Some superstitions believe the owl to be a foreshadowing of death or misfortune. The short-eared owl can turn its head 180 degrees and has incredibly keen hearing. Although most owls are noctournal hunters, the snowy owl will often hunt in broad daylight. The eagle owl, one of the largest owls, preys on other predatory birds like hawks, and was once seen carrying a full-grown fox in its talons. When introduced in Malaysia to control rat populations, each barn owl family killed 1300 rats a year.
Owls do more than just hoot.