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Is an owl really wise

Updated: 8/10/2023
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15y ago

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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. 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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16y ago
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15y ago

It depends what you understand by 'wisdom';in case you think of people in the Middle Ages or further back like the regions on the river banks of Nile, Ganges, Tigris or Chinese rivers, an owl can hardly be seen at night - only the results of an owl's hunting can be seen. 'Bios lathe' ('Don't show that you are there!') was the Greek proverb and a good piece of advice, since envy and hatred took (and take!) their toll if you did not act accordingly. The hooting of the owls arose fearful respect - a further hint to the sensation that owls are 'wise'

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13y ago

Here is some info from an owl trainer.

In captivity, snowy owls can be nervous and curious -- but never taken for granted, he added. They are not smart like a raven or a parrot, Gibb said, but they are smart enough "to do what they do perfectly."

What do they do? They hunt for food and raise families. In the arctic regions, snowy owls mostly hunt small rodents called lemmings. The more lemmings there are, the more baby owls are hatched.

The owls in the Harry Potter movies are mostly rescued owls that cannot go back into the wild. They can be trained, said Gibb, but they are not very intelligent, which makes them extremely difficult to work with.

I read a book once that stated that owls mate for life, I thought that was so CUTE! :)

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13y ago

Owls are clever, but not as clever as some people think. Usually they think owls are very clever because of its wise looking face and its quiet wing beats. Clever is how it responds to and solves problems. But owls do have very clever hunting skills. They may sit there and wait a whole night for the perfect chance to strike at their prey.

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9y ago

i dont thinck

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12y ago

yes

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What animal represents knowledge?

Biblically the serpent is very wise "Be as wise as serpents and gentle as doves." Mathew 10:16


What does as wise as an owl mean?

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What is the meaning of as wise as an owl?

the meaning of "as wise as an owl" means someone or something is very wise


What is the end of the idiom 'as wise as-'?

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It means someone is really smart. In lots of stories and myths, owls were associated with wisdom. So being "as wise as and owl" basically means you are as smart as a mythical owl genius. Fun fact: The Greek goddess Athena was the goddess of wisdom and her sacred animal is the owl.


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What are the release dates for The Wise Old Owl - 1927?

The Wise Old Owl - 1927 was released on: USA: 13 February 1927


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