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For other uses, see Owl (disambiguation).
Owls
Fossil range: Late Paleocene – Recent
The rare Northern Spotted OwlStrix occidentalis caurina
The rare Northern Spotted Owl
Strix occidentalis caurina
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Subclass: Neornithes
Infraclass: Neognathae
Superorder: Neoaves
Order: Strigiformes
Wagler, 1830
Families

Strigidae
Tytonidae
Ogygoptyngidae (fossil)
Palaeoglaucidae (fossil)
Protostrigidae (fossil)
Sophiornithidae (fossil)
Synonyms

Strigidae sensu Sibley & Ahlquist

Owls are an order of birds of prey. The Paleocene or Palaeocene, "early dawn of the recent" is a geologic epoch that lasted from 65 The Northern Spotted Owl, Strix occidentalis caurina, is one of three Spotted Owl subspecies Chordates ( Phylum Chordata) are a group of Animals that includes the Vertebrates together with several closely related Invertebrates Birds ( class Aves) are bipedal endothermic ( Warm-blooded) Vertebrate animals that lay eggs. Modern birds (subclass Neornithes) are the members of class Aves that have survived into recent times and have coexisted with Humans Modern birds are Neognaths ( Neognathae) are Birds within the Subclass Neornithes of the class Aves. Neognaths ( Neognathae) are Birds within the Subclass Neornithes of the class Aves. Johann Georg Wagler ( March 28, 1800 - August 23, 1832) was a German Herpetologist. True owls or typical owls ( family Strigidae) are one of the two generally accepted families of Owls the other being the barn owls Barn-owls (family Tytonidae) are one of the two families of owls the other being the Typical owls Strigidae FOSSIL is a standard protocol for allowing serial communication for Telecommunications programs under the DOS Operating system. FOSSIL is a standard protocol for allowing serial communication for Telecommunications programs under the DOS Operating system. FOSSIL is a standard protocol for allowing serial communication for Telecommunications programs under the DOS Operating system. Sophiornithidae (literally "Wisdom Birds" was a family of chicken-sized predatory Birds that lived from the Paleocene to the Eocene FOSSIL is a standard protocol for allowing serial communication for Telecommunications programs under the DOS Operating system. In Scientific nomenclature, synonyms are different Scientific names used for a single Taxon. This article is about the taxonomic rank for the sequence of species in a taxonomic list see Taxonomic order In scientific classification used Birds of prey are Birds that hunt for food primarily on the wing using their keen senses especially vision Most are solitary, and nocturnal, with some exceptions (e. As an Animal behavior, nocturnality describes sleeping during the Daytime and being active at Night - the opposite of the diurnal g. the Burrowing Owl). The Burrowing Owl ( Athene cunicularia) is a small long-legged owl found throughout open landscapes of North and South America They are classified in the order Strigiformes, in which there are over 200 extant species. In Biology, a species is one of the basic units of Biological classification and a Taxonomic rank. Owls mostly hunt small mammals, insects, and other birds, though a few species specialize in hunting fish. Mammals ( class Mammalia) are a class of Vertebrate Animals characterized by the presence of Sweat glands, including sweat glands Insects ( Class Insecta) are a major group of Arthropods and the most diverse group of Animals on the Earth with over a million described Birds ( class Aves) are bipedal endothermic ( Warm-blooded) Vertebrate animals that lay eggs. Fish are aquatic Vertebrate animals that are typically ectothermic (previously Cold-blooded) covered with scales, and equipped with two They are found in all regions of the Earth except Antarctica, most of Greenland, and some remote islands. Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat meaning "Land of the Greenlanders" Grønland is a self-governing Danish Province located between the Though owls are typically solitary, the literary collective noun for a group of owls is a parliament. In Linguistics, a collective noun is a word used to define a group of objects where "objects" can be People, Animals Inanimate things

The living owls are divided into two families, the typical owls, Strigidae, and the barn-owls, Tytonidae. In Biological classification, family ( Latin True owls or typical owls ( family Strigidae) are one of the two generally accepted families of Owls the other being the barn owls Barn-owls (family Tytonidae) are one of the two families of owls the other being the Typical owls Strigidae

