer black-and-white speckles. Its underparts are white, as is its facial disc. The Barn Owl’s heart-shaped facial disc and jet black eyes give this breed a rather haunting appearance – as though it is wearing a mask. The bill is typically a pale horn to dark buff, corresponding to the general hue of the bird’s plumage.
Compared to owls of a similar size, the nocturnal Barn Owl has a much higher metabolic rate, and will therefore consume more rodents, pound for pound, than any other creature. This makes the Barn Owl a popular pest deterrent with farmers.
Size Female weight ......................... 1.3 lb (0.6 kg) Cock weight ......................... 1 lb (0.5 kg)
Habitat & Distribution The Barn Owl is one of the most wide-spread of all land birds, and is found on all continents, except Antarctica. It mostly inhabits open countryside, nesting in old barns. The conversion of old buildings into housing has been blamed for the decline in Barn Owl numbers.
Call Contrary to the traditional “twit-twoo” of literary tales, the Barn Owl does not hoot, but produces a shree scream instead, which can be ear-shattering at close range! Males in courtship also emit a shrill twitter.
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t y to alba
England