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Whether delivering an environmental message, correcting the spelling of a famous bear, or sailing away with a beauteous kitty, owls have quite a hold on our imaginations. But how did they garner such a reputation for intelligence? Owls are nocturnal birds and function extremely well at night. Their ability to see in the dark has elevated owls, in some cultures, to manifestations of wisdom. In Western folklore, owls are commonly associated with studious
scholars and wise elders. Perhaps the earliest known link between owls and wisdom is their association with Athena. The Greek goddess of wisdom is often depicted holding an owl. Because of their close kinship with the night, owls are also associated with magic and witchcraft. Merlin was known to have an owl, and in the Harry Potter series, young wizards communicate by owl messengers instead of instant
messengers. Some have viewed owls as manifestations of a more sinister darkness. Ancient Romans believed the screech of an owl foretold death and that witches transformed into owls and sucked the blood from babies. Many other cultures share these fearful views. Almost every culture has either a positive or negative belief about the bird. This compelling link with human folklore makes some conservationists hopeful that endangered owls can be protected -- because humans really do give a hoot.
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