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| Owls of the United States and Canada |
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A Complete Guide to Their Biology and Behavior
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Wayne Lynch
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$44.95 Hardcover
Release Date: 11/15/2007
ISBN: 9780774814591
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| 256 Pages |
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| OTHER WAYS TO ORDER |
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About the Book
There is no group of birds more mysterious and fascinating than owls. They have become the stuff of lore and legend – from the Roman myth that an owl foot could reveal secrets to the First Nations belief that an owl feather could give a newborn better night vision. But the truth about owls is much more exciting.
In this gorgeous book, celebrated natural history writer and wildlife photographer Wayne Lynch reveals the secrets of these elusive species with stunning photographs, personal anecdotes, and accessible science. The photos alone are masterpieces. Unlike most published owl photos, the majority of these were taken in the wild – a product of the author-photographer’s incredible knowledge and patience.
Lynch complements the photos with facts about anatomy, habitat, diet, and family life. For each of nineteen species inhabiting Canada and the United States, he provides a range map and a brief discussion of its distribution, population size, and status. Lynch debunks myths about owls’ “supernatural” powers of sight and hearing, discusses courtship rituals, and offers personal tips for finding them in the wild.
From the great horned to the tiny elf owl, this amazing volume captures the beauty and mystery of these charismatic birds of prey.
About the Author(s)
Wayne Lynch is the author of numerous award-winning books and television documentaries. One of Canada’s most widely published photographers, his books include Wild Birds across the Prairies, Mountain Bears, and Penguins of the World. He lives in Calgary.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Owl Addiction
Chapter 1: Anatomy of an Owl
Paleocene Origins
WMDs: Weapons of Mouse Destruction
On Wings That Whisper
Colors that Disguise
Fretting with Feathers
Chapter 2: Son et Lumičre
Sound Advice
The Handicap of Darkness
The Eyes of Owls
The Nocturnal Syndrome
Chapter 3: Haunts and Hideaways
From Tundra and Taiga to Mountains and Marshlands
Floaters
Hot and Cold Weather Woes
Roost Rewards
Fleeing from Winter
Owl Invasions
Chapter 4: The Owlish Appetite
Foods That Fight Back
Pellet Diaries
Hunting Techniques
Hoarding for Hard Times
Chapter 5: Family Life
Who Gives a Hoot?
Courtship Conduct
House Hunting
The Cloacal Kiss
Oology 101
The Tedium of Incubation
Sexual Dimorphism: The Great Debate
Chapter 6: The Next Generation
Early Chick Life
Asynchronous Hatching: A Strategy
Life in the Nest
Roamers, Branchers, and Homebodies
The Young and the Restless
Chapter 7: Predators, Pirates, and Pests
Kleptoparasitism
A Call to Arms
Chapter 8: Owls and Humans
HIPPO
Appendix: Scientific Names of Plants and Animals
References
Index
Reviews
"Owls" is beautiful, readable, and affordable. So if you plan to give it as a gift, I suggest you buy a copy for yourself as well. Otherwise, you'll get it home, start flipping through the pages, fall in love with text and pictures, and decide that it will look just perfect on your own coffee table. And then there you'll be, still looking for a present for that hard-to-please person.
– Whit Gibbons, professor of zoology and senior biologist, University of Georgia.
"A complete and passionate labor of love. It is essential reading for those who are fascinated by owls – and those who aren't yet but are now at risk of becoming so."
– Bernd Heinrich, author of Mind of the Raven
"Lynch is among a select group of North America's very best natural history writers and photographers. In Owls of the United States and Canada he showcases both of these talents and reveals a wealth of knowledge about owl biology. Anyone interested in these fascinating birds will treasure this book for years to come."
– Brian E. Small, Birding Magazine
In Owls of the United States and Canada, the author reveals personal connections to the birds he loves most, while offering us a glimpse into their fascinating lives, the result of nearly 30 years of studying and photographing wildlife….It is presented in an engaging, easy reading manner and is lavishly illustrated with his excellent pictures of birds in the wild.
