I spent a good portion of time reading this book in the serenity of our backyard gazebo in Virginia: soft breezes, wind chimes tinkling, and the occasional flurry of feisty hummingbirds at the feeders. They are such tiny and tenacious little birds: territorial, adept at aerial acrobatics, and incredibly fast. Owls share some of their skills, but they are clearly their own breed of bird.
To date, we have not had any owls fly through our yard—that I am aware of—but then, they are predominantly night creatures and have their own set of unique characteristics.
As I finished the last paragraphs of this enthralling read about owls, I was optimistic that perhaps an owl will someday grace the woodsy areas on our property or find a place of sanctuary in one of the tree hollows that woodpeckers have carved out; owls tend to search out tree cavities already created.
This non-fiction read will gladden the hearts of many ornithologists, I am sure; there’s lots of scientific data. That, and much more.
‘What an Owl Knows’
Author Jennifer Ackerman is no stranger to books about the natural world. She’s been writing about science and nature for more than three decades. Accolades, awards, and fellowships aside, Ackerman has garnered a reputation not only for her meticulous academic scholarship but also for her voice, which is tender, caring, celebratory, and written with much heart.
Ackerman is an aficionado of the nation of feathered flyers; her previous works include “The Genius of Birds” and “The Bird Way.” In her latest, “What An Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds,” she takes a deep dive into the wonderful, often magical, and mysterious world of the globe’s some 250 species of Strigiformes, known as owls.
They live on every continent except Antarctica. For the most part, they are nocturnal and solitary birds of prey. It’s hard not to stare if you see one; their faces are often endearing with their large, front-facing eyes. Add to that their inquisitive head movements (it’s a myth that they can rotate their heads completely around, but they come close), and it’s easy to see why humans have been fascinated with these birds for centuries. In some cultures, they are viewed as half-bird, half-spirit.
Ackerman relies on a bevy of scientists and researchers around the globe to provide a wealth of data on the habitats and habits of these birds. Readers will learn about their anatomy, biology, and behavior, as well as how their unique hunting skills and keen sensory powers distinguish them from other birds.
What is particularly insightful and amazing is the new information about owls that has come to light within the last few years by devoted researchers. They hope to educate more and more people about the owl’s remarkable nature in hopes that conservation efforts will continue. Owls face challenges when their familiar landscapes give way to agricultural and commercial development.
Hootin’ and Hollerin’
Do owls feel emotions? Are they really wise? My early images of owls came via A.A. Milne’s “Winnie-the-Pooh.” I read those same stories to my children and now to my grandchildren. Owl is the calm, serene friend of Christopher Robin and Pooh, always offering kind words of wisdom. He is the “go-to” friend when a problem needs solving.
While many scientists have scoffed over the years, saying that owls don’t possess emotions as we know them, but are creatures of inherent instinct. They claim that attempts to view owls in a human way are simply feats of anthropomorphism; recent data suggests otherwise.
While it’s not a good idea to own a wild owl as a pet, some have been raised around humans. As an example, some have found their way into a rehab center and cannot be released back into the wild, and have formed close relationships with their owners, showing affection and also anger when things don’t going their way.
Readers will also learn that a “hoot” just isn’t a “hoot.” There’s all sorts of messaging and communication that goes on between owls, whether they are in the frenzy of courtship, parenting young owlets, or signaling an alarm. The subtleties of their vocalizations (painstakingly analyzed through thousands of recordings) reveal a world beyond “bird brains.” Owls are smarter than originally thought.
Ackerman not only details the scientific aspects of the owls’ world but also their symbolic meaning to us through the centuries for a vast array of cultures: how they’ve been depicted in art and literature, and the place they hold in man’s imagination.
Ackerman writes: “Owls have truths to tell us, from afar—from their perches and nests in old-growth forests, deserts, the Arctic—and from up close, in the hands of vets, rehabbers, researchers, and educators. We would be wise to listen.”
I was surprised by the joy in the discovery of so much knowledge about these elusive birds, written in such a heartfelt and engaging manner. Ackerman’s book hits you like one of her owls seeking its prey.
The Great Grey Owl spots its target largely through its super-powered hearing capacity. It doesn’t necessarily see it; its brain is actually doing nano-second calculations as to its whereabouts—think owl GPS. Add to that its nearly silent swoop, gliding deftly through darkness to thrust its strong and tenacious talons through the snow, gripping the unsuspecting vole, and lifting it to its doom—ah, dinner for the family. What an amazing hunter!
What an amazing read!
