The Secret Life of Birds of Prey: Feathers, Fury and Friendship

By Chloé Valerie Harmsworth

Enter the fascinating world of the UK’s birds of prey. These noble hunters, with their remarkable flying skills, good looks and mysterious ways, are amongst our most attractive and interesting wildlife. They are some of the most enigmatic and rare species too, and this book will reveal them to you.

Learn about the falcons, hawks, kites, osprey and eagles that grace our skies and landscape – from their impact on our culture in past and recent times, their value and uses in falconry, the history of their persecution and decline at the hands of humans, to their return to the UK through our reintroduction and conservation efforts.

Admire their beauty up close with gorgeous photography and take an extraordinary peek into their secretive world. Be inspired by the moving words of people across the UK, who have described their thrilling, first-hand encounters, and discover where you can ethically experience these birds for yourself, to form an enduring connection with nature and make memories that will last a lifetime.

This accessible and inspiring guide will help you to uncover the details of the habits, habitat, behaviour and diet (and much more) of our UK birds of prey, and show you how they bring delight and magic into our lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pen and Sword
• Release date: Feb 22, 2024
• ISBN: 9781399093255

Chloé Valerie Harmsworth

Chloé Valerie Harmsworth is a nature writer, poet, artist and photographer from Hertfordshire. With a background in educational publishing, she has written about the environment, conservation, wildlife and well-being for a wide range of publications. In her work she aims to show the beauty of the natural world and encourage people to protect it. She is particularly obsessed with trees, mushrooms, bats and birds of prey. She volunteers for several conservation charities and shares her nature-inspired content on chloevalerienatureart.wordpress.com and on Instagram @chloevalerienatureart.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Peregrine falcon

History and current situation

A strong, powerful and inspiring bird of prey, the peregrine falcon was revered by many ancient cultures. In Egyptian mythology, the god Horus had the head of a falcon, and was both a sun and falcon god. The eye of Horus – a human eye with the plumage pattern of a falcon’s cheek – was a symbol used to heal and protect against evil. Indigenous Americans believed the bird to be a messenger who brought guidance from the spirit world. In Celtic folklore, the sight of a peregrine falcon was believed to be a warning to be careful and to keep your eyes open for