Main content

James Henry on the Little Owl

Author of the Jack Frost detective prequel thrillers James Henry picks the diminutive, non-native little owl, beloved by Florence Nightingale, for his Tweet of the Day.

Author of the prequel detective Jack Frost thrillers James Henry picks the diminutive, non native little owl beloved by Florence Nightingale for his Tweet of the Day.

The diminutive little owl takes it genus name, Athene from Athena, the Olympian goddess for war and wisdom, and protector of Athens. It is from this ancient connection that Western culture derives an association of wisdom and knowledge with owls. And maybe why Florence Nightingale on a tour of Greece rescued a Little Owl chick she found at the acropolis. The owl, she named Athena was her companion for 5 years.

Producer Andrew Dawes

Available now

2 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Sun 28 Oct 2018 08:58
  • Thu 2 Jul 2020 05:58
  • Fri 26 Nov 2021 05:58
  • Wed 22 Feb 2023 05:58

Podcast: Planet Puffin

Podcast: Planet Puffin

Exploring all things puffin - the silly and the serious, the scientific and the cultural.

Try this new podcast

Five stories of birds and birdsong are told by the people inspired by them.

Podcast