Field Guide to Owls of California and the West

Download or read book Field Guide to Owls of California and the West written by Hans J. Peeters and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2007-10-09 with total page 392 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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