March 5, 2026
The Sky’s the Limit for This Birder
Fewer than 500 people worldwide have reported seeing this African bird – a blue-moustached bee-eater. Photo by Marc Chelemer By…
Nature Done Wright
Incorporating the Celery Farm and Screech Owl Companion blogs
February 7, 2022
Momday Mystery 020714
In my column this week, readers talked about their favorite non-field-guide birding books.
One reader praised "Owl Babies, " by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Patrick Benson.
That got me to thinking: What kind of owl are the mom and babies.
Babies are pictured above, mom in flight below.
4 comments
-
Agree, Tawny, based on the field marks depicted by the artist (rufous [British] plumage with barred streaking, round facial disc, dark eyes, dark crest) although perhaps the wings in flight should be rounder…
-
Thanks, Julie. The illustrations just seemed a tad off for screech, and I had noticed that illustrator was British. I am trying to contact him to see what he says.
-
Wow! Who can argue with that? Excellent research Julie.
-
While the author is from Northern Ireland (which only has 3 species of owl), the illustrator, Patrick Benson, appears to be from southeast England. I found a quote from him in which he said, “I am very interested in natural history so I had a good idea of what the owlets might look like and also how to visualize the woods where they lived. I was brought up on a farm and used to spend hours roaming around the woods and fields, climbing trees and discovering the wonders of nature. I also like fishing, and particularly fishing at night, so again I know what the countryside can look and feel like after dark.” So I do think he based his illustrations on an owl species familiar to him.
Looking at the available options for England, I believe we’re looking at another Tawny Owl situation.
Had author Martin Waddell chosen to focus on a species found in Northern Ireland, the options would have been Barn Owl, Long-eared Owl, and Short-eared Owl. Of those three, I suppose one could make an argument for Short-eared Owl if we want to say there was some artistic license taken, adding that dark stripe between the eyes and down toward the bill, but Short-eared Owls nest on the ground, and the owls in the book are cavity-nesters…. as are Tawny Owls.
Little Owl and Eurasian Eagle Owl would require so much artistic license as to cause anger in birders everywhere.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. 😉
Leave your comment
Related Post
March 3, 2026
First Review: ‘The Peregrine Falcon’
I am pleased to share Booklist's magazine of my upcoming book... The Peregrine Falcon: The Epic Life and Times of…February 27, 2026
Revolutionary News!
On Thursday, the Allendale Borough Council plans to honor Founding Father John Fell, who was known as the "Great Tory…
February 20, 2026
World’s Largest Pigeon!
For a limited time only, The High Line in Manhattan is home to "Dinosaur," a huge statue of a pigeon…
4 comments
Diane L.
Agree, Tawny, based on the field marks depicted by the artist (rufous [British] plumage with barred streaking, round facial disc, dark eyes, dark crest) although perhaps the wings in flight should be rounder…
Jim Wright
Thanks, Julie. The illustrations just seemed a tad off for screech, and I had noticed that illustrator was British. I am trying to contact him to see what he says.
Bill Drummond
Wow! Who can argue with that? Excellent research Julie.
julie
While the author is from Northern Ireland (which only has 3 species of owl), the illustrator, Patrick Benson, appears to be from southeast England. I found a quote from him in which he said, “I am very interested in natural history so I had a good idea of what the owlets might look like and also how to visualize the woods where they lived. I was brought up on a farm and used to spend hours roaming around the woods and fields, climbing trees and discovering the wonders of nature. I also like fishing, and particularly fishing at night, so again I know what the countryside can look and feel like after dark.” So I do think he based his illustrations on an owl species familiar to him.
Looking at the available options for England, I believe we’re looking at another Tawny Owl situation.
Had author Martin Waddell chosen to focus on a species found in Northern Ireland, the options would have been Barn Owl, Long-eared Owl, and Short-eared Owl. Of those three, I suppose one could make an argument for Short-eared Owl if we want to say there was some artistic license taken, adding that dark stripe between the eyes and down toward the bill, but Short-eared Owls nest on the ground, and the owls in the book are cavity-nesters…. as are Tawny Owls.
Little Owl and Eurasian Eagle Owl would require so much artistic license as to cause anger in birders everywhere.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. 😉