Contents

Description

Eagle Owl
Eagle Owl

Owls have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, a flat face, and usually a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disc. The term hawk can be used in several ways In strict usage in Europe and Asia, to mean any of the Species in the Subfamily Anatomy Stegosaurus --> Beaks can vary significantly in size and shape from species to species Although owls have binocular vision, their large eyes are fixed in their sockets, as with other birds, and they must turn their entire head to change views. Binocular vision is vision in which both Eyes are used together

The smallest owl is the Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi), at as little as 31 g (1. The Elf Owl ( Micrathene whitneyi) is a member of the Owl family Strigidae that breeds in the Southwestern United States and 1 oz) and 13. 5 cm (5. 3 inches). Some of the pygmy owls are scarcely larger. Glaucidium is also a plant genus in the Buttercup family Ranunculaceae The largest owls are two of the eagle owls, the Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) and Blakiston's Fish Owl (Bubo blakistoni), which may reach a size of 60-71 cm (28. The American horned owls and the Old World eagle-owls make up the Genus Bubo, at least as traditionally circumscribed The Eurasian Eagle Owl ( Bubo bubo) is a species of Horned owl resident in much of Europe and Asia. Blakiston's Fish Owl, Bubo blakistoni, is an Owl. This species is a part of the family known as Typical owls Strigidae which 4 in) long, have a wingspan of almost 2 m (6. 6 ft), and weight of nearly 4. 5 kg (10 lb).

Owls are far-sighted, and are unable to see anything clearly within a few inches of their eyes. Their far vision, particularly in low light, is exceptionally good. They can turn their head 135 degrees in either direction; they can thus look behind their own shoulders.

Different species of owls make different sounds; the wide range of calls aids owls in finding mates or announcing their presence to potential competitors, and also aids ornithologists and birders in locating these birds and recognizing species. Ornithology (from Greek ὄρνις ὄρνιθος ornis, ornithos, "bird" and λόγος logos, "knowledge" is the branch of Birdwatching or birding is the observation and study of Birds with the naked eye or through a visual enhancement device like Binoculars. The facial disc helps to funnel the sound of prey to their ears. In many species, these are placed asymmetrically, for better directional location (Cotty, 2008).

Owl eggs are usually white and almost spherical, and range in number from a few to a dozen, depending on species. The eggs are laid in intervals of 1–3 days and do not hatch at the same time. This accounts for the wide variation in the size of sibling nestlings. Owls do not construct nests but rather look for a sheltered nesting site, in trees, underground burrows, or in buildings, barns and caves.

Behaviour

Most owls are nocturnal, actively hunting for prey only under the cover of darkness. Several types of owl, however, are crepuscular, or active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk; one example is the pygmy owl (Glaucidium). Dawn refers to the Twilight before Sunrise. It is recognized by the presence of weak sunlight while the sun itself is still below the horizon Dusk refers to the period of time following Sunset. Although commonly confused with twilight dusk is the time frame that occurs either before or after a twilight - when the Glaucidium is also a plant genus in the Buttercup family Ranunculaceae A few owls are also active during the day; examples are the Burrowing Owl (Speotyto cunicularia) and the Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus). The Burrowing Owl ( Athene cunicularia) is a small long-legged owl found throughout open landscapes of North and South America The Short-eared Owl ( Asio flammeus) is a species of Typical owl (family Strigidae)

Serrations on the leading edge of an owl's flight feathers reduce noise
Serrations on the leading edge of an owl's flight feathers reduce noise

Much of the owl's hunting strategy depends on stealth and surprise. Owls have at least two adaptations that aid them in achieving stealth. First, the dull coloration of an owl's feathers can render them almost invisible under certain conditions. Secondly, serrated edges on the leading edge of the owl's remiges muffle the owl's wingbeats, allowing its flight to be practically silent. Flight feathers are the long stiff asymmetrically shaped but symmetrically paired Feathers on the Wings or Tail of a Bird; those on the Some fish-eating owls, where this silence is of no evolutionary advantage, lack this adaptation. Elf owls also lack the feathers for silent flying.

