THINGS THAT GO “HOOT” IN THE NIGHT
Hans-Jurgen Mager: Unsplash
Owls have been associated with folklore and fairy-tales for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks saw owls as wise birds, sacred to Athene the goddess of wisdom and victory, and an owl was frequently depicted on Greek coins. But, in most parts of the world, these associations are of birds of ill-omen, forecasting death, or doing horrible things to babies, or being spirits of the dead returned to haunt (Tate 2007).
The Magic Casement: An Anthology of Fairy Poetry. Edited, with an introduction, by Alfred Noyes (London: Chapman and Hall Limited, 1908):
Wherever you may happen to sit on this particular spectrum, you probably know them as birds of the night - seldom seen, but which make weird noises and disturb your sleep. This holds especially for Tawny Owls. Although basically a woodland bird, it can frequently be heard near human habitation, close to farms, or areas with mature parks and gardens. They make a much wider range of sounds than most people realise. Whilst the basic call is well known, unravelling the rest is tricky for something mostly active in the dark. This entry (or click “Read More” below for details) can help get you started on a path of understanding that contains no threats - and no fortunes either!
