First published 2023
Owls have fascinated humans for over thirty thousand years, appearing in cave paintings and folklore as symbols of wisdom. Jennifer Ackerman explores what these mysterious birds actually know and how scientists study creatures that hunt in darkness and hide through camouflage. She follows researchers into the field as they use modern technology to decode owl behavior. The book reveals that owls communicate through complex rules, expressing individual identity through their calls. Some species migrate vast distances while others hoard prey or live underground. Ackerman documents how owls court mates, raise young, and navigate seasonal changes. She shows readers the extraordinary hunting abilities and sensory powers that make these birds successful predators. The author combines new scientific discoveries with her own field observations to explain why owls continue to captivate us across cultures and centuries.
Genres: nature, animals, non-fiction, biology
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: educational, informative
333 pages · Hardcover · Penguin Press