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.

Features and species
Shared characters
Species diversity and evolution

Adaptations of owls
Highly specialised sense organs
Communication signals

Owl behaviour
Rest, body maintenance, and movement
Hunting
Avoidance of predators and disturbance
Intra- and inter-specific relationships
Display and courtship
Reproduction and brood care
Nestling period and juvenile development

Life strategies of owls
Activity pattern
Choice of prey
Mating systems and reproductive strategies

Habitat requirements
Important habitat parameters
Site selection
Natural and cultivated landscapes as owl habitats
Unnatural risk factors

Protection and conservation
Owls - victims of superstition
Anthropocentric owl protection
Species protection - a global obligation
Ensuring habitat quality

The species
Barn Owl Tyto alba
Eagle Owl Bubo bubo
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus
Great Grey Owl Strix nebulosa
Ural Owl Strix uralensis
Tawny Owl Strix aluco
Long-eared Owl Asio otus
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
Scops Owl Otus scops
Hawk Owl Surnia ulula
Pygmy Owl Glaucidium passerinum
Little Owl Athene noctua
Tengmalm's Owl Aegolius funereus

Determining characteristics of European owls

Addresses
Sources of population estimates
Further reading
About the authors
About the translator
Index