A Parliament of Owls

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a b c Martin G.R. (1982). "An owl's eye: schematic optics and visual performance in Strix aluco L". J Comp Physiol. 145 (3): 341–349. doi: 10.1007/BF00619338. S2CID 35039625. Geodakyan V. A. (1985) Sexual dimorphism. In: Evolution and morphogenesis. (Mlikovsky J., Novak V. J. A., eds.), Academia, Praha, p. 467–477. If you’re interested in learning more about owl group names, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some of the most common owl group names for different species: What is a Pair of Owls Called? Genus Bubo – the horned owls, eagle-owls and fish-owls; paraphyletic with the genera Nyctea, Ketupa, and Scotopelia, some 25 species

The dynamics of these groups can vary depending on the species and the circumstances, but they can provide benefits such as increased hunting success or protection from predators. Photo by Robin Canfield on Unsplash Baby Owls

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There are a few potential reasons why a group of owls is called a parliament became such a well known and widely used term. However, the most likely reason is that in C.S. Lewis' 1950s book, The Chronicles of Narnia, he referred to a group of owls as a parliament. It's safe to say this book went on to be reasonably popular, so it could explain why this term became so well known and widespread. One of the etymologies offered for the name of the German folk hero Till Eulenspiegel is that it means "Mirror for Owls". Although the term has its roots in the Middle Ages, it is also possible that it was popularized further by C. S. Lewis’s book series, The Chronicles of Narnia.

The question of why a group of owls in flight is called “a silence” is an interesting one. The answer is straightforward: it is because of the owls’ remarkable ability to fly nearly silently. This ability is a necessary survival tactic for owls. A murder of crows: one of the best-known ones, with a few theories on its origin, ranging from their scavenging nature, their presence after a battle, and folk tales about crow “trials” in which the guilty “defendant” is killed by the others

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A group of owls is called a "parliament". [3] Anatomy Burrowing owl ( Athene cunicularia) Cross-eyed owl The play is set in the Kingdom of Birds ruled by the owls, with Parliament of Owls as the most powerful institution only comparable to the Royal Trees – the abode of the Royal Owl, King Tula Nyongoro. Money Bags Owl is the Royal Owl’s most trusted ally but he is corrupt, and goes grabbing every tree around. Besides he is the “sponsor” of Socialite Owl who uses her position in Parliament to push for passing of bills like the “Make-Up” Bill and works closely with Red String Puppet Owl and other sycophants in ensuring the interests of owls are protected, for instance with the passing of the Moonlight Bill. A group of barred owls is often referred to as a parliament. This is the same term used for groups of other owl species, such as great horned owls and screech owls. The origin of the term is unclear, but it may have to do with the wise and serious appearance of these birds.

One of these alternative names is wisdom, highlighting the bird’s long standing association with wisdom and insight. Another popular theory suggests that females have not been selected to be smaller like male owls because of their sexual roles. In many species, female owls may not leave the nest. Therefore, females may have a larger mass to allow them to go for a longer period of time without starving. For example, one hypothesized sexual role is that larger females are more capable of dismembering prey and feeding it to their young, hence female owls are larger than their male counterparts. [12] Another possible explanation is that owls are nocturnal creatures, and their meetings and gatherings are often held at night.According to the Apache and Seminole tribes, hearing owls hooting is considered the subject of numerous " bogeyman" stories told to warn children to remain indoors at night or not to cry too much, otherwise the owl may carry them away. [67] [68] In some tribal legends, owls are associated with spirits of the dead, and the bony circles around an owl's eyes are said to comprise the fingernails of apparitional humans. Sometimes owls are said to carry messages from beyond the grave or deliver supernatural warnings to people who have broken tribal taboos. [69] Dr. Noah Perlut, bobolink researcher, University of New England: “I’ve now studied bobolinks intensively for 14 years and, no, I’ve not heard it.” Alvarenga, Herculano M. F. & Höfling, Elizabeth (2003). "Systematic revision of the Phorusrhacidae (Aves: Ralliformes)". Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia. 43 (4): 55–91. doi: 10.1590/S0031-10492003000400001.

Duncan, James (2013). The Complete Book of North American Owls. Thunder Bay Press, San Diego. ISBN 978-1-60710-726-2. Left Strigidae: Tawny owl ( Strix aluco), Eurasian eagle-owl ( Bubo bubo), Little owl ( Athene noctua), Northern saw-whet owl ( Aegolius acadicus); Right Tytonidae: Barn owl ( Tyto alba), Lesser sooty owl ( Tyto multipunctata), Tasmanian masked owl ( Tyto novaehollandiae castanops), Sri Lanka bay owl ( Phodilus assimilis). Harrison, Colin; Greensmith, Alan (1995). Koko maailman linnut (in Finnish). Translated by Laine, Lasse J.; Nikander, Pekka. Helsinki Media. p.198. ISBN 951-875-637-6. For instance, a group of owls that are hunting together might be referred to as a “hunting party,” while a group of owls that are nesting together might be referred to as a “nesting colony.” The Yakama tribes use an owl as a totem, to guide where and how forests and natural resources are useful with management. [77] Rodent control A purpose-built owl-house or owlery at a farm near Morton on the Hill, England (2006)Chopra, Capt. Praveen (2017). Vishnu's Mount: Birds In Indian Mythology And Folklore. Notion Press. p.109. ISBN 978-1-948352-69-7. OED: Etymology: < Anglo-Norman parlement, parliment, parliament and Old French, Middle French parlement (French parlement ) discussion, conversation, meeting, negotiation (c1100),) I’ll admit that it makes sense for hunters to employ these terms. They’re out looking for groups of different kinds of animals, and I suppose I can envision a scenario in which it is more efficient to use unique terms for each set of creatures. But that logic falls apart in other parts of the list, which weren’t about “beestys” or “fowlys” at all. A “doctrine of doctors” is in there. So is “a state of princes” and an “execution of officers.” I understand that the Middle Ages were a pretty rough time, but you can’t tell me people were out there hunting groups of princes. I needed to know: Are there actual people in the real world who use special group names for certain species? Or is there just one nerd in an office somewhere with a field guide in one hand and a dictionary in the other, matching each species with a cute little term and laughing maniacally when the world collectively coos over the pairing?