Naturalist, wildlife photographer and writer Stan Tekiela is the author of more than 190 field guides, nature books, children’s books, and playing cards, presenting many species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, trees, wildflowers and cacti in the United States. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural History from the University of Minnesota and as an active professional naturalist for more than 30 years, Stan studies and photographs wildlife throughout the United States and Canada. He has received various national and regional awards for his books and photographs. Also a well-known columnist and radio personality, his syndicated column appears in more than 25 newspapers and his wildlife programs are broadcast on a number of Midwest radio stations.

Intriguing owls

The owl family

Species diversity

Owls from coast to coast

Origins of the species

Life span

Unique design

The facial disk

Body in camouflage

Toes and talons

Heavyweight eyes

24-hour sight

Acute eye power

Built-in protection

Low-light vision

Binocular viewing

Red-eye reduction

Head rotation

Head bobbing

Bills in bristles

The bite

Horns and ears

Split-second hearing

Where is that sound?

Ear flaps

Facial disk designs

Disk feathers

Facial expressions

Owl size

Differences of the sexes

Slimming to trim

Silent flight

Equipped to conceal

Striking a pose

Color collections

Fancy footwork

Talons in force

Sole scales

Feather boots to bare feet

Palate appeal

Diet variety

Hunting instincts

A friend of the farmer

Table manners

Diminished sense of smell

Digestible matter

Pellets

Nesting fancies

Cavity nests

Stick nests

Ground nests

Nest edifices

Reusing the nest

Owl vocalization

Family calls

Night calls

Pair calls and duets

Bill clacking

Establishing a territory

Courtship

Mating

Egg laying

The clutch

Nonstop incubation

Hatching order

Incubation across the species

Life in the nest

Growing up quickly

Sharing in the bounty

Demand for food

Owlet development

Flight practice

Branching

Gliding and grounding

Learning to hunt

No free lunch

Leaving the natal territory

To migrate or not

The irruption years

Winter advantage

Owls—exceptional birds

Featured owls

Helpful resources

About the author