Books by Hans J. Peeters

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

"Although written for California, this book will be prized by raptor watchers from around the US for its insightful and descriptive notes on behavior and ecology and its gorgeous and accurate paintings."--Allen Fish, Director, Golden Gate Raptor Observatory"This is actually two books for the price of one; the introductory chapters stand-alone as an excellent natural history of North America raptors, and the species accounts and spectacular plates make this one of the best state raptor book available."--Lloyd Kiff, Science Director, The Peregrine Fund