Once prey has been captured, the owl's sharp beak and powerful talons, or clawed feet allow it to tear the food to pieces before eating, even though most items are swallowed whole. A claw is a curved pointed appendage found at the end of a toe or finger in most Mammals, Birds, and some Reptiles. Scientists studying the diets of owls are helped by their habit of regurgitating the indigestible parts of their prey (such as bones, scales and fur) in the form of pellets. Regurgitation is the controlled flow of Stomach contents back into the Esophagus and Mouth. A pellet, in Ornithology, is the mass of undigested parts of a bird's food that some bird species occasionally Regurgitate. These "owl pellets" are often sold by companies to schools to be dissected by students as a lesson in biology and ecology, because they are plentiful and easy to interpret. [1]

Evolution and systematics

The systematic placement of owls is disputed. Biological systematics is the study of the diversity of Life on the planet Earth both past and present and the relationships among living things through time For example, the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy finds that, based on DNA-DNA hybridization, owls are more closely related to the nightjars and their allies (Caprimulgiformes) than to the diurnal predators in the order Falconiformes; consequently, the Caprimulgiformes are placed in the Strigiformes, and the owls in general become a family Strigidae. The Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy is a radical bird Taxonomy proposed by Charles Sibley and Jon Edward Ahlquist. DNA-DNA hybridization generally refers to a Molecular biology technique that measures the degree of genetic similarity between pools of DNA sequences This article is about the bird For the aircraft see Gloster Nightjar. The Caprimulgiformes is an order of Birds that includes a number of Birds with global distribution (except Antarctica) The order Falconiformes is a group of about 290 Species of Birds that include the diurnal birds of prey. In Biological classification, family ( Latin This is not supported by more recent research. [2] In any case, the relationships of the Caprimulgiformes, the owls, the falcons and the accipitrid raptors are not resolved to satisfaction; currently there is an increasing trend to consider each group (with the possible exception of the accipitrids) a distinct order. A falcon (fɔlkən or fælkən is any Species of raptor in the Genus Falco. The Accipitridae is one of the two major families within the order Falconiformes (the diurnal birds of prey)

There are some 220–225 extant species of owls, which are subdivided into two families; typical owls (Strigidae) and barn-owls (Tytonidae). True owls or typical owls ( family Strigidae) are one of the two generally accepted families of Owls the other being the barn owls Barn-owls (family Tytonidae) are one of the two families of owls the other being the Typical owls Strigidae Some entirely extinct families have also been erected based on fossil remains; these differ much from modern owls in being less specialized or specialized in a very different way (such as the terrestrial Sophiornithidae). FOSSIL is a standard protocol for allowing serial communication for Telecommunications programs under the DOS Operating system. Sophiornithidae (literally "Wisdom Birds" was a family of chicken-sized predatory Birds that lived from the Paleocene to the Eocene The Paleocene genera Berruornis and Ogygoptynx show that owls were already present as a distinct lineage some 60-58 mya (million years ago), and presumably also some 5 million years earlier, at the extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs. The Paleocene or Palaeocene, "early dawn of the recent" is a geologic epoch that lasted from 65 Ogygoptynx is an extinct genus of Owl from the Paleocene. Annum is one form of the Latin noun meaning Year, not a form normally used for derivatives in modern languages the accusative singular This makes them one of the oldest known groups of non-Galloanserae landbirds. Most or all Birds collectively referred to as fowl belong to one of two orders namely the gamefowl or landfowl ( Galliformes) and the waterfowl The supposed "Cretaceous owls" Bradycneme and Heptasteornis are apparently non-avialan maniraptors. The Cretaceous (kriːˈteɪʃəs, usually abbreviated 'K' for its German translation "Kreide" is a geologic period and system, reaching from the end of Bradycneme was a Genus of Theropod Dinosaur from the Maastrichtian -age Upper Cretaceous Sânpetru Formation Heptasteornis is the name given to a dubious Genus of small Dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous. Avialae ("bird wings" is a Clade containing Birds ( Aves) and their most immediate Dinosaurian relatives Maniraptora ("hand snatchers" is a Clade of Coelurosaurian Dinosaurs which includes the Birds and the dinosaurs that were more closely [3]

