Owls of Europe

Wolfgang Scherzinger is an Austrian ornithologist with a particular expertise in owls. His research focused on the Bavarian Forest National Park where he worked as a zoologist. He has been significantly involved in the forest's protection since 1971, and was involved in the reintroduction of both Eagle Owl and Ural Owl to the forest. The late Theodor Mebs was a German ornithologist and author, who spent his career researching the biology of birds of prey.

What a great book for all those folk who love owls.

• Features and speciesShared charactersSpecies diversity and evolutionAdaptations of owlsHighly specialised sense organsCommunication signalsOwl behaviourRest, body maintenance, and movementHuntingAvoidance of predators and disturbanceIntra- and inter-specific relationshipsDisplay and courtshipReproduction and brood careNestling period and juvenile developmentLife strategies of owlsActivity patternChoice of preyMating systems and reproductive strategiesHabitat requirementsImportant habitat parametersSite selectionNatural and cultivated landscapes as owl habitatsUnnatural risk factorsProtection and conservationOwls – victims of superstitionAnthropocentric owl protectionSpecies protection – a global obligationEnsuring habitat qualityThe speciesBarn Owl Tyto albaEagle Owl Bubo buboSnowy Owl Bubo scandiacusGreat Grey Owl Strix nebulosaUral Owl Strix uralensisTawny Owl Strix alucoLong-eared Owl Asio otusShort-eared Owl Asio flammeusScops Owl Otus scopsHawk Owl Surnia ululaPygmy Owl Glaucidium passerinumLittle Owl Athene noctuaTengmalm’s Owl Aegolius funereusDetermining characteristics of European owlsAddressesSources of population estimatesFurther readingAbout the authorsAbout the translatorIndex