The definitive book on owls. Owls are enduringly popular birds, but due to their nocturnal habits most species are difficult to see well. The plumages of many species are cryptic and difficult to separate by plumage alone. This problem is compounded by the different morphs that many adopt. This book fully describes every known species and subspecies of owl, as well as presenting the latest evidence on owl taxonomy, based on DNA work and vocalisations. Because voice is vital in owl identification, much emphasis is placed on it in the book and sonograms are provided for many species. A CD of owl vocalisations accompanies the book.
Autorentext
Professor Claus König is a world authority on owls. He has written numerous papers on the subject and has described several new species of owls. He retired as Director of the Natural History Museum in Stuttgart.
Zusammenfassung
The definitive book on owls.Owls are enduringly popular birds, but due to their nocturnal habits most species are difficult to see well. The plumages of many species are cryptic and difficult to separate by plumage alone. This problem is compounded by the different morphs that many adopt.This book fully describes every known species and subspecies of owl, as well as presenting the latest evidence on owl taxonomy, based on DNA work and vocalisations. Because voice is vital in owl identification, much emphasis is placed on it in the book and sonograms are provided for many species.A CD of owl vocalisations accompanies the book.
Inhalt
Introduction
Acknowledgements
Layout of the Book
Owls: An Overview:
- Morphology and Anatomy
- Topography
- Food
- Hunting
- Behaviour
- Breeding
- Vocalizations
- Systematic and Taxonomy
How to Study Owls
Conservation
Molecular Phylogeny and Systematic of the Owls (Strigiformes) by Michael Wink et al.
Colour Plates
Systematic Section
Recently Discovered Owls
Bibliography