The House of Owls

This book focuses on the owls of North America, primarily the Western Screech-owl in the first part, where this artist-naturalist describes his personal experiences of closely observing pairs of these as they used a nest box (‘The Fortress’) over a period of 25 years close to his house near Seattle, which only came to an end after the owls were sadly predated by a Barred owl.

The remaining two-thirds of the book is used to describe 19 species of North American owl, grouped not by genus, or size, or by how they hunt, but rather according to where they are found and how some live in close association with people. He writes informatively and with respect about their habitat, eating habits, breeding, vocalisations, and conservation status.

Throughout, the book is illustrated with the author’s own wonderful, finely-detailed, black and white drawings (my favourite is the Barn owls on p84).

This is an entertaining and informative personal account of how owls everywhere can influence and enrich our lives.

Book reviewed by Carole Showell