Photo by Joanna Eldredge-Morrissey

What an Owl Knows with Jennifer Ackerman

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Jan 07, 2027

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Jan 07, 2027

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Online

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Speaker Series

For millennia, owls have captivated and intrigued us. Our fascination with these mysterious birds was first documented more than 30,000 years ago in the Chauvet Cave paintings in southern France. With their forward gaze and quiet flight, owls are often a symbol of wisdom, knowledge, and foresight. But what does an owl really know? And what do we really know about owls? Scientists have only recently begun to understand in deep detail the complex nature of these extraordinary birds. Some 260 species of owls exist today, and they reside on every continent except Antarctica, but they are far more difficult to find and study than other birds because they are cryptic, camouflaged, and mostly active in the dark of night. Join Jennifer in a multimedia presentation on what we have learned lately about the nature of the world’s most enigmatic birds. With remarkable photos, videos, and audio recordings, Jennifer explores the rich biology and natural history of owls and examines remarkable new scientific discoveries about their brains and behavior.


NOTE: this presentation will not be recorded for viewing later.


Jennifer Ackerman is an award-winning author who has spent more than 30 years writing about science, nature, and birds. A 2024 Guggenheim Fellow, she is known for blending scientific insight with compelling storytelling. Her latest book, What an Owl Knows, became an instant New York Times bestseller, and she also authored the bestselling books The Bird Way and The Genius of Birds.