Our understanding of the basic biology of owls is poor compared to that of other bird species. The Little Owl, Athene noctua, has become one of the best models for biological and conservation research, due to its commonness and the fact that it occupies nest-boxes very easily. In this unique book the authors synthesise the substantial literature, and detail current information regarding the Little Owl. They discuss its wide-ranging ecology, genetics and subspecies and population status by country. In addition, they outline a strategy and monitoring program for its conservation. The book features an outstanding bibliography of literature on the Little Owl, listing publications dated from 1769 to 2007, in many languages, including Russian, English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Dutch. Whilst being an invaluable resource for academic researchers, its straightforward style holds undoubted appeal for amateurs and enthusiasts.

Dries Van Nieuwenhuyse lectures on orporate performance management at EHSAL Management School in Brussels. He is a serious amateur naturalist and has studied owls and shrikes for 27 years.

Jean-Claude Genot completed his PhD on the ecology of the Little Owl at the University of Burgundy. He currently manages nature conservation in the regional park of Vosges du Nord and has monitored the Little Owl in this region since 1984.

David Johnson has worked in natural resource conservation for 29 years and has written two books on owls, wildlife and fisheries. He is currently Executive Director of the Global Owl Project.