Paperback, 352 pages
English language
Published July 7, 2024 by Oneworld Publications.
From prehistoric cave paintings to the prints and etchings of Picasso, owls have captivated and inspired us for millennia.
Whether they appear as ancient Athenian symbols of wisdom, ghostly harbingers of death, or the cuddly sidekicks of Harry Potter and Winnie the Pooh, these birds have continued to fascinate and disturb us in equal measure.
Through revelatory new behavioural research, Jennifer Ackerman provides an intimate glimpse into these magnificent creatures' lives. From the evolutionary quirks behind their silent flight and rotating heads, to their romantic relationships and parenting styles, What an Owl Knows brings the rich natural history of owls to life. Deftly weaving together science and art, Ackerman journeys into the owl's moonlit world and asks: what is it about these birds that so enthrals us?
From an elf owl that can fit in your hand, to a fish owl the size of a fire hydrant, these birds are more diverse and charismatic than you ever knew before. Are they instinctive hunters? Do they have to learn how to hunt? Yes! Do they sleep in trees, do they sleep in burrows? Yes! Are they thriving, are they endangered? Yes, yes, yes. There's so much to learn and so little time, might as well start now!