During the Paleogene, the Strigiformes radiated into ecological niches now mostly filled by other groups of birds. The Paleogene (alternatively Palaeogene) is a geologic period and system that began 65 An adaptive radiation is a rapid Evolutionary radiation characterized by an increase in the morphological and ecological diversity of a single rapidly diversifying lineage In Ecology, a niche (pronounced nich nēsh or nish A shorthand definition of niche is how an organism makes a living The owls as we know them today, on the other hand, evolved their characteristic morphology and adaptations during that time too. The term morphology in Biology refers to the outward appearance ( Shape, Structure, Colour, Pattern) of an Organism An adaptation is a characteristic of an Organism that has been favored by Natural selection and By the early Neogene, the other lineages had been displaced by other bird orders, leaving only barn-owls and typical owls. The Neogene is a geologic period and system starting 2303 ± 0 The latter at that time were usually a fairly generic type of (probably earless) owl similar to today's North American Spotted Owl or the European Tawny Owl; the diversity in size and ecology found in typical owls today developed only subsequently. The Spotted Owl, Strix occidentalis, is a species of owl. It is a resident species of forests in western North America, where it nests in tree holes Ecology (from Greek grc οἶκος oikos, "house(hold" and grc -λογία -logia) is the scientific study of

Around the Paleogene-Neogene boundary (some 25 mya), barn-owls were the dominant group of owls in southern Europe and adjacent Asia at least; the distribution of fossil and present-day owl lineages indicates that their decline is contemporary with the evolution of the different major lineages of typical owls, which for the most part seems to have taken place in Eurasia. In the Americas, there was rather an expansion of immigrant lineages of ancestral typical owls.

The supposed fossil herons "Ardea" perplexa (Middle Miocene of Sansan, France) and "Ardea" lignitum (Late Pliocene of Germany) were more probably owls; the latter was apparently close to the modern genus Bubo. The herons are wading Birds in the Ardeidae family Some are called Egrets or Bitterns instead of herons The American horned owls and the Old World eagle-owls make up the Genus Bubo, at least as traditionally circumscribed Judging from this, the Late Miocene remains from France described as "Ardea" aureliensis should also be restudied. [4] The Messelasturidae, some of which were initially believed to be basal Strigiformes, are now generally accepted to be diurnal birds of prey showing some convergent evolution towards owls. In Phylogenetics, a basal Clade is the earliest clade to branch in a larger clade it appears at the base of a cladogram Birds of prey are Birds that hunt for food primarily on the wing using their keen senses especially vision Convergent evolution describes the acquisition of the same biological trait in unrelated lineages The taxa often united under Strigogyps[5] were formerly placed in part with the owls, specifically the Sophiornithidae; they appear to be Ameghinornithidae instead. Strigogyps sapea ("Thinking Owl Vulture" is a Species of prehistoric Bird. [6]

For fossil species and paleosubspecies of extant taxa, see the genus and species articles. A chronospecies is a Species which changes physically morphologically, genetically, and/or behaviorally over time on an evolutionary scale such A taxon (plural taxa) or taxonomic unit, is a name designating an organism or a group of Organisms In Biological nomenclature according to

Unresolved and basal forms (all fossil)

Ogygoptyngidae

Protostrigidae

Sophiornithidae

Strigidae: Typical owls

A Long-eared Owl, Asio otus, in erect pose.
A Long-eared Owl, Asio otus, in erect pose. Ogygoptynx is an extinct genus of Owl from the Paleocene. Sophiornithidae (literally "Wisdom Birds" was a family of chicken-sized predatory Birds that lived from the Paleocene to the Eocene True owls or typical owls ( family Strigidae) are one of the two generally accepted families of Owls the other being the barn owls The Long-eared Owl ( Asio otus) is a species of Owl which breeds in Europe, Asia, and North America.

