AN OWL IN THE HOUSE: A Naturalist's Diary

by Bernd Heinrich ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 1990

A naturalist who teaches at the University of Vermont tells how he did something he ""probably shouldn't have done""--he adopted a baby great homed owl that he found on the ground during an April snowfall. Adapted from One Man's Owl (1987), the straightforward narrative is packed with fascinating observations and details about ""Bubo's"" behavior and development, frequently demonstrating that actual observation added a great deal even to this trained naturalist's fund of knowledge. Heinrich is frank about the difficulties that ensued: attached to Bubo, he provided him with food and then felt he had to protect him over the winter; a stay in a raptor center proved disastrous--Bubo was clearly depressed; but only after Bubo's mischievous habits of terrorizing guests and defending his territory proved dangerous, as well as inconvenient, was he finally returned to the wild--perhaps successfully. This cautionary story is much enhanced by Heinrich's beautifully meticulous drawings and b&w photos. A firm, sensible chapter on why not to try to adopt a baby bird, and exactly what is involved if you insist, is appended. Handsomely produced; fine primary source material for young people.

Pub Date: May 1, 1990

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 119

Publisher: Joy Street/Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1990

Categories: CHILDREN'S