Owls have consistently featured prominently within the mythology and folklore of a number of cultures. those mysterious nocturnal creatures are considered symbols of knowledge, omens of loss of life, and bringers of prophecy. actually, owls are one of many oldest species of vertebrate animal, with fossils courting again 60 million years.

Owls were a resource of thought to writers, artists, historians and naturalists alike. In a much-anticipated quantity on one among Britain’s so much interesting crew of birds, Mike Toms attracts on a wealth of expertise and learn, offering a finished normal historical past of British owls.

The first a part of the publication covers a number of points of owl taxonomy, origins, anatomy, behaviour and ecology and appears around the British owl species, drawing comparisons and highlighting changes. the second one half takes every one species in flip to supply a extra specified viewpoint, fleshing out appropriate conservation matters, behaviour and status.

Toms explores Britain’s loved Barn Owl, Tawny Owl and Snowy Owl among numerous others. He makes use of the substantial database and newest learn from his paintings with the British belief for Ornithology (BTO) to concentration rather at the specifics of owls’ breeding ecology, their dispersal styles, nutrition, vocalisations, description, inhabitants alterations and mortality. He addresses conservation concerns, adjustments in laws and power adjustments within the prestige of 1 of Britain’s such a lot iconic birds, supplying a desirable assessment of the biology and historical past of British owls.