Fossil genera

Placement unresolved

Masked Owl, Tyto novaehollandiae.
Masked Owl, Tyto novaehollandiae. The Laughing Owl ( Sceloglaux albifacies) also known as Whēkau or the White-faced Owl, was an endemic Owl found in New Zealand In Biology and Ecology, extinction is the cessation of existence of a Species or group of taxa. Grallistrix is a Genus of True owls It contains four species all of which lived on the Hawaiian Islands but are now extinct Prehistoric birds are various taxa of Birds that became Extinct before recorded History, or more precisely before they could be studied The Cuban Giant Owl or Giant Cursorial Owl ( Ornimegalonyx oteroi) is a giant extinct species of Owl. Prehistoric birds are various taxa of Birds that became Extinct before recorded History, or more precisely before they could be studied FOSSIL is a standard protocol for allowing serial communication for Telecommunications programs under the DOS Operating system. The Australian Masked Owl (Tyto novaehollandiae is a barn owl of Southern New Guinea and the non-desert areas of Australia.

Tytonidae: Barn-owls

Fossil genera

Placement unresolved

yes

Relationship with humans

A Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia.
A Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia. The Burrowing Owl ( Athene cunicularia) is a small long-legged owl found throughout open landscapes of North and South America

Owls have been a feature of falconry for years. Falconry or hawking is an Art or Sport which involves the use of trained raptors (birds of prey to hunt or pursue game for humans In recent years, many owls have moved from their previous rural habitats to start to inhabit urban areas. The Tawny Owl has been a common visitor to cities across the UK for about forty years, where it survives on a diet of pigeons and small birds. Owls in urban areas are also known to prey on new-born kittens. [9]

In many parts of the world, owls have been associated with death and misfortune, likely due to their nocturnal activity and common screeching call. When anthropomorphising a (non-human animal there are stereotypical traits which commonly tend to be associated with particular species Death is the termination of the biological functions that define living Organisms It refers both to a specific However, owls have also been associated with wisdom and prosperity, frequently being companion animals for goddesses. Wisdom is a concept of personal gaining of Knowledge, Understanding, Experience, discretion and intuitive understanding, along with a capacity In Hindu Mythology, the barn owl is considered to be vehicle of Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth) and thus it is considered lucky if an owl resides near your house.

Henry David Thoreau summarized one perception of owls, when he wrote in 1854's Walden, "I rejoice that there are owls. Walden (first published as Walden or Life in the Woods) by Henry David Thoreau is one of the best-known Non-fiction books written Let them do the idiotic and maniacal hooting for men. It is a sound admirably suited to swamps and twilight woods which no day illustrates, suggesting a vast and underdeveloped nature which men have not recognized. They represent the stark twilight and unsatisfied thoughts which all [men] have. "

Africa

Ancient Egyptians used a representation of an owl for their hieroglyph for the sound m. Ancient Egypt was an Ancient Civilization in eastern North Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now Egyptian hieroglyphs (ˈhaɪərəʊɡlɪf from Greek grc-Grek ἱερογλύφος " sacred carving " also hieroglyphic = grc-Grek They would often draw this hieroglyph with its legs broken to keep this bird of prey from coming to life. .

Among the Kikuyu of Kenya it was believed that owls were harbingers of death. There is also a town in Kiambu district called Kikuyu, and a species of Pennisetum grass native to the Kenyan highlands named Kikuyu The Republic of Kenya is a country in East Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the north Somalia to the northeast Tanzania to the south 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. The belief is widespread even today. [10]

The Americas

Moche Owl. 200 A.D. Larco Museum Collection Lima, Peru.
Moche Owl. 200 A. D. Larco Museum Collection Lima, Peru. The Larco Museum (Museo Larco is located in the Pueblo Libre District in Lima, Peru.

In the culture of the Hopi nation, taboos surround owls and they are associated with evil or sorcery. The Hopi are Native American people who primarily live on the 12635 km² (2531 In the United States, as with eagle feathers, the possession of owl feathers as religious objects is regulated by federal law (e. Eagles are large birds of prey which are members of the Bird order Falconiformes and family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera A religion is a set of Tenets and practices often centered upon specific Supernatural and moral claims about Reality, the Cosmos g. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and Title 50 Part 22 Code of Federal Regulations).

