What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World's Most Enigmatic Birds in Science and Inquiry

Aug 13, 2023 bup rated it really liked it

Shelves: science, our-dying-planet, 2023

Somehow, the title, together with Ackerman's The Genius of Birds, made me think this book would address an owl's umwelt - what is it really like to experience life as an owl? What do their brains do differently from ours? Except for part of one chapter, this book isn't that.

However, once I got over that, I really enjoyed it. She covers a lot of topics and many owl species that, even if you aren't a huge owl nut, will make you one. Owls are cool, and that's what Ackerman does best in the book. Sh ...more

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Apr 15, 2024 Alyssa Tuininga rated it really liked it

Shelves: physical-books-i-have, science, nonfiction

I have always found owls fascinating and there was a great deal to love about this book. I am always a big fan of sharing random facts with my family while I read these books so here are a few for you: owls don’t build their nests, baby owls start to hoot in the egg days before hatching and Barred Owls only spend 6 weeks with their parents from egg to “hit the road”. There was fascinating information on owls' flight, vocalizations, and behavior. I found a lot of the information about current eff ...more

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Sep 10, 2024 Kathleen rated it liked it

Shelves: natural-history

Owls are so diverse that this book gives more of a general overview than an indepth reporting. There is alot not known about owls because of nocturnal behavior. I loved the pictures!

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Jul 31, 2025 Cori rated it it was amazing

A great read, not just because of the information it had about owls, but how it explored the scientific methodology of how people are learning more about them. It also dug into the mythology of them throughout many cultures.

Looking forward to reading more from this author.

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Nov 16, 2024 Kathleen (itpdx) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: lwv-book-group, non-fiction, rws-2024-fall

Lots of interesting information. Some of it challenging what I learned 50 years ago in a natural history course. But also leading me to explore what owl species live in my area and what the indigenous peoples here have to say about owls.

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