What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds
Written by Jennifer Ackerman
OPL BOOK SUMMARY: Owls have inhabited the Earth for an estimated 55 to 65 million years. Today, scientists recognize about 260 species — a number that continues to grow as new ones are identified. These nocturnal predators are masters of silent flight. They tend to keep to themselves, and much about their lives remains a mystery. In What an Owl Knows, Jennifer Ackerman invites readers deep into fascinating discoveries that reveal how owls live, hunt, communicate, and thrive.
“Owls have this kind of duality,” Ackerman writes. “They’re tender and deadly, cute and brutal, ferocious and funny, sometimes even playing the mischievous clown, stealing camera equipment or snatching hats.” Across cultures worldwide, owls occupy a unique symbolic space. They are often seen as a bridge between the earthly and the ethereal.
Most of us rarely glimpse an owl. Their elusive nature and nighttime habits keep them hidden from view. Yet they are found on every continent except Antarctica. Southeastern Brazil stands out as one of the world’s owl hotspots, home to seventeen of the country’s twenty-six species. Similar concentrations occur in parts of southern Asia, the borderlands of Arizona and Mexico, sub-Saharan Africa, and China.
Why such diversity in these regions?
The answer lies in deep time. These areas have remained environmentally stable for millions of years and contain a rich mosaic of habitats, from sandy coasts and grasslands to dense forests. As top predators, owls occupy the highest tiers of the food web, where space is limited. Their diversity depends on the presence of varied ecological niches that have persisted over long stretches of evolutionary history.
Take an unforgettable journey with Jennifer Ackerman into the captivating world of owls. Discover what an owl knows—and how much there is still to learn about these extraordinary birds.
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