The Aztecs and Mayans, along with other natives of Mesoamerica, considered the owl a symbol of death and destruction. Aztec is a term used to refer to certain ethnic groups of central Mexico, particularly those groups who spoke the Nahuatl language and who achieved political The Maya civilization is a Mesoamerican Civilization, noted for the only known fully developed written language of the Pre-Columbian Americas Mesoamerica or Meso-America (Mesoamérica is a Region extending approximately from central Mexico to Honduras and Nicaragua, defined In fact, the Aztec god of death, Mictlantecuhtli, was often depicted with owls. For other uses please see Mictlantecuhtli (disambiguation. Mictlantecuhtli ("lord of Mictlan" in Aztec mythology, was a god of the There is an old saying in Mexico that is still in use (considered politically incorrect): Cuando el tecolote canta, el indio muere ("When the owl cries/sings, the Indian dies"). The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. Politically Incorrect was a late-night half-hour political Talk show hosted by Bill Maher that ran from 1993 to 2002

Other Native American tribes saw the owl as the carrier of the elders' spirits.

The Moche people of ancient Peru worshipped the animal and often depicted owls in their art. The Moche civilization (alternately the Mochica culture Early Chimu Pre-Chimu Proto-Chimu etc Peru (Perú Piruw Piruw officially the Republic of Peru ( reˈpuβlika del peˈɾu is a country in western South America. [11]

Asia

In Japanese culture, owls are seen as either negative or positive symbols depending on species. The culture of Japan has evolved greatly over millenia from the country's prehistoric Jomon culture to its contemporary hybrid culture which combines influences from Asia Sometimes owls are seen as divine messengers of the gods, while Barn or Horned owls are perceived as demonic figures.

In Indian culture, a white owl is considered a companion and vahana (Vehicle of god/godess) of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and therefore a harbinger of prosperity. The culture of India has been shaped by the long History of India, its unique geography and the absorption of customs traditions and ideas from some of its neighbors Vâhana or a Hindu vehicle, sometimes called a mount, is an animal mythical entity or Chimera (or sometimes a divine attribute closely Lakshmi or Mahalakshmi (pronunciation; Sanskrit: लक्ष्मी lakṣmī) is the Hindu Goddess of Wealth The owl has been adapted as an emblem to reflect its implications of wisdom (Wise old owl) by a revered military institution in India known as the Defense Services Staff College. In colloquial use, however, it is commonly used to refer to stupidity. The Hindi word for owl, ulloo is used to refer to a foolish person.

The demoness Lilith is thought to have been associated with (screech) owls as well, by way of the KJV translation of the passage in Isaiah 34:14. Mesopotamian mythology is the collective name given to Sumerian Akkadian Assyrian and Babylonian mythologies from the land between the Tigris Lilith (Hebrew he לילית is a mythological female Mesopotamian Storm Demon associated with Wind and was thought to be a bearer Prior to the rise of Islam, owls were considered bad omens and associated with evil spirits in most Middle Eastern pagan traditions. For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. An omen (also called portent or presage) is a phenomenon that is believed to foretell the Future, often signifying the advent of change The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. Paganism (from Latin paganus, meaning "country dweller rustic" is a word used to refer to various religions and religious beliefs from across the world In modern times, although such superstitions are less prevalent, owls are still popularly considered "evil" because of their fierce, horrific appearance.

In the Malay language, owls are called "burung hantu", literally 'ghost bird'.

Europe

In Greek mythology, the owl, and specifically the Little Owl, was often associated with the goddess Athena, a bird goddess who became associated with wisdom, the arts, and skills, and as a result, owls also became associated with wisdom. Greek mythology is the body of stories belonging to the ancient Greeks concerning their gods and Heroes the nature of the world and the origins and significance The Little Owl ( Athene noctua) is a Bird which is resident in much of the temperate and warmer parts of Europe, Asia east to Korea ATHENA was an Antimatter research project that took place at the AD Ring at CERN. The term Bird Goddess was coined by Marija Gimbutas with relation to Neolithic Europe. Wisdom is a concept of personal gaining of Knowledge, Understanding, Experience, discretion and intuitive understanding, along with a capacity The arts is a broad subdivision of Culture, composed of many expressive disciplines. They are the unofficial mascot of the high-IQ society Mensa. Mensa is the largest oldest and most famous high-IQ society in the world

