What an owl knows : the new science of the world's most enigmatic birds
Ackerman, Jennifer, 1959-2023
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"For centuries, owls have captivated and intrigued us. Our fascination with these mysterious birds was first documented over 30,000 years ago, in the Chauvet cave paintings in southern France, and our enduring awareness and curiosity of their forward gaze and nearly silent flight has cemented the owl as a symbol of wisdom and knowledge, foresight and intuition. But what, really, does an owl know? Though our infatuation goes back centuries, scientists have only recently begun to study these birds in great detail. While more than 270 species exist today, and reside on every continent except Antarctica, owls are far more difficult to find and study than other birds - because while not only cryptic and perfectly camouflaged, owls are most active in the dark of night. Joining scientists on this maddening and elusive treasure hunt, Jennifer Ackerman brings alive the rich biological history of these animals and reveals the remarkable scientific discoveries into their brains and behaviour. She explores how, with the modern technology and tools, researchers now know that owls talk all night long - without opening their bills. That that their hoots follow a series of complex rules, allowing them to express needs and desires. That owls duet. They migrate. They use tools. They hoard their prey. Some live in underground burrows, some dine on scorpions. Ackerman brings this research alive with her own personal field observations about owls, and dives deep too into why this bird endlessly inspires and beguiles us. What an Owl Knows is an awe-inspiring and spellbinding journey across the globe and through human history, and a dazzling account of the astonishing health, hunting skills, communication, and sensory prowess that distinguishes the owl from nearly all other birds. An extraordinary glimpse into the mind of these brilliant animals, What an Owl Knows pulls back the curtain on the the hidden and still undiscovered realities of our shared world"--
Main title:
What an owl knows : the new science of the world's most enigmatic birds / Jennifer Ackerman.
Author:
Ackerman, Jennifer, 1959-, author
Imprint:
Brunswick, Victoria : Scribe, 2023.©2023
Collation:
xvi, 333 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some colour) ; 24 cm
Notes:
Includes bibliographical references (pages 301-313) and index.
Contents:
Preface: Who knewMaking sense of owls : unpacking the mysteriesWhat's it like to be an owl : indigenous adaptationsOwling : studying the world's most enigmatic birdsWho gives a hoot : owl talkWhat it takes to make an owl : courting and breedingTo stay or to go : roosting and migratingAn owl in the hand : learning from captive birdsHalf bird, half spirit : owls and the human imaginationWhat an owl knows : how wise are owls?Afterword: Saving owls : protecting what we love.
ISBN:
9781922310682 (pbk)9781922310682
Dewey class:
598.97
Language:
English
BRN:
542801
More Information:
| Location | Collection | Call number | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton Library | Adult Non Fiction - Animals | 598.97 ACK | Onloan - Due: 14 Jun 2024 |
| Sandringham Library | Adult Non Fiction - Animals | 598.97 ACK | Available |