The tawny frogmouth is one of Australia’s most intriguing and endearing birds. Written by award-winning author Gisela Kaplan, one of Australia’s leading authorities on animal behaviour and native birds, this second edition of Tawny Frogmouth presents an easy-to-read account of these unique nocturnal birds, which can be found across almost the entire continent. Fully revised and updated throughout, this book combines 20 years of systematic observation with published research and information from regional surveys, and represents the most comprehensive single study ever conducted on tawny frogmouths. We learn that tawny frogmouths are very affectionate, have close bonds with lifelong partners, scream like prowling tomcats when distressed, fight with lightning speed and defend nest sites from reptilian predators by mobbing and spraying pungent faeces at them. Uncompromising male fights are contrasted with the touching gentleness of males as fathers. We also learn how resilient and unusual tawny frogmouths are in the way they cope with heat and cold and scarcity of water, sit out danger, and use a large variety of food items. This fascinating book has a wide appeal to bird lovers, amateur ornithologists and naturalists, as well as those with a scientific or professional interest in native birds, their communication, emotions and skills.

'Jeff Martin explores the Tawny Owl's natural history in the greatest detail. Where controversy has arisen in the literature, he has put forward all points of view so the reader can make his or her own judgements. There seems nothing concerning the biology of this owl that Jeff has not researched.' - Derek Bunn, author of The Barn Owl The haunting calls of the Tawny Owl can be heard from Scandinavia in the north of its range to North Africa in the south. Most people would consider it to be a common and widespread species throughout Europe, but populations in Britain at least are declining, and we need to understand more about the behaviour and ecology of this magnificent woodland bird if its future is to be secured. Jeff Martin has been studying owls for decades, and in this timely book he combines his personal observations together with those of other ornithologists and a comprehensive review of the literature, resulting in some surprising revelations. It was not long ago, for example, that the Tawny Owl was considered to be one of the most nocturnal of all owl species, but in recent years it has been observed sunbathing, calling and even hunting in broad daylight. The Tawny Owl begins by exploring the research that has been undertaken over the last two centuries, and the gaps that remain in our knowledge. Subsequent chapters detail the evolution and classification of this relatively young species, its status and distribution across Europe, its feeding, breeding and behavioural ecology, why numbers are falling, and what we can do about it. Interestingly, this silent hunter appears to be increasingly preying on passerine birds, as forest degradation and destruction have had a negative impact on small mammal numbers. The book concludes by looking at the role that Tawny Owls have played in British culture, and whether the changes in behaviour and plumage among the British population could mean we have a new subspecies evolving on our island.

Tawny was so excited! Tomorrow is Duke's birthday. Well not exactly it's just the day that her parents brought him home and to celebrate Momma is allowing her to have a party and not just any party a Big Birthday Bash!! She can invite her friends and their pets too! Tawny has big plans for this party; a part of the fun will be elephants, monkeys, ferrets, and birds. Oh my! She even had to put the finishing touches on Duke's birthday hat to mark the day. Momma was making a special cake too. Tawny was all set to prepare for the party she even got Jessie to help her with the finishing touch. Only problem is Ms. Ransal over heard them making plans and she told the whole class. Now everyone wants to come and Momma said, 'Just a few friends.' What will Tawny do? Will she get to make Duke's Big Birthday Bash the best ever or will her house be turned into a zoo instead?

Tawny Lynn Brown is a six year old African - American girl who lives in the City of Lackawanna. She lives with her mom Tamara, her dad Randy, her brother Sam and her pet turtle Duke. She loves flowers and hates rainy days. She is a first grader at Roosevelt Elementary, where she attends class with her best friend Jessie Johnson who lives down the street with his mom and his pet cat named Zeus. Tawny finally got her new bicycle. It's pink and white with squiggly lines and a banana seat, and it's the bestest one. She wanted that bike and she wanted to ride it right away. Daddy has to put the training wheels on it so that she won't tip over because she's not ready for the two wheels yet. Everybody saw it and said that it was a nice bike. Tawny wanted to ride it as soon as she got home. Only Momma said she has to wait till after dinner.

Tawny was in trouble again. Today was chore day and her room was a mess. Tawny enjoyed having her own room, but she hated keeping it clean. She didn't have to worry about sharing it with anyone except Duke, her pet turtle. If Momma saw this room she might not be able to go outside today. Everything was going okay until she discovered her long lost video game under her bed and decided to take a break from cleaning. When Momma showed up and scolded her for not finishing the job, she found herself spending the afternoon uncovering lost and forgotten treasures in her room and doing some cleaning too. She also learned from her Momma the importance of keeping a clean room and that everybody had to clean their rooms growing up even her brother Sam. Then to top it off Momma told her a story about Grandma Beatrice and the infamous "white glove test" and Tawny made the decision that it was better to have a clean room than a messy room any old day and finding her video game helped too.

So it's Saturday again and Momma has a surprise activity planned for the day. Tawny, Sam and Duke are taken on a trip to the local soup kitchen. Momma says that they have to help serve and learn the importance of helping others so that they don't become selfish. As Tawny and her family take the short ride across town she finds out that there is a lot going on with other families outside of their own neighborhood and that some don't have a place to call home. While at the soup kitchen she meets Miss Dorothy, who is in charge of the kitchen and one who gave Tawny the best job ever. Tawny discovers that there are far more important things than getting birthday gifts and making hats for Duke. She now understood that her Momma was right, sometimes people need help and she wanted to be one of those people who helped, because helping others is fun!

"Tawny got her test paper back from Math class and she passed, but Jessie didn't do so. He got a C+ and now he's afraid to tell his mom. The last time he didn't do well on a test his mom took him off the soccer team. After a discussion over lunch, Tawny and Jessie come up with a plan to meet after school to see about switching his grade. Just as they were about to get themselves into trouble Mrs. Johnson came out of the house just in the nick of time to stop them from making a Great Grade Switchup."--Back cover