An instant New York Times bestseller! A New York Times Notable Book of 2023 Named a Best Book of 2023 by Publishers Weekly From the author of The Genius of Birds and The Bird Way, a brilliant scientific investigation into owls—the most elusive of birds—and why they exert such a hold on human imagination With their forward gaze and quiet flight, owls are often a symbol of wisdom, knowledge, and foresight. But what does an owl really know? And what do we really know about owls? Some two hundred sixty species of owls exist today, and they reside on every continent except Antarctica, but they are far more difficult to find and study than other birds because they are cryptic, camouflaged, and mostly active at night. Though human fascination with owls goes back centuries, scientists have only recently begun to understand the complex nature of these extraordinary birds. In What an Owl Knows, Jennifer Ackerman joins scientists in the field and explores how researchers are using modern technology and tools to learn how owls communicate, hunt, court, mate, raise their young, and move about from season to season. Ackerman brings this research alive with her own personal field observations; the result is an awe-inspiring exploration of owls across the globe and through human history, and a spellbinding account of the world’s most enigmatic group of birds.

Get the Summary of Jennifer Ackerman's What an Owl Knows in 20 minutes. Please note: This is a summary & not the original book. Jennifer Ackerman's "What an Owl Knows" explores the evolution, behavior, and conservation of owls, tracing their origins to dinosaur ancestors and their divergence into two families: Tytonidae and Strigidae. With around 260 species, owls have adapted to various habitats and exhibit specialized hunting adaptations such as silent flight, exceptional night vision, and acute hearing. Technological advancements have refined our understanding of owl species, behavior, and responses to environmental changes. Ackerman's fieldwork with experts like Denver Holt provides intimate insights into owl life, including the trapping and study of species like the Long-eared Owl...

"Jennifer Ackerman illuminates the rich biology and natural history of owls and reveals remarkable new scientific discoveries about their brains and behavior. She joins scientists in the field and explores how researchers are using modern technology and tools to learn how owls communicate, hunt, court, mate, raise their young, and move about from season to season. We now know that the hoots, squawks, and chitters of owls follow sophisticated and complex rules, allowing them to express not just their needs and desires but their individuality and identity. Ackerman brings this research alive with her own personal field observations about owls and dives deep into why these birds beguile us ... an ... exploration of owls across the globe and through human history, and a spellbinding account of their astonishing hunting skills, communication, and sensory prowess. "--