Title:
What an owl knows : the new science of the world's most enigmatic birds
What an owl knows
New science of the world's most enigmatic birds
Published:
2023
Format:
Books
Personal Author:
Physical Description:
xvi, 333 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : portraits (some color) ; 25 cm
Summary:
"From the New York Times bestselling author of The Genius of Birds and The Bird Way, a brilliant scientific exploration of owls, the most elusive group of birds, and an investigation into why these remarkable and yet mysterious animals exert such a hold on human imagination. 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..."--
Contents:
Preface: Who knew -- Making sense of owls : unpacking the mysteries -- What it's like to be an owl: indigenous adaptations -- Owling: studying the world's most enigmatic birds -- Who gives a hoot: owl talk -- What it takes to make an owl: courting and breeding -- To stay or to go? : roosting and migrating -- An owl in the hand: learning from captive birds -- Half bird, half spirit: owls and the human imagination -- What an owl knows: how wise are owls? -- Afterword: Saving owls : protecting what we love.
Abstract:
"From the New York Times bestselling author of The Genius of Birds and The Bird Way, a brilliant scientific exploration of owls, the most elusive group of birds, and an investigation into why these remarkable and yet mysterious animals exert such a hold on human imagination. 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..."-- Provided by publisher.
Subject Term:
Added Author:
ISBN:
9780593298886
