Photo: Vlaamse
Broedvogelatlas
| Greek Name: | glaûx or, after its Greek call, kikkabê [German: Steinkauz] | |
| Description: | Stocky body with brown and white spots, broad head with flat top, long legs. L 23 cm. | |
| Habitat: | Common Southern European breeding bird, lives in open space and villages, breeds in tree cavities and wall holes. | |
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Behaviour:
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Nocturnal, but also frequently active by day. Wave-like, bobbing flight. Feeds on small mammals, birds, insects and earth worms. Bobs up and down and swings its body back and forth when excited. Its Greek call is 'kikkabau' (Aristophanes Birds 261). | |
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Ancient Associations:
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Sacred to Athena and known for its wisdom; appears on all Athenian coins since the 6th century. Esp. common in Attica, thus the proverbial expression " bringing owls to Athens." Believed to bring good luck when observed in flight, bad luck when seen sitting or heard screaming. Used to catch birds because smaller birds approach, harrass and pursue little owls by day (Ps.-Aristotle, History of Animals 9.619b 18ff.). See Aesop's Fable of the Owl and the Birds. |
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| Sources: |
B. Bruun/ H. Delin/L. Svenson,
Der Kosmos Vogelführer: Die Vögel Deutschlands und Europas,
10th ed. Stuttgart: Franck-Kosmos, 1993, p. 172. |
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