The Romans, in addition to having borrowed the Greek associations of the owl (see Owl of Minerva), also considered owls to be funerary birds, due to their nocturnal activity and often having their nests in inaccessible places. Ancient Rome was a Civilization that grew out of a small agricultural community founded on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 10th century BC The owl of Minerva is the Owl that accompanies Minerva in Roman myths, seen as a Symbol of Wisdom. As a result, seeing an owl in the daytime was considered a bad omen. The vampiric strix of Roman mythology was in part based on the owl. "Stryx" redirects here This is also an incorrect spelling of the True owl Genus Strix. Roman mythology, or more appropriately Latin mythology, refers to the mythological beliefs of the Italic people inhabiting the region of Latium and its

Likewise, in Romanian culture, the mournful call of an owl is thought to predict the death of somebody living in the neighbourhood. Romania has a unique culture which is the product of its geography and of its distinct historical evolution Such superstitions caused a minor disturbance when an owl showed up at Romanian President's residence, Cotroceni Palace. Cotroceni Palace is a palace of Bucharest which is the residence of the President of Romania, located at Bulevardul Geniului nr

In France, a difference is made between hiboux, eared owls, which are considered symbols of wisdom, and chouettes, earless owls, which are considered birds of ill omen. The Culture of France and of the French people has been shaped by its geography, by profound historical events, and by foreign and

In the Welsh Cycles of the Mabinogion, the Owl is considered cursed - the first owl was Blodeuedd, a woman born of flowers to be the wife of Lleu Llaw Gyffes. In Welsh mythology, Blodeuwedd or Blodeuedd, ( Middle Welsh composite name from blodeu 'flowers blossoms' + gwedd 'face aspect appearance' Lleu Llaw Gyffes (/ɬeɨ ɬau gəfes/ sometimes misspelled Llew Llaw Gyffes is a figure of Welsh mythology. Because she fell in love with another man and plotted to kill Lleu, Lleu's guardian Gwydion turned her into the first owl, saying "You are never to show your face to the light of day, rather you shall fear other birds; they will be hostile to you, and it will be their nature to maul and molest you wherever they find you. You will not lose your name but always be called Blodeuwedd. " The addition of the w in her name changed her from a woman of flowers to an owl.

In Finland the owl is paradoxically viewed as both a symbol of wisdom, and as a symbol of imbecility, presumably because of its "dumb stare". Finland, officially the Republic of Finland ( is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of northern Europe.

Owl is the name of Pooh Bear's wise friend in the famous childhood stories by A. A. Milne.

Footnotes

  1. ^ "Owl Pellets in the Classroom: Safety Guidelines".
  2. ^ See Haaramo (2006). In reality, the presumed distant relationship of the accipitrids - namely, the "Accipitriformes" according to Sibley and Ahlquist (1990) - with owls (and most other bird lineages) is most likely due to systematic error. Systematic errors are Biases in Measurement which lead the situation where the Mean of many separate measurements differs Significantly Accipitrids have undergone drastic chromosome rearrangement and thus appear in DNA-DNA hybridization generally unlike other living birds. In Genetics, a chromosome translocation is a Chromosome abnormality caused by rearrangement of parts between nonhomologous Chromosomes.
  3. ^ Mortimer (2004)
  4. ^ Olson (1985): pp. 131, 267
  5. ^ Mayr (2005)
  6. ^ Alvarenga & Höfling (2003), Peters (2007)
  7. ^ a b Olson 1985: p. 131
  8. ^ Sánchez Marco (2004)
  9. ^ Owls culprits in cat deaths. Retrieved on 2008-02-14. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 842 - Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German
  10. ^ Owls in Lore and Culture - The Owl Pages
  11. ^ Berrin & Larco Museum (1997)

References

External links

General

Eurasia

North America

Australia

British Columbia (ˌbrɪtɨʃ kəˈlʌmbiə ( BC) ( (la Colombie-Britannique C

Dictionary

owl

-noun

  1. Any of various birds of prey of the order Strigiformes that are primarily nocturnal and have forward-looking, binocular vision, limited eye movement, and good hearing.
  2. A person seen as having owl-like characteristics, especially appearing wise or serious, or being nocturnally active.

Owl

-proper noun

  1. A fictional character in A. A. Milne's book Winnie the Pooh and the Disney film of the same name.
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