MOULT, AGEING AND SEXING OF FINNISH OWLS

In today’s modern world the study of plumage, moult, ageing and sexing is highly important for both professional and non-professional ringers and birdwatchers. To be able to recognise the colour and shape of different feather generations is the key to the ageing of owls.

The authors have explored to what extent these colour and moult patterns can be used in ageing the owls in the field, and they have provided the most practical measurements and colour differences to be used in sexing all 13 European and Finnish owl species.

Although the full text is in Finnish, it has comprehensive and generous English summaries, as well as numerous drawings and colour photographs. Consequently, any minor shortcomings in the English text will be overcome through using the extensive range of drawings and colour photographs that accompany the authoritative text.

Although the book is largely aimed at Finland’s exciting and dramatic owl species, it also includes over-looked species such as the Little Owl, which does not occur there at present. So it is a comprehensive assessment of all of Europe’s owls.

This book will be useful to ringers who may encounter owls from the wider European mainland, but also from Africa and southern Europe, where Scops Owl originates. In time this important volume might help to determine whether the majority of the few Scops that arrive in the UK are male, female or a mixture. At present we do not have this knowledge.

It may also be a useful guide for taxonomists in the assessment of museum specimens and may also help curators to sex those owl specimens for which they may have missing data.

Book reviewed by Jeff R Martin