The charm and mystique of owls resonates through human history. From ancient myth and superstition to the most popular modern children's stories, these beautiful, deadly birds are harbingers of good and bad news, icons of fear and wisdom, and powerful sidekicks of magic-makers. Yet uncovering the reality of their lives is a tremendous challenge, as most are nocturnal and many extremely secretive. New species are still being discovered, as are new insights into the habits of even the most familiar species.