Most owls are almost perfectly adapted to life in the dark. Their vaguely humanoid faces reflect the spectacular evolution of their hearing and vision, which has made flight, romance, and predation possible in the near absence of light. This accessible guide, full of intriguing anecdotes, covers all 19 species of owls occurring in North America. More than an identification guide, Field Guide to Owls of California and the West describes the biology and behavior of owls to make finding and identifying them easier and watching them more enjoyable. The guide also explores the conservation challenges that owls face and tells how owls provide insights to scientists working in fields from technology to health.
* Color plates illustrate each species
* Range maps show the western distribution of North America's owls, 14 of which occur in California
* Offers tips for finding and watching owls
* Gives information on how to design, place, and maintain nest boxes
* Describes human attitudes toward owls through history, including in Native American cultures of the West
Hans Peeters, Professor of Biology, Zoology, and Ecology emeritus at Chabot College, is coauthor, with Pam Peeters, of Raptors of California (UC Press), with E.W. Jameson, Jr., of Mammals of California (UC Press) and author of American Hawking. His illustrations have appeared in many bird guides including The American Bird Conservancy's All the Birds of North America, Book of North American Birds, and Birds of South Asia. An award-winning painter, two of his depictions of Golden Eagles have appeared on Mexican stamps.
"Hans Peeters has done it again. His stellar Field Guide to Owls of California and the West is a fitting companion to his recent, acclaimed Raptors of California. Owls is not only an excellent field guide, but also an amazing primer on owl biology and behavior. It sets a new standard and, what's more, is both a visual treat and a captivating read."—Clay Sutton, coauthor of How to Spot an Owl and other books
"An enjoyable and wonderfully illustrated companion to Raptors of California. Treating the relatively familiar Great Horned Owl and obliging Burrowing Owl with the same skill as those ghostly forest species that are rarely more than disembodied voices for most of us, this book provides keen insights on the natural history of our most mysterious group of birds and sheds light on the complex conservation issues that face many owl species."—Kimball L. Garrett, Ornithology Collections Manager, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
"This is the owl book I've been waiting for. Peeters has delivered an exquisitely illustrated, thoroughly researched, and engagingly written guide that will be as valuable to young students as it will be to seasoned biologists."—Allen Fish, Director, Golden Gate Raptor Observatory
346 pp.4.5 x 7.25Illus: 154 color illustrations, 19 maps
9780520252806$29.95|£25.00Paper
Oct 2007