Science Writer Jennifer Ackerman Shares “What An Owl Knows”

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KQED

Politics, News, News Commentary

4.6 • 656 Ratings

🗓️ 16 June 2023

⏱️ 57 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Owls have long fascinated humans. They appear in cave art dating back 30,000 years. They are an integral part of the Harry Potter universe. Why are we so enthralled by these creatures, who contrary to popular belief cannot turn their heads 360 degrees? In her new book, “What An Owl Knows,” science writer Jennifer Ackerman tackles this question. Thanks to new technology and decades of research, we know more about owls than we ever have, including why their eyes are so big, how they can fly without making noise, and whether they are truly monogamous. Ackerman joins us and we hear from you: What’s your favorite owl story or sighting? Guests: Jennifer Ackerman, science writer; author, "What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World's Most Enigmatic Birds" and also "The Bird Way: A New Look at How Birds Talk, Work, Play, Parent, and Think" and "The Genius of Birds" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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0:00.0	Support for KQBD Podcasts comes from Rancho LaPuerta, a wellness resort 45 minutes outside of San Diego.
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1:00.3	Music From KQED in San Francisco, I'm Rachel Myro and for Mina Kim. Coming up on forum,
1:22.0	that's the call of a great gray owl, one of about a dozen owl species at home in California.
1:31.2	Owls are magic.
1:33.3	In what an owl knows, the new science of the world's most enigmatic birds,
1:37.9	Jennifer Ackerman writes, being near one makes her feel smaller in her body and bigger in her soul. They're so beautifully adapted to their
1:46.7	environment and so full of surprises for humans. Join us for an hour of tribute to these gorgeous
1:53.0	creatures. That's coming up next after this news. Welcome to Forum. I'm Rachel Myro and from Mina Kim. What is it about owls that captures the human imagination? Well, to start with those huge eyes, those mournful calls, the spooky, silent flight for prey.
2:19.6	You can find owls all over the world, except for Antarctica, in mountains, forests, deserts, meadows, even California metro regions.
2:29.6	Some cultures associate owls with wisdom and prophecy.
2:33.6	Others consider them frightening portents of
2:36.2	bad luck, illness, even death. But new scientific research is revealing surprising facts about
2:42.6	these beautiful birds, which is why I'm besides myself this morning at the opportunity to talk
2:49.3	with Jennifer Ackerman, author of the book, sorry,
	...

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