Owls have been a source of fascination and awe throughout history. In Indian folklore, owls represent wisdom and helpfulness, while in Ancient Greece they were seen as a good omen if sighted before a battle. Today, owls are often kept as pets by bird lovers, and can be found in woodland and forests from the Canadian Arctic to the deserts of the Arabian peninsula. Full of fun facts and expert insights, Owls introduces these iconic birds in all their variety. Did you know that owls can rotate their necks 270 degrees, or that an owl’s ears are asymmetrical? Or that owls are considered apex predators? Or that the tiniest owl in the world is the Elf Owl, a mere 12cm (5 inches) tall, while the largest North American owl is the Great Gray Owl at 80cm (32 inches) tall. Or that Barn Owls swallow their prey whole – skin, bones, and all – and they eat up to a thousand mice each year.

With chapters divided into type of owl – Barn & Grass Owls, Typical Owls, Snowy, Horned and Eagle Owls, Wood Owls, Pygmy Owls, and Owlets and Nesting – this book is a concise examination of these superb aerial hunters in over 200 vivid photographs.