THE URBAN OWLS

An acclaimed birder and science writer offers informal introductions to some of the Big Apple’s less common feathered visitors and residents.

Cooper begins with Flaco, a Eurasian eagle owl who escaped from the Central Park Zoo and went on to work the “night shift, like most owls do (and like some people do too).” He goes on to profile other owls who became New Yorkers. Some were just temporary residents, like Rocky, a northern saw-whet owl inadvertently transported to the city while concealed within the branches of the Rockefeller Center holiday tree, or a snowy owl who didn’t even stay long enough to acquire a name. Others, such as Geraldine, a great horned owl who successfully hunted despite an injured foot that never healed correctly, stuck around for longer. “A body that’s different doesn’t mean you’re not able to do great things,” he writes. “Just ask Geraldine!” Lavishing attention on details of distinctive patterns and feathers, Adam portrays the birds in magnificent close-ups, in flight with skyscrapers and bright lights in the background, swooping down silently on oblivious mice, and perched on a branch while staring up at viewers with urbane “Can you believe this?” expressions; meanwhile, racially diverse observers point and gesticulate in the background. Though the author steers clear of specific dates and details in the main narrative, he does close with further facts about each species, as well as providing general pointers for spotting and living with these elegant wild guests.

A breezy, appealing whoo’s whoo.