James Falconer

A little-known but accomplished artist, working in a variety of artistic mediums.

For lots of other wildlife artists see our Wildlife Art By Artist page.

The answer is that the owl is put in a cage in an open space, and many birds will come to mob the owl then a falcon or hawk can be flown on all the easy prey which has its attention on annoying the owl! That is the traditional use of owls in falconry.

However, certainly the most popular use today is owls, typically barn owls, in falconry displays . . . barn owls are very lovable birds, great to look at, slow (unlike falcons who often fly so fast that the audience has little to see) and relatively easy to find and keep. Also, a barn owl is small, light and usually friendly, so an ideal bird of prey for audience members to experience holding a bird on their hand, for the first time.

For lots of the world’s best images of owls, see our Blog post Owl images

Picasso’s owl . . . simple yet amazingly effective in capturing the essense of “owl”.

Durer’s “little owl” . . . you can really feel the personality of this little owl,

with a certain shyness, and feel the softness of its warm brown plumage.

An Asian brush painting, capturing the essense of the owl

rather than anatomical accuracy. The character of the owl and the

softness of its feathers are obvious in this beautiful portrayal.

The intense gaze of an alert snowy owl, wild and unpredictable.

The feather-lightness of a barn owl, drifting through the air on silent wings.

Barn owls roosting in the safe warmth of a barn window.

Relaxed attention, fascinating camouflaged plumage, of the great horned owl.

Soft attention, gentle alertness.

The warmth and safety of a secure roost in palm fronds.

The intense, alive eye amid the beautiful mottled plumage. Focussed, wild, watchfull.

A snowy owl fluffing up its feathers against the cold of the frozen wilderness,

powerfully capable in its superb adaption to its environment.

Ghost in the shadows, a beautiful, ethereal owl, light and boyant,

delicate and free.

Great grey owl . . . a pwoerful predator with the huge expanse of soft wings

propelling it silently into its unsuspecting prey.

An almost human character in the wise face, the gentle, quiet flight,

focus and awareness, mobility and freedom.

The incredible detail of delicately marked feathers, the other-worldy eyes alert in its environment.

A beautifully marked tawny owl, comfortable and at home in the

spring bluebells of England, the green and pleasant land.

Flight! Boyant and silent, soaring free in the air, alert for movements on the ground below.

The dark and ghostly great grey owl perched silent and still on a stump,

the silent watcher in the night, its softness and beauty

belieing its powerful predatory capability.

The barn owl still yet ready to move into the air in an instant.

Lightness of motion, warm, soft silence and alert presense.

Curious about the great unknown world around them, tawny owl chicks

huddle together for warmth and companionship.

Feathers fluffed up in the cool of the evening,

beauty and feather-light silent ability.

The stunningly bright orange eyes under the strong brows, all senses wide open in its alert beauty.

Intense yet naturally calm focus, as the barn owl comes in

to land on a familiar watching-post.

Hawk owl, its broad wings silently guiding it with powerful, capable

precision, onto its prey under the snow.

Fluffy and warm on the perch, all warm browns,

soft creams and powdery whites.

Snowy owl huddled and fluffed against the cold,

staring through narrowed eyes at its frozen wilderness home.

Silent, boyant flight, soft feathers and clearly focussed purpose.

Stare of amazement from this extraodrinary Ural Owl,

bright golden eyes in the delicately warm grey mottled plumage.

The flight of the wild snowy owl, the capable curves of the wings and

focussed attention, plumage beautiful with delicate whites and strong yet subtle blacks.

Extraordinary intensity of focus from a rare and beautiful short-eared owl in England.

Amazing beauty of brown and white plumage.

Fluffy and strange, young tawny owls watch the world go by.

Snowy owl resting, eyes half-closed in calm security, bright white plumage against the darks of the world.

Bright yellow eyes under strong brows of the buffy fish owl.

Comfortable curiosity from a northern spotted owl,

mottled plumage hiding it in the spotted light of the forest canopy.