This is the type of book that you can read from cover to cover or probe at any chapter for reference purposes. It is thorough, well thought out and offers something for readers with all levels of birding experience. It would serve as a good all-in-one guide to the lives of the owls we know and love.
He uses his own experiences in the wild to expand on various points. This approach both personalizes the text and offers the reader first hand information not available in other literature.
While Wayne lives in Calgary and has done extensive field work out west and in Canada’s north, the experiences he describes cover broad regions of both countries.
- Brian Morin, Ontario Birding News, Winter 2008
Never before has one book revealed so many secrets about what is perhaps North America’s most elusive winged predator. With a text that brims with information on anatomy, habitat, diet and social life - supplemented by a breathtaking array of photos of owls in flight or alighted - the book is the life work of a doctor who gave up medicine so he could pursue his private fascination.
- The Globe and Mail, December 8, 2007
The book is full with many great photographs of all North American owls. But Lynch is not only a very talented photographer but also a great writer. The text is easy to read and never boring. It was hard for me to put the book down. … This is a must have book for anyone interested in owls.
- Markus Jais, Birdingnet, April 2008
This book warrants only superlatives. Wayne Lynch, a doctor who gave up medicine to pursue his passion for wildlife photography, has made wise use of his scientific training. He has spent much of his life studying owls in the field, in many countries, and he shares here his most interesting observations. He has also delved deeply into the byways of ornithological literature to unearth fascinating aspects of the specialized anatomy and physiology of owls. …This book is a perfect blend of fact and beauty. … This book is an ideal gift for anyone even remotely interested in nature and especially for anyone who appreciates superb photography.
- C. Stuart Houston, Arctic, June 2008
…this is no pocket guide but rather a book to be savoured in an easy chair with a good cup of brew. …Wayne Lynch has a direct and readable style that translates stuffy science into a book for many levels. He packs an enormous amount of science and owl biology into informative and elegant prose. … Lynch has accessed some top people during preparation and he provides a sound list of references …. This is much more than another pretty coffee table book about owls. It functions very well as that but provides much for the intellect in an eminently readable style. This is a book for every birder’s library as well as people just casually fascinated by owls.
- Rick Howie, British Columbia Birds, Vol. 18, 2008
In addition to a great eye for an image, Lynch has a scientist’s mind for detail and a love for the natural world that permeates all of his writing. …it might appear that this is just another coffee-table book with great photographs of owls, but it’s so much more than that. …this is simply an excellent book.
-Richard J. Cannings, Discovery, Vol.37, No.1, Spring 2008
Wayne Lynch is an accomplished photographer and writer, I had no expectations that his newest book would represent anything less than the standard for which he is known.
- Randy Lauff, St. Francis Xavier University, Canadian Field-Naturalist, Vol.119
This coffee table sized book is much more than a coffee table book of spectacular owl photos. Well-known wildlife writer and photographer, Wayne Lynch, took all photos and wrote the text that is meticulously researched and very easy to read. […] Dr. Lynch successfully and clearly communicates the information to a wide audience from the layperson to the professional owl researcher. He makes the information ‘come alive’ with his personal stories and anecdotes from key owl researchers. […] Wayne Lynch here focuses more on owl anatomy, adaptations and natural history and less on owl conservation and mythology. […] it is another spectacular wildlife book by Wayne Lynch, […] I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the owls of North America.
- Rob Warnock, Picoides, Vol.22, No.1, March 2009
Sample Chapter
A sample chapter of this title is not available at this time. For further information, please email info@ubcpress.ubc.ca.
Related Topics
Natural History
Natural History > Ornithology
Other Ways To Order
In Canada, order your copy of Owls of the United States and Canada from UTP Distribution at:
UTP Distribution
5201 Dufferin Street
Toronto, Ontario
M3H 5T8
Phone orders: 1(800)565-9523 or (416)667-7791
Fax orders: 1(800)221-9985 or (416)667-7832
Email: utpbooks@utpress.utoronto.ca
Ordering information for customers outside Canada
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