Jack Dykinga / Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) female and ten chicks aged a few weeks. Marana, Arizona, USA. May.

Sven Zacek / Ural owl (Strix uralensis) hunting, Tartumaa county, Southern Estonia.

Sven Zacek / Ural owl (Strix uralensis) in flight, hunting, Tartumaa county, Southern Estonia. February.

Markus Varesvuo / Snowy owl (Bubo scandiaca) female face close up, Canada February

Markus Varesvuo / Hawk owl (Surnia ulula) takingn off from powder snow, possibly with prey in talons, Kuusamo Finland February

Markus Varesvuo / Snowy owl (Bubo scandiaca) female, with lights behind, Canada, February.

Bence Mate / Two Burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) fledgling with adult about to take off, Pantanal, Brazil.

Bence Mate / Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) fledgling with head on side, Pantanal, Brazil. November.

Michel Poinsignon / Eurasian pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum) perched on conifer branch, Vosges Mountains, France, June.

Wim van den Heever / Pearl-Spotted Owl (Glaucidium perlatum) perched on a branch. Okavango Delta Botswana

Ben Hall / Eagle owl (Bubo bubo) in flight through forest, backlit at dawn, Czech Republic, November. Captive.

Ben Hall / Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo) flying low over snow covered grouns with trees in background, Czech Republic, February. Captive.