The Barn Owl – A Bird that Signals Death
The barn owl, also known as the Tyto owl, is a highly intelligent and charming bird. However, in ancient Vietnam, these owls were considered evil spirits because their calls at the eaves of a house were believed to signal an impending death.
If a barn owl calls seven times, it is said to predict the death of a male, while nine calls predict the death of a female.
It is rumored that when a person is about to die, they emit a distinctive scent, which the sensitive-eared barn owl can detect and signal. Due to this belief, the haunting calls of the barn owl at night evoke a sense of dread.
Even the calls of the barn owl at night can spark discussions in the village about who might be next to die, leading people to speculate wildly. Because of the belief that these birds bring bad omens, barn owls are often disliked, driven away, and even killed.
Experts, however, have questioned the fear surrounding barn owls, with one stating, “Barn owls are not only harmless but are also beneficial for agriculture. Research shows that each year, the barn owl (Tyto alba) can eliminate 300 to 400 rodents that threaten crops.“
Dr. Vu The Khanh acknowledges that the calls of barn owls are associated with death, but he believes it is unfair to blame the owls entirely. “The reality is that even without the calls of barn owls, people will still die. Barn owls should be seen as a bell alarm, similar to how roosters crow at dawn or how rain can fall even if ants stay in their nests…“, he said.
Thus, the call of the barn owl is not a mystical phenomenon or merely an omen of misfortune. However, “whether one believes in something is a matter of personal perspective. The belief that barn owls signal death is akin to believing that the call of a cuckoo indicates a visitor is on the way, or that animals can predict the outcomes of World Cup matches…”, the expert added.
Barn owls primarily feed on rodents and various insects. When they cannot catch rodents, they may settle for lizards and other small birds. They are nocturnal hunters, typically solitary or living in pairs, and do not migrate.
Although they may appear sluggish, calm, and mysterious, barn owls are actually skilled hunters, capable of moving as fast as the wind with razor-sharp talons. In the pitch-black night, their keen eyes can spot a small rodent scurrying from hundreds of meters away.
The barn owl family is one of two families within the owl order. Several species found in Vietnam are commonly referred to as barn owls due to their calls resembling pig sounds. Barn owls are medium to large-sized owls, characterized by large heads, strong legs, and sharp talons. Their unique flat, heart-shaped faces are formed by feathers that also help in sound localization and amplification while hunting.
The feathers on the wings of barn owls are specially structured to allow silent flight, enhancing their hearing capabilities and helping them avoid detection by prey. Barn owls have backs that range from gray to brown, with lighter chests and bellies, often featuring spots.
Wild barn owls are generally smaller, and their facial discs are not heart-shaped but divided into three sections, with feathered ears. Barn owls have a wide distribution and can thrive in desert environments, forests, and regions with temperate to tropical climates. They are found everywhere except North America, the Sahara Desert, and parts of Asia.
Vietnam is home to three species of barn owls: the gray barn owl (Tyto alba stertens), the Eastern bay owl (Phodilus badius saturatus), and the brown barn owl (Tyto longimembris). The gray barn owl and brown barn owl are considered natural enemies of rodents (their primary food source) and are protected from exploitation in the wild.
The Eastern bay owl has been included in Vietnam’s Red Data Book (endangered category T – threatened). This species has aesthetic and scientific value and is a valuable genetic resource. Although the Eastern bay owl has a broad distribution, its population is small and rarely seen. Currently, it is not known how many individuals still exist in the wild.
Despite being a valuable natural predator, barn owls face discrimination due to superstitious beliefs. In Vietnamese slang, “barn owl” refers to bad people who lurk like owls and pry into others’ affairs.
The term “barn owl” is also used for those involved in illegal activities and smuggling. This unfair association makes the conservation of this species even more challenging. Globally, barn owls are regarded as unique and beautiful birds, appreciated for their quirky heart-shaped faces and striking patterned feathers.
Here are some images of barn owls – once considered the “death bird” in ancient Vietnamese beliefs:
