What an Owl Knows

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 owlsΓÇöthe most elusive of birdsΓÇöand why they exert such a hold on human imagination With their forward gaze and quiet flightowls are often a symbol of wisdomknowledgeand foresight. But what does an owl really know? And what do we really know about owls? Some two hundred sixty species of owls exist todayand they reside on every continent except Antarcticabut they are far more difficult to find and study than other birds because they are crypticcamouflagedand mostly active at night. Though human fascination with owls goes back centuriesscientists have only recently begun to understand the complex nature of these extraordinary birds. In What an Owl KnowsJennifer Ackerman joins scientists in the field and explores how researchers are using modern technology and tools to learn how owls communicatehuntcourtmateraise their youngand 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 historyand a spellbinding account of the worldΓÇÖs most enigmatic group of birds.