Owl

Owls are birds from the order Strigiformes ( ), which includes over 200 species of mostly solitary and nocturnal birds of prey typified by an upright stance, a large, broad head, binocular vision, binaural hearing, sharp talons, and feathers adapted for silent flight. Exceptions include the diurnal northern hawk-owl and the gregarious burrowing owl. Owls are divided into two families: the true (or typical) owl family, Strigidae, and the barn owl and bay owl family, Tytonidae. Owls hunt mostly small mammals, insects, and other birds, although a few species specialize in hunting fish. They are found in all regions of the Earth except the polar ice caps and some remote islands. A group of owls is called a "parliament" in English venery.

Owls are birds from the order Strigiformes ( ), which includes over 200 species of mostly solitary and nocturnal birds of prey typified by an upright stance, a large, broad head, binocular vision, binaural hearing, sharp talons, and feathers adapted for silent flight. Exceptions include the diurnal northern hawk-owl and the gregarious burrowing owl. Owls are divided into two families: the true (or typical) owl family, Strigidae, and the barn owl and bay owl family, Tytonidae. Owls hunt mostly small mammals, insects, and other birds, although a few species specialize in hunting fish. They are found in all regions of the Earth except the polar ice caps and some remote islands. A group of owls is called a "parliament" in English venery. ===Africa=== Among the Kikuyu of Kenya, it was believed that owls were harbingers of death. If one saw an owl or heard its hoot, someone was going to die. In general, owls are viewed as harbingers of bad luck, ill health, or death. ===South Asia=== In Hinduism, an owl is the vahana (mount) of the goddess Lakshmi, especially in the eastern region of India. Owls are considered a symbol of wealth, prosperity, wisdom, good luck, and fortune. This is the reason why Owls are seen with Lakshmi, who is also the goddess of fortune, wealth, and prosperity. At the same time, owls are also associated with evil times in Hinduism. At times, Chamunda (fearsome form of Chandi) is depicted seated on an owl, her vahana (mount or vehicle). Hindus believe that owls are messengers of death. ===East Asia=== ====China==== In China, owls are traditionally considered a sign of evil or misfortune, but are also seen as a symbol of good luck in military affairs, a symbol of protection and warding off evil spirits at funerals, and even as the incarnation of ancestors. Owls are one of the most common birds in carvings and paintings on bronze, pottery, and funerary objects. ====Japan==== In Japan, owls are regarded as lucky, although in ancient times they were associated with death. ===Mesopotamia=== In Sumerian, Akkadian, and Babylonian culture, the owl was associated with Lilith. ===Europe=== The modern West generally associates owls with wisdom and vigilance. This link goes back at least as far as Ancient Greece, where Athens, noted for art and scholarship, and Athena, Athens' patron goddess and the goddess of wisdom, had the owl as a symbol. Marija Gimbutas traces veneration of the owl as a goddess, among other birds, to the culture of Old Europe, long pre-dating Indo-European cultures. In medieval Europe, the owl was often used with more negative symbolism. The bird was associated with darkness, uncleanliness, and mourning. The bird was linked to the bubonic plague. Owls were even used as anti-Semitic caricatures of Jews. T. F. Thiselton-Dyer, in his 1883 Folk-lore of Shakespeare, says that Owl Brain Atlas Smithsonian Snowy Owl Info World Owl Trust Athenian Owl coins Eurasia: World of Owls – Northern Ireland's only owl, bird of prey and exotic animal centre Current Blakiston's Fish Owl Research in Russia North America: List of Owl Species Breeding In North American and Owl Photos Oceania: iprimus info. re Australian owls and frogmouths

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