They
sweep silently through the pages of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter
books and the current hit film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s
Stone. They act as messengers and muses for the young wizards. They
are owls - one of the most fascinating families of birds!
Harry’s magnificent Hedwig is a Snowy Owl from the far north. Owls
seen in the movie and mentioned in the book include Eagle-Owls, Tawny
Owls, Barn Owls, and others.
Although
it is illegal to have a real owl as a pet, this December, children who
live in the US, especially the northern parts, may be able to see a
a wild owl right near their homes. In fact, a food shortage in the north
may make this one of the best seasons in recent years for spotting Snowy
Owls like Harry Potter’s pet Hedwig.
Audubon’s
Christmas Bird Count offers children and their families a chance to
see Snowy Owls, and other owls. To find out about a Christmas Bird Count
near you, visit our Christmas
Bird Count pages.
About
Snowy Owls and Others
Owls
have a remarkable ability to see, hear, and hunt prey, thanks to senses
that are far superior to ours. Soft, fluffy, and fringed feathers keep
them warm in the coldest of climates. Some owls have adapted to man
and his altered habitats while others live in the most remote wildernesses.
Occasionally circumstances arise that bring these owls from the wild
closer to humans. If an owl's main food source is in short supply, it
will wander in search of prey animals.
This
is currently happening with Snowy Owls whose main source of food is
a small rodent called a lemming. Lemmings seem to be in short supply
in parts of Canada this year, so many Snowy Owls have moved south looking
for food. At least 40 Snowy Owls are being reported in the Northeastern
part of the US and the Southeastern part of Canada.
Because Snowy Owls live in the far north where daylight is long during
summer and short during the winter, they are active both day and night.
They also live in tundra where there are few or no trees, so these visitors
will sit out on perches or on the ground where they are easy to see.
Why
Owls Fascinate Humans
Adults
and children have been fascinated by the looks and habits of owls for
centuries. Owls are birds of prey. Many owls feed on rodents, which
makes them helpful to humans. We associate them with excellent vision
and hearing, since many owls are most active at night. And because of
their nocturnal habits, they are rarely seen by humans - making them
even more mysterious!
In
Greek and Roman mythology the goddess of wisdom, Pallas Athena or Minerva,
was symbolized by an owl. Owls’ keen ability to see through darkness,
obscurity, and, symbolically, through ignorance, have made them synonymous
with education and intellect. Owls are often used as graphic symbols
by libraries, publishing houses, and bookstores. The bird’s mysterious
qualities - its nocturnal habits, its calls and hoots, its silent flight,
etc - make it magical, difficult to know, and even a bit scary: the
perfect companions for young wizards.
Watching
Owls
Audubon keeps track of owls all around the country. As the Christmas
Bird Count reports are submitted and as rare bird reports come in,
we will report the results on this web site. Perhaps you'll learn about
an owl in your neighborhood, one that you and your family can travel
to visit and enjoy.
