Among owl species living on the Northwest Coast, the great horned owl
and western screech owls are year-round residents, while the snowy owl is a
winter visitor.
The owl is a nocturnal hunting bird, a strong and silent flier with acute hearing
and vision, and a haunting call. As in other cultures, Northwest Coast people
believe that Owl has great powers of wisdom, foreknowledge and perception.
White Owl is a family crest in some regions.
Owls are powerful spirits whose presence often signifies the approach of death.
For many Kwakwaka'wakw, Owl symbolizes darkness and ancestor spirits,
and a dying person will hear an Owl call his or her name. In Tsimshian traditions,
an Owl flying overhead can foretell, or even cause, the death of those below.
A witch may appear disguised as an Owl, but an Owl may also aid a shaman
in pursuit of the good.
Perhaps because of its association with death, Owl is infrequently depicted by
artists. The Gitxsan village of Kispiox, however, features many Owl
images on its totem poles.
Owls are identified by large, round eyes; a very short, hooked beak which comes
to a V; and pointed ears, which may be prominent to emphasize acute hearing.
